On behalf of the Eastern Property Owners board of directors, I would like to thank the residents of Garden City who took the time to vote "NO" in the BOCES referendum. Together with our colleagues in the Central and Estates POAs, we made every effort to inform the residents of Garden City about the unfairness of not only the $14.5 million borrowing request, but the unconscionable "bundling" of three proposals into one vote. Not only did the POAs use their financial and personnel resources, but we were very fortunate to have the support of the PTA, the Chamber of Commerce and various senior citizens groups. This community effort turned out 3,100 voters, an impressive number, considering the village has about 7,500 households.

With purely a grass roots campaign, we fought an entrenched bureaucracy with the ability to influence administrators and educators in over 50 Nassau County school districts. Yes, they turned out 5,500 votes and won the referendum, but we clearly proved that the POAs could coordinate a community-wide effort, when the common good is at stake. Our system works and will continue to work so long as concerned residents are willing to volunteer their time to preserve our unique system of government.

Nicholas P. Episcopia

President

Eastern Property Owners Association of Garden City Inc.