For the first time in the 23 years during which I have occupied the building at the corner of School Street and Dosoris Way, I have found it necessary to place a sign in my window for a reason other than to promote my business. I have done so now, because I feel that after attending school board meetings over the last few years, my outrage at the attitude of the long- and well-entrenched majority members of that board can no longer be suppressed.

Year after year, excuse after excuse, the budget relentlessly rises, forcing property taxes higher and higher. These increases, both in good times and in bad, seem always to be a greater percentage than either the cost of living or the rise in incomes of the taxpayers who finance the school system. As just one example of this reckless spending, how many of you know that the school board has squandered tens of thousands of your hard-earned tax dollars for a public relations firm to try to bolster the sagging image of the Glen Cove school system? Why? It hasn't made a difference at all, nor could it. Neither performance nor perception has improved.

As further proof of how inept the money management ability of the majority members of the school board are, consider the additional $900,000 per year income provided by the additional 3 percent sales tax we in Glen Cove pay on our gas, electric, and telephone bills unbeknownst to most people. Other school districts don't have this income, and they manage to survive.

Are we to believe that all school districts are paying 20 percent more this year for transportation?

And then there is the matter of compensation: there are more than 20 people in the school administration getting paid over $100,000 each, plus benefits, etc. etc. The superintendent will be making "at least" twice as much ($150,000); plus benefits, etc., etc. as our 24 hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week mayor! Enough is enough!

The only thing one can infer from this irresponsible spending is that the people in charge do not have any idea how to run a business or any other organization where the efficient use of limited funds is involved. They believe they have the ability to raise unlimited amounts of money, via our property taxes, as they have had in the past. They are simply not concerned with watching our money. I am, and we all should be. For a much-needed change, vote on May 16 for the most dedicated and qualified candidate, Dr. Rodger Silletti, and vote "no" for the budget and accompanying 9 percent tax hike.

Richard Smith

Ed. Note: Mr. Smith is the proprietor of The Piano Exchange.