This past week I read your letter [column] to the Village of Farmingdale community. The Latino residents of the village have these questions for you.

1. Whose quality of life have you improved?

2. Who benefits from the patrolling of the streets and the tickets that you give?

3. Do the Latino businesses on Conklin St. benefit when not one customer can stop to get a cup of coffee without getting a $100 ticket?

4. Does our community benefit when you constantly mention gang activity and gang crime with the undercurrent message that there is a Latino cause and effect factor?

5. Did the tenants at 150 Secatogue Ave. benefit from your administration? The tenants filed suit with Hofstra against the landlord. The organized tenants were responsible for all the minimal and cosmetic repairs that were done. The village wasn't even remotely connected with that result, except for doing a "walk-through inspection" that just barely met the recommendations of Nassau County Judge Fairgreave. Initially, the village didn't even cooperate with the judge when asked to furnish the inspection report that was completed after the water main break. It would almost seem that the village was helping the landlord of 150 Secatogue Ave. and not an advocate for its residents.

6. The Latino community would also like to know what you meant by wanting to return Conklin Street to the way it was 15 years ago. Can you be more specific?

7. What have these groups that are trying to get to "at-risk children" done so far? Have they really made a dent in the Latino community? Have you found any "at-risk children"? How many have been helped?

8. Are you going to open up your home when 200 people become homeless?

Mr. Mayor, the Latino children in Farmingdale will never forget what your administration has done to them. They have seen how their parents have been victimized by their landlord and by the village. This is a constant topic of discussion even among the children. It's very upsetting to see 8-year-olds worried about where they are going to live, instead of them being focused on their studies.

My husband and I will never forget when you stopped by our house the weekend before you got elected and said to us, "Even if I don't get elected I would like to work with you (La Casa Comunal)." Well Mr. Mayor, we are still waiting.

Cristina Ruiz Diaz

President of HOLA Latino Americans of Farmingdale