I must say I am stunned and appalled by the disregard the Hicksville Fire Commissioners have for the residents in this town. I attended the "Public Meeting" on April 14. In Commissioner Robert Dwyer's opening statements he advised the 12 residents attending that they would not be permitted to speak at the meeting.

What followed next was Commissioner's Dwyer's interpretation of the events surrounding Station 2. He feels:

• Commissioners have answered all our questions;

• Supervisor Venditto has not responded to his request to meet regarding the sump; and that

• There is sufficient parking despite the proposed increase in the size of the building.

After months of saying a committee would be formed that would consist of a few residents and the commissioners the motion to rebuild Station 2 was put forth in the first 10 minutes of the meeting by Commissioner Joseph Giardina, but the shocker was - without a committee! This motion was immediately seconded by Commissioner Anthony Wigdzinski.

Many of our questions have not been answered. In fact a letter sent by residents regarding a petition for a permissive referendum (which would give taxpayers a right to vote on whether or not to expand Station 2) on March 30 to the board of commissioners has not yet been answered. Also, why won't they look at other sites to build a larger more functional fire station?

The excuse has been that the firehouse must remain within the "membership area." What happens when members move from the membership area? Do we move the fire station closer to them? The rulebook states that the fire district should reevaluate the district to be sure the needs of the entire community are met. Seems to me southeast Hicksville could use a fire station instead of expanding sub-Station 2.

The public forums held by the fire district did not permit the dialogue necessary to plan, build and move forward. The current board of fire commissioners seems unable and unwilling to engage in any type of dialogue with the community. This is our taxpayer money - $4 million of it!

Joan Healey