On Monday, Nov. 23, I went into the LWV public meeting of candidates for Police Commissioner leaning toward Mr. Zimbardi, and came out decided for Mr. Smitheimer. The major issue between them is: Where will we get the money for future severance pay for retiring police officers?

Both Mr. Zimbardi and Mr. Smitheimer want to establish a reserve fund. However, Mr. Zimbardi is in favor of aggressively funding it, while Mr. Smitheimer favors a more moderate pace, while financing these lump sum payouts on a more pay as you go basis, as officers retire.

I personally feel that reserve funds are loved by all public agency commissioners. Reserve funds leave the agencies wiggle-room, and often end up by buying goodies that the taxpayers might vote down it they knew what was happening.

I commend Mr. Smitheimer for having the courage to vote against aggressively funding the account, when the other two commissioners voted for it. And I disagree with Mr. Zimbardi who contemptuously says that Smitheimer, "doesn't get it!"

I was thrown off by the conduct of some of the shills in the audience who gave the League of Women Voters moderator a hard time that she didn't need or deserve. Here in Port Washington we have a right, after all, to expect some shred of decency in our campaigns.

Smitheimer was calm, polite and rational under an unduly strident attack. He won my confidence and my vote.