First I want to give a very big "thank you" to all my 1,548 supporters on the train, in my neighborhood and throughout the town. Thank you.

This year's school election results are in and the trend is not good. The budget passed rather easily, as I had expected, but the people elected to board positions trouble me. I hope these newly elected members will actually follow through with the spending restraints they campaigned on. I await their specific proposals to contain spending growth.

What the Syosset School District did this year should be viewed with great disdain. They knew that they had a fight on their hands and they pulled out all the stops to quash any opposition. Did anyone notice how the tone and message of the campaign changed in the waning weeks? Every establishment candidate was talking "fiscal responsibility" and "reasonable increases". Did anyone receive letter after letter in the mail from the district countering our message of fiscal restraint? Why? It was because of me and my running mate, Dr. Joseph.

The school district administration did a masterful job of manipulating this year's election.

Why was curriculum night moved from May 5 to election night, May 17? Let's get our base, the elementary school children's parents, out by having curriculum night coincide with election night. Based on the results of the election, they won't change this policy in the future.

How does an average person, like me, win an election like this? How can I compete with the PTA and the Syosset Teachers Union that were actively raising money for their candidates through their superior networking ability? I was heavily out-spent.

After the election results were announced I realized we need a two party system in the school district and not the current one party system. No outsider (ie: a non PTA person) has won an at large seat on the Syosset School Board since 1976. This must change. Today I am officially forming the group "Syosset Homeowners for Lower Taxes". Our organization will represent the large silent minority of the community that feels taxes are out of control. We will attempt to turn this silent minority into a vocal majority. We need to make certain that the school district continues on the path of reduced spending and NOT revert to years past. Please join myself and Dr Joseph in helping to make our vision a reality.

Our website is http://syosset2005.tripod.com/

Our email address is edtop40@yahoo.com

Edward J Adrion

President, Syosset Homeowners for Lower Taxes