As an active member of the Roslyn Heights community and as a resident of the Heights for over 30 years and as an educator for longer still, I would like to make a few observations on the coming school bond issue.

There are points brought up in letters to the editor in the last issue of The Roslyn News that call for a response. The tenor seemed to be that those residents who oppose the bond are not concerned about education and somehow not "responsible people," people we would not want in our community anyway.

Those who oppose the bond issue have concerns that are very real. In a perfect world, there would be money for all our wishes. However, housing and property reappraisal are a coming reality, tax increases to meet the multi-million dollar Nassau County debt are looming before us as well as monies needed for the possible multi-million dollar North Hempstead Town penalty.

When one considers these coming economic burdens, it is no wonder that many of our residents are concerned. Even without the Bond, there is an anticipated 7-8 percent increase in school taxes. Senior citizens and others living on modest incomes may have to choose between housing, food, medical costs and now almost unsupportable taxes. Do we really need more tennis courts and bigger board rooms in these uncertain times? Is there a lack of caring for families that can ill afford higher taxes?

Delphine McLean