(Editor's Note: This letter was originally submitted to Farmingdale Mayor George Graf and is being reprinted at the author's request.)

I am writing to advise you and the board of trustees that I will not seek reappointment as the village attorney at the reorganization meeting in April. I want to thank you and the other board members for providing me with the privilege of serving the residents of the Village of Farmingdale.

In the past two years much has been accomplished. A group of individuals who saw a need to change village government came together and made a commitment to bring that change about. With your election as mayor, together with the election of Thomas Langon and Joseph Rachiele as trustees, you were empowered to bring true leadership to our village. The new board of trustees was faced with many challenges. You met many of them head on. In these first two years we have seen management changes in the clerk's office, the department of public works and the building department. The court is being restructured to eliminate one judicial position of two. By reining in expenditures and simply saying no to past spending practices, the Village of Farmingdale is in its best fiscal position in a decade. You all have much to be proud of. The village has turned around and is now poised for a bright new future. I am glad I could play a part in this transformation.

At this point in time, I look back and realize that I have done what I initially set out to accomplish. I helped bring about an opportunity for change. The village now has a great team of special people in place. They know it is not about them but what they can do together for the benefit of our residents. I know that you, Tom and Joe will welcome the new trustees who are elected in March and will continue to work together for the best interests of our community. By embracing our village community and listening to all of its residents, you continue to restore responsible, friendly government to our village. You will all leave your mark for years to come.

I will work with you and the board until an appropriate successor is found to ensure a smooth transition for the office to which I have been appointed. The welfare of our community has always been at the centerpiece of our family's commitment to the village. It has been an honor to continue in the tradition of service inaugurated by Judge Willis Carman, Sr. 75 years ago. As always, I remain available to all of you should the need arise.

Gregory W. Carman, Jr.