I was distressed to read the letter in the July 14 Levittown Tribune attacking the Town of Hempstead Republicans concerning YOM. While it is true that the town has a surplus please let's not forget that this is due to the many years of careful planning and fiscal responsibility by our Republican town councilmembers and supervisor.

While I agree that YOM needs financial assistance, the people need to understand that if the town gives YOM an extra $33,000 then must they not give a comparable increase to each and every one of the youth centers located in the Town of Hempstead? To do this would significantly reduce the town's current surplus.

The letter writer accuses the town of surplus hoarding but in fact, it is because the town has this large surplus that they have earned the highest possible bond rating. This exceptional bond rating ensures the town the best possible interest rate, which in turn allows the taxpayers many of their services with no tax increase.

Some of the services that the town is able to provide at no extra cost to the taxpayer include year round programs for our youths and senior citizens, in addition to funding community centers within the Town of Hempstead.

Although the ideal situation would be to assist all our youth agencies who are in financial need, this, unfortunately, is not practical.