This letter is written to express my strong endorsement for Trustee Linda Fairgrieve for mayor and Peggy May for trustee.

The Hometown Party team of Trustees Linda Fairgrieve and Paul Cusato led the fight to prevent Mineola from creating its own police force. Linda Fairgrieve was first to propose that Mineola residents vote on this issue by referendum. She, along with Trustee Paul Cusato, asked the hard questions in a professional manner.

We should not forget that the village defeated this ridiculous idea by a vote of 70 percent against and only 30 percent in favor.

Linda Fairgrieve showed great leadership and fiscal responsibility by proposing that the village have an independent expert to examine the real cost of establishing its own police force. The New Line Party refused to have an independent expert to verify their numbers that they were telling residents how much it would cost to establish a police force. Tens of millions of dollars were involved in this issue, which was the most important issue facing village residents. The voters of Mineola rejected the New Line Party's proposal for a Mineola police force because they knew that our taxes would have "gone through the roof" if this idea was adopted.

Please vote for Trustee Linda Fairgrieve for mayor and Peggy May for trustee on Tuesday, March 20.

Cedric Brown