Last week, we received the Hicksville Fire District's newsletter. We find we must respond publicly in the Hicksville Illustrated News because the Hicksville Fire Commissioners continue to withhold information about the district's budget and the Station 2 rebuilding cost estimate, which has more than doubled. They continue to concoct stories that everything is fine with the families living in the immediate area of Briggs Street and they are moving forward with the demolition and rebuilding of Station 2, which will come at great expense not only to the surrounding homes but to every taxpayer in Hicksville.

Here are some statements from the most recent fire district newsletter followed by the actual truth and facts that were omitted from the newsletter.

Excerpt from Hicksville Fire District: "Since funds have been set aside in reserve accounts to cover the costs of building projects such as this, there will be no need for bond issues and dramatic tax increases to pay for the work as the project moves forward."

Truth: The 2005 budget, which was voted on and adopted Aug. 24 is now $6,090,500. This is an increase of approximately $1,500,000 - more than 30 percent, and is most certainly dramatic! The Hicksville Fire District now has the largest budget of any fire district in the Town of Oyster Bay.

Truth: The estimated cost for rebuilding Station 2, according to Triton Construction (July 27, 2004) is $5,256,696 (not including furnishings, window treatments, gym equipment and several other items) and calls for a bond of $5, 256,696.

This is simply outrageous. An estimated $6 million station on a parcel too small for a home, for 27 volunteers!

The Hicksville Fire District is also spending almost $3 million for six new fire trucks! And there is a pending judgment against the Fire District for approximately $750,000.

The original impetus for rebuilding Station 2 was the desire for a larger meeting room, larger kitchen and a gym for the volunteers. Currently, three full-size gyms exist between Stations 1,3 and 4. The actual gym sign-in sheets show that since Jan. 1, 2004, on the average, just two people per day use each gym.

So, tell me - does it make sense for Hicksville taxpayers to pay over $6 million to build a meeting room and a gym when the current facilities that have been built with taxpayer money are underutilized? The other costs (judgment and new fire trucks) when added in, total almost 10 million dollars!

If you are concerned about rising taxes and where your tax dollars are going, please come to the Hicksville Garden Civic Association's meeting on Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. sharp at the Hicksville Public Library Kenneth Barnes Community Room. Invited guests include members of the Briggs Neighborhood Committee and Hicksville Fire Commissioners.

If you have never attended a community or civic meeting before, this is the one you really need to attend. Your participation will make a difference!

Representatives of the Briggs Neighborhood Committee

Linda and Dave Quackenbush

Terry and Gary Tietjen

RoseMarie and Herb Ehrich

Adam and Andrea Kounas