I am writing with regard to the front page story in the Jan. 21 issue. The focus of the article was the Lee Place walkway in the Arlyn Oaks area of Massapequa. Bob Schilling, a district administrator, defended the position of the school board members who voted 2-2, thus failing to change the 34-year-old policy of using the Lee Place walkway in calculating mileage for busing.

It is my hope that Mr. Schilling was misquoted in stating his position. I found the remarks to be a bit disconcerting, particularly his characterization of the many opinions of local, county and state elected officials as merely a "politician's opinion." I'm not sure what the point was but I got the feeling that he was saying my opinion doesn't really matter because I'm, well - a politician. The fact remains that I am an elected official representing more than 125,000 residents in a democracy that requires politicians to give opinions. I do so by voting, by representing my community, and by advocating for causes I believe in. I realize that I can't please everyone all the time on the votes I make, the opinions I express, and the positions I take, but at least I take them and I try my best not to straddle the fence. And yes, my opinions change from time to time when I am persuaded by people that it is right to do so. That is part of what democracy is about.

I happen to agree with a great deal of the opinions and decisions of the Massapequa School Board when it comes to educating our children. However, reasonable people can disagree on an issue and continue their professional relationship, keeping the best interest of the community in mind. I have made my opinion clear. There is no legal mandate in NYS Education Law for the district to utilize the Lee Place walkway for calculating mileage. The Town has made it clear that the walkway would remain open for those who choose to use it. In 1997 I worked diligently with the distinguished late State Senator Norman Levy to elicit an opinion from NYS Education Commissioner Richard Mills. Therein he stated that it is "eminently reasonable" for the district to calculate mileage along routes that buses travel upon, although he was reluctant to impose his opinion on the district. Commissioner Mills and the state Supreme Court made it clear that it was at the discretion of the district whether or not to use the walkway when calculating mileage.

It was with a great deal of effort that the Arlyn Oaks community made the district concede that it is only an opinion of the school's attorney, and the school board to utilize this path in calculating mileage. It has been determined that the district is not forced by state law, or the State Education Department to use this pathway which deprives this neighborhood of the busing they rightfully deserve. It is and still remains the opinion of many "politicians" that the pathway should not be used to calculate mileage.

My point is very simple: safety is not the only issue. The issue is that it was an arbitrary opinion and not the law that has imposed this pathway upon the community. However, opinions change. It used to be the unanimous opinion of the school board that kept this policy in place. Because the vote is tied at 2-2, the future of this measure lies in the hands of Trustee Arlene Martin, who holds the tie-breaking vote.

Steven L. Labriola

NYS Assemblyman