As quoted on page 25 in the Jan. 26, 2000 edition of the Mineola American, our village Trustee Elizabeth Conlon stated: "We don't owe anything to the businesses, only the residents."

As the owner of the Jericho Terrace, I have been an active member of the Mineola business community for over 25 years. Every year, I pay taxes in excess of $1 million, which is to support schools, parks and government services throughout Mineola. Without the tax dollars and employment opportunities provided by the Mineola business community, the village would be quite a different place to live.

Trustee Conlon's comment is an insult not only to the business community, but to the intelligence of the voters of this village.

Nicholas Leone

Ed. Note: Trustee Conlon's comments were related to fund raising the Hometown Party does. She was speaking as a party representative and not as a spokesperson for the village government.