In voting down the school budget, surely those who think that too much is being spent on public education in Manhasset, or that money is being spent the wrong way, have made their point. However, if the next proposed school budget is voted down, our school district will be on "austerity." Austerity is a legally-mandated program of drastic cuts.

Being on austerity would negatively influence the value of our homes for years to come. It's kind of like the neutron bomb. The young couple who drive up to a Manhasset "For Sale" house will see nothing toxic but, in fact, will probably not even bother to stop and bid because we would be a school district on austerity. Part of a lovely home for them is a school district not in crisis.

It's one thing to have potential young homebuyers think that Ronald Reagan's "Shining City on a Hill" has turned out to be - of all places - Garden City, but surely we will not be foolish enough to blow off our other foot by being on austerity.

James H. McGivney