This past Saturday the Farmingdale Community Summit hosted its Fourth Annual Farmingdale Reads presentation, and this year's guest speaker was Mitch Albom, author of The Five People You Meet in Heaven. The theme of his speech was this year's Reads' theme: Making a Difference. I send my congratulations and thanks to the Summit and especially its Reads' Committee for all of its volunteer work in promoting literacy in the Farmingdale community. Mr. Albom's remarks gave me reason to think about all the people who make a difference in Farmingdale, and what else can be done to make a bigger difference. The Summit is just one of the wonderful groups in this area that make Farmingdale a great place to live, work and play. The level of community commitment that exists in Farmingdale definitely sets it apart from other communities. We are fortunate to have them and they certainly do make a difference.

The village administration itself has been assisted for years by volunteer committees, and we remain committed to assisting existing committees and forming additional committees, as needed, to further our mission to maximize the quality of life in our beautiful village. As I have stated in my previous columns, I feel that our Main Street is not just a street in the heart of town. It is a very special place that is the face and calling card of our village. It has retained a special charm and character that most towns on Long Island lost over the years. It brings visitors and shoppers to our village from Massapequa, East Farmingdale and beyond.

Much of the village's unique charm is a direct result of the work of the Village Beautification Committee. This devoted group of community members is responsible for maintaining five major gardens throughout the Village, spearheading the planter box program and suggesting other ways to improve the esthetic quality of our Village. Village trustee Ted Dorfmeister, our gazebo project chairman, has recently been appointed the board's liaison for this committee. We are actively seeking volunteers from the Farmingdale and North Massapequa area to be part of the committee. The committee is holding a meeting for all those who are interested on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall. I encourage you to attend and become part of this important group that helps put a beautiful smile on the face of the village.

We are also in the process of forming a Traffic Safety Committee whose mission will be to identify traffic safety issues and bring them to the attention of the village Board for prompt review and resolution. Another committee that we are actively seeking volunteers for is the Redevelopment Committee. This group will look into ways to revitalize areas of the village and will work with the village board to develop projects which will enhance our quality of life.

If you are interested in joining one of these committees or would like more information, please call village hall at 249-0093 or come to our next village board work session (Feb. 8 at 12:30 p.m.) or our next trustees meeting (Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m.) You can make a difference!