I am writing you today as a parent of a child who attends Howitt Middle School. After reading your article in the blue box on last week's front page I was appalled to see the inference that there was "under-utilization of crossing guards" noted in an audit of the 8th Precinct. The HMS principal and PTA (of which I am a member on the safety committee) has been trying via letters, surveys, calls, legislator's request, village assistance for several years to secure crossing guards (plural) for the Van Cott/Grant Street/Secatogue area where the addition of the sixth grade a few years ago has created an overwhelming overflow of walkers and car traffic. We have been able to achieve painted crossing lines and some new signage with the help of the village, but no guards. Why am I particularly involved - my daughter had two personal close calls of almost being hit by cars at the intersection of Van Cott and Secatogue - where cars fly down to get to Conklin and railroad station direction.

Sylvia Claase