During the past few months, the Mineola American has published full-page advertisements and "Open Messages," purchased by Long Island Checker Cab of Mineola. These advertisements purport to inform residents of the village about a grievance, which Long Island Checker has with the village concerning the issuance of taxi licenses.

The advertisements have particularly singled out Deputy Mayor Louis Santosus, Jr. and Trustees Elizabeth A.J. Conlon and Maryanne Warnecke for criticism, inasmuch as these members of the Mineola Village Board voted against the issuance of some 14 new taxi licenses for this company.

In my opinion, the advertisements of Checker Cab constituted a blatant attempt by a commercial enterprise to influence the outcome of the recent elections held in the village. As a result, I believed it to be in the best interest of the village and the best way to protect and preserve the integrity of the election for me to refrain from commenting on the political campaign of Checker Cab.

Now that the elections are over, however, I shall speak my mind.

When the cab company's criticism is directed at Deputy Mayor Santosus and Trustees Conlon and Warnecke, the impression is created that only these three persons opposed the licenses sought. However, although I could not attend the meeting at which the vote on the matter took place due to a past illness, I wish to categorically state that I would have voted with my fellow board members to deny the applications. Let me tell you why.

In the past, the village had experienced serious problems concerning the conduct of taxicab companies. A call to one company was often intercepted by another company and sometimes two different cabs showed up at a home to pick up a resident. Needless to say, this type of circumstance led to conflicts and placed our residents in undesired and, sometimes, unsafe situations. Furthermore, the taxi scene at the train station was one of chaos. Drivers from different companies were often fighting over a fare, and patrons were placed in dangerous positions when all they were trying to do was get a cab ride home. We often had to call the police to the scene.

The village board at the time addressed the serious and unsafe taxi problems in Mineola by enacting a Taxi Law, which regulates the licensing of taxi services when taxi trips are made from point to point within the village. The board set the maximum number of taxies necessary to provide safe and convenient service for point to point trips in Mineola and carefully screened and regulated the qualifications of drivers to be licensed, the safety of vehicles used and the rates to be charged. The one-time dangerous taxi situation in Mineola, as a result of this careful regulation, has disappeared.

Long Island Checker Cab applied to the village for additional licenses. However, based upon concerns of safety and public convenience, the Village's Taxi Law was applied and the village board's limitation on the number of licenses in Mineola was reaffirmed. Long Island Checker was advised that its applications would be placed upon a waiting list and, as medallions for taxis were surrendered or become available in the future, its applications would be considered at that time.

Long Island Checker appealed this decision of the Mineola Board of Trustees to the Supreme Court, but that court affirmed the village's actions and upheld the denial of the licenses.

Later on, Long Island Checker applied again for 14 additional licenses, even though outstanding medallions had not been surrendered. The village clerk properly denied the application. An appeal was made to the board of trustees to overturn the village clerk's decision. But the board affirmed the decision as proper and as being in accord with the Taxi Law and the prior decision of the Supreme Court. Long Island Checker has now sued again.

It is interesting to note that in preparation for the Long Island Checker appeal before the board of trustees, village representatives conducted a compliance study concerning the company. On six separate occasions, Long Island Checker was called to provide point to point service as a test case in Mineola. On the first occasion, an unlicensed taxi was sent. Also, on the second occasion, an unlicensed taxi was sent. In fact, of the six times that a taxi was called, an unlicensed and illegal taxi was sent on each and every occasion. It is clear that this company has no respect for Mineola's laws. This is not the type of company we need or want in this village.

Long Island Checker, in a desperate attempt to create a smoke screen concerning its violations of Mineola's laws, has undertaken a political campaign to defame the integrity of the deputy mayor and two trustees, claiming some sort of political ploy and cronyism are behind the decision of the board of trustees to deny the licenses sought. That type of campaign will not work. I shall defend to my last breath the integrity of Deputy Mayor Louis Santosus and Trustees Elizabeth A.J. Conlon and Maryanne Warnecke in this matter.

The entire issue is now in the hands of the Nassau County Supreme Court. I am confident as to the outcome.

There is a "new pharmaceutical- alliance that offers savings to limited income seniors on more than 150 medicines through one free card."

The card, Together Rx, permits Medicare enrollees without public or private prescription drug coverage and with incomes of up to $28,000 (single) or $38,000 for couples to obtain savings from 20 to 40 percent off the cost that they usually pay for prescription drugs.

There is no cost to enroll in this program. To apply for the Together Rx card you can complete the application by going on-line at www.Together-Rx.com or by calling

1-800-865-7211 for an application.

As the Village of Mineola prepares for this summer's activities at the pool and in the park, the following positions are still open:

Head Counselors for the Summer Recreation Camp - 18 years and older

Counselors for the Summer Recreation Camp - 18 years and older

If you are interested in any of these positions, please call Suzanne Skaflestad at 742-1715 for further information

Lifeguards - 16 years and older; must be Nassau County certified with current CPR/First Aid certification.

Senior Pool Attendants - 18 years and older

Supervisors (Pool) - 23 years and older

If you are interested in any of these positions at the pool, please call Kyle Teemsma at 746-0753.

More than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year. According to statistics from the American Cancer Society, when detected early, these cancers can have a cure rate of about 90 percent. In an effort to maintain the health and well-being of the community, Winthrop-University Hospital will conduct its 10th annual Free Skin Cancer Screening on May 9. The screenings will be held at 222 Station Plaza North in Mineola from 5 to 9 p.m., are free, but appointments are required.

The screening consists of a full-body examination conducted by a Winthrop-University Hospital dermatologist. It is intended to provide early detection of skin cancers. Call 516-663-8301 weekdays from 9 a.m.- noon for an appointment.

The spring session for the Senior Recreation Program will begin the first week in May. Registration is on going for the following classes:

Wednesdays: Beginning May 1 through June 5

Tai Chi Class: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Cost for six weeks: $20

Instructor: Sarah

Line Dancing Class: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Cost for six weeks: $20

Instructor: Barbara

Fridays: May 3, May 10 and May 17

Craft Course: "Make and Take"

Cost for three weeks: $30 (includes materials)

Instructor: Joanna

Each week a different craft project will be taught that you will be able to make and take home with you that day. No sewing is required for any of these projects.

If you are interested in enrolling in any of these courses, please call Kyle at 746-0753 for a registration form to be mailed to you. The deadline for registration is Friday, April 26.

Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays - 6 - 9 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

In person registration is done during these hours by appointment only. Please call the Leisure Pass Office at 746-2326 to schedule an appointment. All 2001 members need only to mail in their application with payment and the proper documentation (please refer to your application).

Deadline for Early Registration is May 15. After that date the cost for a Leisure Pass will increase from $5 to $8 and the cost for a "Caretakers" pass will increase from $50 to $58.

Please remember that it takes up to five days to process your application. You will need your Leisure Pass to gain entry to the pool which opens on June 15.