I have been a resident of Mineola for 55 and a half years. I can remember a Mineola where we could walk to school with our friends without parents worrying about perverts and abductions; where there was always a vacant, grassy lot for a stickball game; where you could actually have a football game on your street, without a constant stop for traffic. Sadly, all this has changed due to "progress?" and the unfortunate attitude of the modern world where mostly everyone is concerned with "Me" and "My wants."

Because a family gets singled out because they can't enjoy a pool due to an ordinance that tries to keep Mineola suburban, citizens are crying and up in arms because their personal needs aren't being fulfilled. Are we teaching our children to obey the rules - until they come in conflict with our wants and desires? People...People...Priorities.

Thank God your children are not being used as targets in Iraq, that you have a beautiful home of your own and are able to feed your family. Thank God for your and your children's health, that you are employed and happier than you think in a village that won't let you enjoy a pool.

My solution - abolish all rules about curtailing your personal rights. Let every Tom, Dick and Harry erect buildings, fences and what-have you. I only hope to live long enough to see the citizens of Mineola crying and up-in-arms because "their" Mineola now resembles the citified boroughs which they left for a better standard of life in Mineola.

Steven E. Motto