This is the time of year when our politicians like to brag about how they have kept the tax rate down. In some cases to no raise in the last year or years. The cost of living index has been going up about 3 percent per year for the last couple of years. Therefore the taxes would normally be expected to go up a like amount. (All other things being equal.) One of two things is taking place, or has taken place. Either there was waste in previous years or things that should be done this year are not going to be done.

I'll take just one subject to examine. The condition of our roads. Our roads in most of the villages and in the Town of North Hempstead are a disgrace to the civilized world. There are potholes and rough spots that go for weeks and months without being repaired. The center lines are completely obliterated in many places. This is particularly bad on curves and hilly areas. One place in particular is Manhasset Woods Road between Park Avenue and Stonytown Road. Again on Mill Spring Road. This is to name only two of a great many places.

The lack of adequate street lighting. The Village of Flower Hill seems to have none at all. How cheap can you get? Parts of major local through roads such as Shelter Rock Road, Plandome Road, and numerous others have spotty lighting. Yet oddly enough there is a section of Shelter Rock Road just north of Hamilton Park that is super lighted. Why this waste?

The rough condition of the roads costs the taxpayers a great deal of money in wear and tear on their cars. Probably far more than it would cost to repair the roads. The lack of center lines can contribute to serious accidents. How much would it cost to repaint them? How much is a life worth? The lack of lights makes for accidents and the potential for deaths.

So much for this subject.

Eugene W. Garges Jr.