During all the years I served as an officer in the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps (MVAC) I was careful to avoid giving my personal endorsement to political candidates because I was concerned that my endorsement might be taken as an MVAC endorsement. I want to make it very clear to everyone that the Corps does not endorse political candidates. In fact, when I ran for village trustee two years ago (I was not an officer in the Corps that year), I did not ask for¬nor did the Corps give¬its endorsement.

Most political candidates are aware that MVAC responds to over 1,000 emergency medical calls per year and MVAC has a positive impact on the lives of thousands of Mineola residents. Often candidates seek the Corps' endorsement. However, MVAC is a charitable organization, not a political organization and it has always realized that it should not endorse political candidates. The members and officers of MVAC know that the Corps is here to serve the Mineola community by providing the best pre-hospital medical care possible. Period.

This year I am not an officer in the Corps, but because so many residents so closely identify me with MVAC, I want to make it clearly understood that the following is my own personal endorsement and not that of MVAC.

In every election I vote for the candidate who I think is the most qualified for the position and who will do the most good for Mineola, the community, I am proud to say, I have lived in for the last 27 years. I have never been a member of any national party and I ignore the candidate's party affiliation. I simply vote for whoever will do the best job for Mineola and I am asking you to do the same.

This year there are three outstanding candidates who, I am convinced, are the best for Mineola. They are (in alphabetical order): Michael Balboni (Republican); Carolyn McCarthy (Democrat); and Maureen O'Connell (Republican.)

I have done a lot of research. I've spoken with them; I've been to their offices; I've been to their campaign headquarters; I've donated to their campaigns; and I've even been to their homes or they have visited mine. I feel very strongly that these three candidates have already done a great deal for Mineola and if re-elected will continue to do so. They are the best for Mineola.

On Election Day I will ignore their party affiliations and I will vote for all three of them. Again, I ask you to do the same. If you are a Democrat, I ask you to cross-over and vote for Michael Balboni and Maureen O'Connell as well as for Carolyn McCarthy. If you are a Republican, I ask you also to cross-over and vote for Carolyn McCarthy as well as for Michael Balboni and Maureen O'Connell. They are the best for Mineola and their party affiliations should not prevent you from voting for all three of them. They know each other, respect each other and will continue to work well together as representatives of Mineola.

I ask all my friends, I ask everyone who supported me two years ago, I even ask those of you who did not, and those of you who do not know me yet, to ignore party affiliation, to vote for what is best for Mineola and to vote for the candidates who put Mineola first.

Please join me on Election Day, Nov. 3, in voting for Balboni, McCarthy and O'Connell. Vote Smart, Vote Mineola!

Larry A. Speciner