First I would like to say to Ms. Fridman, "Wow and why now?" You stated in your letter, "In response, we were told that we just didn't belong - that we were outsiders in our community." That's a lot of "we and our." However, that is not true and we reiterated that over and over again. To quote myself, I stated "I would like to clear up a couple of wrong impressions; I do not want our town to be portrayed as a community of bigots. We are not fighting religion vs. religion. We are not saying that our beliefs are more important or better than any other beliefs. We are fighting to keep our traditions. The traditions that have been a part of this community for decades. Again, redundantly, we are not a divided community. Please don't portray us as that."

You also stated "I don't mean defend our position on the concert, but I mean defend us against the hurtful insinuation that we were out to hurt New Hyde Park, that we were immoral and were outsiders?" Who is us and we? Where on earth did that come from? That's a very divided comment and also entirely not true.

Please also inform this community who "our" applies to. What are you trying to say? This community bonded to save the traditions that this community was based upon. That's it. Many families did a neighborhood search and decided this is what we wanted our families to join and be a part of. Something has to be said for the thousands who signed the petition and the more than 300 residents who endured the 90 degree plus heat that August 13th night.

You chose to move here and from what I perceived from your letter when your children began school it was then time to change things to suit your beliefs. You also stated, "I ask that you ask yourself whether an example founded in prejudice and intolerance, is what you want to set for your children." You were the one who started writing letters for 10 years. What made you move here? Is this why you chose this town? You obviously are showing the intolerance. Tolerance means to join or welcome. Diversity is in our town. Why would you start this up again? I could go on forever about our founding fathers and what this country was built on and how our traditions have made America what it is today, our wreaths and tree lighting at town hall. And if you wish to pursue this matter I honestly gladly and without hesitation will do so. As I am sure at this moment this paper is getting inundated with letters. But it is truly my hope that it stops here.

Michele Chambers