Would it be sacrilegious to say that the ninth annual precedent setting Menorah lighting ceremony (sponsored by the East Norwich Chamber of Commerce) and the blessing of the crèche coordinated by Scout Master Joe Paruolo of Troop 253 was a hoot?

The good will that flowed from the Ecumenical services was truly in the Judaic-Christian tradition.

How to thank so many giving people is not easy, but let me try.

1. Always, Debbie, office manager at the Oyster Bay Jewish Center for doing the chamber's typing and being my liaison.

2. Irma Ritchi, manager of the East Norwich Inn for inviting us into the Inn to keep warm. For being there when we had electrical problems.

3. Ritchie Schare who comes to my home, checks the Menorah and schleps it to the site and wires it. Then at the end of the season, brings it back home.

4. To Rothmans for their generous use of their electrical power.

5. To Ken at Woodstock for making a beautiful ground cover for the Menorah.

6. Jerry Seckler, executive director of the office of Cultural Development at Chelsea Center for his generous contribution of the Long Island singers (that we shared with the creche) as well as being supportive of us for nine years.

7. To Dagmar Karppi, editor of the Oyster Bay Enterprise-Pilot and Eileen McFederich for reporting us from year to year.

8. To Robert Fox - co-chairman of the Inter-Religious Council.

9. To Rev. Sandra Moore Levey of the United Community Methodist Church of East Norwich for not only being a guest of the Menorah lighting but pitching in and giving the invocation for the Creche.

10. To Scout Master Joe Paruolo of Troop 253 for his giving ways and good spirit.

11. Steve Walker - parent coordinator of Troop 253. For first playing Christmas songs at the Creche then Chanukah songs at the Menorah lighting and serving hot chocolate in between. His wonderful young musicians and Scouts are: Douglas Boorstein, Thomas Boorstein, Alex Hogg, Kenny Howes, Matt Manning, Andrew Palczewski, Stephen Paruolo, Nick Peterson, Doug Pisic, Jonathan Schoemaker, Alex Siple and Matt Sommerhalter.

12. To all elected officials who from the very beginning have been supportive of our efforts:

1. Councilman Leonard Symons, who has never missed one.

2. Assemblywoman Donna Ferrara - Welcome.

3. Legislator Ed Mangano - Always a delight.

4. Supervisor John Venditto - his first appearance at the Creche and Menorah (you do good work sir.)

5. State Senator Carl Marcellino who has supported us since he was a town clerk, and spoke a few words of wisdom.

6. County Executive Tom Gulotta who always made the time to attend our Menorah lighting (Thank you for the joy you bring).

7. Last but not least to Allan Block, president of The Oyster Bay Jewish Center for his delightful humor and blessing of the Menorah.

And most of all the community and to all the children - thank you.

Bernice Nesson Sachs

Chairwoman - Menorah Lighting Ceremony

East Norwich Chamber of Commerce

An alarming new law is now being proposed by the village board. Under the proposed law, elections for village offices will take place every two years not every year.

It is also proposed that whenever an official comes up for re-election he will be in office for four years instead of two. The voice of the people will not be heard as often as it certainly should be in any democratic government, especially in a small village such as ours. Elections should be held every year. Four years is too long a period. Nobody is infallible, and frequent elections allow change and prevent the abuse of power. The present government was elected partly because people felt it was time for a change.

Has the board found democracy, insured as it always has been by yearly elections, too expensive? Think what prices have been paid by men and women throughout history for the right to vote.

My husband volunteered his time and effort for many years in various offices of Oyster Bay Cove. He was a frugal man and felt one of the primary duties of officers in the village was to hold down expenses. Taxes are certainly high enough without our increasing them. But he and his fellow volunteers, all men of public spirit never contemplated canceling an election!

Is the holding of an election so very expensive? I, for one, would be willing to contribute to a fund to help pay the cost. I am grateful to those great people who made elections possible.

Let the voice of the people be heard. Please come to the village meeting where surely the board will listen to your questions and opinions.

Reine Kidder

On Dec. 15 the Village of Oyster Bay Cove passed a resolution calling for a public hearing leading to the adoption of a local law changing the terms of office for the mayor and trustees from two to four years.

During his election campaign, Mayor Michael Peragine repeatedly stated that the residents should have the right to a public referendum on any broad based, sweeping changes affecting the Village of Oyster Bay Cove.

It is time to demand honesty and integrity of our elected officials. Insist Mayor Peragine honor his commitment to public referendum on major village issues.

The "Peragine Team" has proposed the adoption of self-serving legislation whose sole purpose is to perpetuate their terms of office. This political maneuver may be accomplished within only 30 days of the Jan. 19 hearing date. Do not allow them to abrogate your rights to vote on a vital issue affecting our village.

It is your vote - use it or lose it.

Charles R. Meyer