I wish to give my heartfelt thanks to all the people in the township of Oyster Bay who supported my candidacy for Town Clerk in last week's election. In particular, I wish to thank Senator Chuck Schumer and conservationist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for their generous personal endorsements recognizing my community leadership.

I also want to congratulate Steve Labriola on his victory and thank him for conducting a fair and open exchange of views during our debates.

To my many friends who donated money, we raised our thrifty target of $10,000 and I will not be coming back to you for more, (this time around anyway, but who knows what the future may hold).

To the rushing commuters I met at train stations at 6 a.m. in the morning and the busy shoppers I talked with at supermarkets, I want to thank you for pausing to speak with me about your concerns. I was informed and energized by your feedback.

In managing The Little Garage, specializing in maintenance of German cars, I continue to be a practical problem-solver.

To continue in my civic activist mission, I offer my assistance in cutting red tape, and shining a spotlight of accountability on local government. You can always reach me at info@littlegarage.com or on my cell (516) 606-8053.

To the thousands of people who voted for me, I urge you to stay involved in the political process, to be environmentally aware and continue to act as civic watchdogs. Sooner or later we will tip the balance and adopt sustainable Smart Growth initiatives to reduce taxes throughout the region.

Matthew T. Meng