As we all go about our daily lives, many of us think ahead to the "golden years," a time we have been promised will be an opportunity to enjoy the fruits of our labor, as we spend more time with our families and our hobbies during our retirement. As life expectancy has risen with medical progress, unfortunately, so has the anticipated age when most of us can retire. And the cost of living has made it difficult to enjoy retirement when it comes.

One way the Village of Farmingdale has been able to help its senior citizens in the past has been through our Senior Taxi Discount Program, a joint effort between the Village and LI Yellow Cab. This program allowed seniors to obtain vouchers from Village Hall and then pay 75 cents for a cab ride, with the village paying an additional 75 cents. However, due to substantial increases in operating costs, LI Yellow Cab informed the Village, at our November Trustees' meeting, that they were raising rates from $3.50 to $4, and would be eliminating the Senior Taxi Discount Program.

The board and I listened carefully to the cab company's explanation that their annual insurance premiums increased $2,000 per car, auto parts and tires have increased 40 percent and the cost of gas and oil is at an all time high. The proposed normal fare increase seemed reasonable to us. Saving the senior discount was a more complicated issue. While we recognized the company's position, we were determined to be able to offer our seniors a discount off the regular fare.

Village Clerk John Giordano, after meeting with officials of the cab company, was able to negotiate terms that would enable the seniors in Farmingdale to continue to enjoy a reduced fare for rides within Farmingdale Village. The new fare for any senior (62 years of age and older) is now $1.50. The Village has agreed to pay a subsidy to the cab company so that our seniors can still enjoy a reduced fare savings. We also eliminated the cost, expense and inconvenience of obtaining ticket books from Village Hall. The only requirement is for seniors to show the driver proof that they are 62 years old or older. I would like to also make all seniors aware that the special fare is also good for rides to the following destinations outside the incorporated village: SUNY Farmingdale, Farmingdale Library and both movie theaters on Route 110.

The board and I are pleased to be able to continue to make this reduced fare program available to our seniors within the Village, and thank the LI Yellow Cab Company for working with us to preserve this valuable service.