Let's face it, we have all experienced the disturbing events occurring in our town i.e. the speeders, the graffiti, the seedy individuals roaming the streets, robberies, gangs...the list goes on. I, for one, am extremely dismayed over what's transpiring. I love this village and don't want to leave it. Over the past 20 years it has become a very special place to me, my family and my friends.

The question now becomes "what can we do to save Mineola?" Pure and simple, if we want to save this village we need our own police department - one whose only responsibility will be to improve and protect our quality of life.

The Nassau County Police Dept. simply can't do it with the assets they have. It has been stated that the NCPD cannot be faulted for insufficiently addressing our issues because they suffer a lack of resources caused by cutbacks.

OK. I'll buy that.

So where does that leave us?

That leaves us nowhere.

That leaves us with problems that will not be resolved.

But we do have an option.

Let's take the money we're paying Nassau County, for the inadequate protection we now get, and use it more prudently.

I think it's safe to say that in light of the rise in the cost of living, coupled with our already inflated taxes, the NCPD staffing problems are not going to improve.

In fact, they could even worsen. Mayor Martins has assembled a special task force to investigate the details and report on the feasibility of having our own department. Let's listen hard to what they have to say. In my opinion, if it makes sense, we have no other choice.

Ladies and gentlemen, we need to confront the harsh reality of these trying times and stand for what we believe in. The future of Mineola could very well rest in our hands.

Jay Monaco