I have read the article by Ellen Thompson relating to residents' complaints on the infringement of the Parthmark Supermarket upon their quality of life. I would like to take this opportunity to state that, although I do not live directly behind the Pathmark store, I am only one-half mile north, just off William Street. I find the new Pathmark store a 100 percent upgrade over the empty building trucks on the grounds, as well as people dumping all kinds of items, including garbage in the parking areas made for a most undesirable situation.

Since the opening of the Pathmark store, this area has a great new look of cleanliness and is free of garbage dumping the parking lot. It is also well lighted to prevent just such actions on the part of uncaring persons. I am a disabled person and I visit this store fairly often in my electric wheelchair. I find the parking lot is well tended to and is free of debris and well marked for traffic. This was not the case when Pergament was the tenant. I might add that I have never noticed any obnoxious odors from the area as I ride through on my electric wheelchair.

Based on what was in the article by Ellen Thompson, it would appear to me that the manager of Pathmark and Mr. Hudes have performed remarkably well in trying to please all the families who reside behind their store. The complaints of smelling "frying chicken" seems rather weak when all around us we smell the cooking of everything from chicken to hamburgers, steak, etc. from our own and neighbors outdoor barbecue grills. The amount of money spent by Pathmark in trying to adhere to the requests of the nearby homeowners is indicative of their desire to be "good neighbors" and should be commended.

It would also seem that purchasing a home next to any commercial enterprise whether it be Pergament, Pathmark or whoever, would be done with the risk involved. Somewhat like purchasing a home near the airport and then complaining about the air traffic or noise.

As a homeowner in the Bethpage community for over 35 years, I would also like to cheer the arrival of the Pathmark store which enhances the area for us rather than have a low income housing development built causing a lowering or our real estate values for which we have all worked so hard to obtain and cherish.

I hope that when all is said and done, the people who are complaining will realize that Pathmark and Mr. Hudes and other town officials have been doing an exemplary job in seeing that all of us are adequately represented in addressing this issue.

Please note that I am not a friend of Mr. Hudes or of the Pathmark manager. I am just a satisfied neighbor.

James Hearty