With reference to the letters of Dr. Nogan and Mr. Hudes in last week's Levittown Tribune I would like to clarify some of the statements that were made. Firstly, I must say in rebuttal that I was making an attempt in my letter to seek out the Republican position on the surplus and its possible applications to private agencies in need of help like YOM.

With all due respect to Dr. Nogan, her comments are duly noted, but she is not running for office. Mr. Hudes is running for a town council seat and as such is accountable for his statements in a far more compelling way. I would have expected Dr. Nogan's measured response to my letter, but I feel Mr. Hudes has gone just a bit overboard in his Republican machine doublespeak.

Firstly, the number of councilman aide positions were negotiated by the Democrats and Republicans shortly after the last town board election. I would add that these positions were sharply reduced since the Democrats won three seats. Ms. Bosco's position as aide to Councilwoman Kestenbaum includes a great deal of constituent service, and as such has devoted much time to individual concerns.

Ms. Bosco works for the people of the Town of Hempstead, and Mr. Hudes' effort to politicize her position is patently absurd. I would be very careful if I were a Republican to use the term "patronage" loosely and with negative connotation.

Secondly, a 73 percent increase in YOM's budget doesn't seem so bad when you are sitting on a $50 million surplus, and the requested increase is a mere $33,000. I would think the interest alone on the surplus could adequately protect the taxpayers.

Thirdly, I assume by his response to my letter that Mr. Hudes would have voted "no" to Ms. Kestenbaum's proposal as did the majority party. I have seen bumper stickers supporting Mr. Hudes saying "another family for Gary Hudes." I suppose he does not need or want the support of those families who could use the help that alcohol or drug abuse services might provide.