I wish to take this opportunity to thank the residents of the 19th Assembly District for their support in my re-election last week.

As I walked door to door through the communities of my district I was able to listen firsthand to the concerns of my constituents regarding many issues.

In January when I return to Albany for the legislative session, I wish to assure them that one of my foremost priorities will be the reform of the legislative process and that is a goal I will be working towards.

I welcome the opportunity I have been given to continue representing the citizens of the 19th Assembly District for the next two years.

In response to the article written by Island Trees Superintendent James Parla in the Nov. 5 edition of the Levittown Tribune, I feel Mr. Parla did not grasp the true flavor of the meeting. Let me clear up some items Mr. Parla mentioned and others that he avoided.

First, the superintendent failed to mention that my questioning of the Island Trees Board of Education dealt with possible procedural failures that the board ignored. One being the proper posting of such a major change to the district [the rededication of the Island Trees Middle School to the Richard N. Segerdahl Middle School]. This posting is so the community as a whole could be made aware of the board's decision. Second, that the board may have overstepped their jurisdiction and did not have the right to make such a change. And third, this decision may be a failure of the board to look out for the best interest of the community.

The article made it seem as if it was my opinion that the school was named in honor of our soldiers that gave the ultimate sacrifice. When in fact, it was dedicated a "memorial school." It was not dedicated a memorial building. How anyone can argue that point is absurd. It is carved into the building, "The Island Trees Memorial School." If they wish, I have community members and an uncle who were at the original dedication back in the 1950s and would testify to that. Adding Mr. Segerdahl's name to it is a disgrace to those who gave their lives.

My questioning the hiring of an interim principal had to do with the search, interview process and qualifications of the person chosen. Mr. Goldstein, to my knowledge, has never been a principal and has not been a building administrator for over 20 years. To entrust this man with our children was the basis of my concern. I don't know how Mr. Parla can say there was not enough time for a search or no availability of good candidates if they didn't look.

I also do not remember any parents commenting on the great job Mr. Goldstein is doing. And mentioning two staff members, under Mr. Goldstein, who made positive comments does not prove a thing about his qualifications. I have heard that other staff members are not so pleased with his work.

We are looking for support in our efforts to rename the Island Trees Middle School back to it's "memorial" status. The next board meeting is on Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. at the Gallo School.