As the executive director of Gateway Youth Outreach, Inc. for the past 13 years, I have been fortunate to have access to and work closely with, many elected officials. Much of that work has been focused in the Elmont Union Free School District. For the past seven years I have had the privilege to work closely on state level issues with Assemblyman Tom Alfano. Assemblyman Alfano has been responsive (most recently securing over $650,000 over five years for after-school programs) caring, coming to programs and helping with homework or playing a game, and most of all forthright (keeping the agency abreast of funding opportunities and making sure I knew what to do and who to say it to). He even brought the Lt. Governor to our agency to tout its good work.

Now the news comes that three of the schools in the Elmont Union Free School District will be losing the dedication and service of the assemblyman through redistricting? How do you tell children who are as diverse as those we serve, speaking over 70 languages in an increasingly changing community, who are looked at and represented not by the color of their skin or place of birth but by their worth as citizens, that the man who accepts them with open arms and represents them proudly is not going to be there for them? What about those children who have known the assemblyman personally, gone to Albany with him, who have seen him at their programs, that he is no longer their assemblyman? How does an agency such as Gateway Youth Outreach start from scratch with another assemblyman, who I'm sure will try to be as caring and responsive as well, when the needs of the at-risk youth we serve are immediate and growing? How will the schools being cut out of Assemblyman Alfano's district be affected by grants pending in state agencies?

This community, as does Gateway Youth Outreach, relishes the fact that Assemblyman Alfano is our representative. We all know of the strides he has made in bringing together and keeping together this highly diverse community, and why. Because he wants what's best for every child's education, for every family's security and safety, for every senior's well-being and for every veteran who has served this country proudly.

This community elected Tom Alfano and until such time as he might decide not to represent us, he should remain our state assemblyman.

Patrick Boyle

Executive Director

Why must the Town of Elmont be split into two different assembly districts? This is the question that needs to be answered. For the past seven years Assemblyman Thomas Alfano, who many of us affectionately call "The Children's Assemblyman," has represented our entire community. In my opinion Assemblyman Alfano has done what no other elected official has ever been able to accomplish, he has restored our faith in public officials. His office is always available when called upon and he has made himself visible in our community. He is truly well known in all of our six public schools and by all of our students.

As a parent of a fifth-grader at the Clara H. Carlson School, I am proud that my 10-year-old son has met and knows the assemblyman personally. He has traveled to his office in Albany and is able to explain in detail the job that he does and what district he represents. Assemblyman Alfano has been a good friend to the entire Elmont community and has made great strides in helping our community and our students grow.

Since the 2000 Census has provided the state with information that there is a need to reduce the number of assembly districts, I think that they should look at the entire picture before redistricting. Why should our school district be represented by two different assemblypersons? Why should any school district have to face that dilemma? How can three of our schools partake in certain programs while leaving the other three out? How can some of our students travel to Albany for the Mentoring Program while others cannot? Who will make those decisions?

I implore all interested community members to take pen to paper and voice your concerns to the state or send your comments directly to Assemblyman Alfano's office. The only way to keep all of Elmont under the jurisdiction of assemblyman Alfano is to speak up!

Judy Van Haaren

Can someone please explain to me why, at a time when everyone is waving flags and talking about "United We Stand," our community is being divided by redistricting?

Here, in the Elmont School District, a true melting pot, we have strived very hard to work as one school unit. The superintendent, the principals, as well as the PTAs all come together to share information and work as one cohesive unit for the best interest of our children. Until recently, we had one Assemblyman, Thomas Alfano.

Assemblyman Alfano has proven over the years, time and time again, that he really cares about our children. He makes regular visits to all six public schools in our district, has implemented a Mentoring Program that allows our children to visit Albany and see the workings of our government up close and has also implemented a Town Meeting Forum that allows our children to meet well-educated, professional role models in various fields. For our children he is not just a face in the newspaper or on TV but an active and sincere participant in their futures. These are just some of the reasons why our community has come to appreciate, honor and respect Assemblyman Alfano.

So, I believe for the continued success of our children and our community as a whole, we need to not only support him with our words but with our presence. Let's keep Elmont's school district united - under one jurisdiction, under one cause, under one assemblyman, Thomas Alfano!

Sandra Smith

I was very upset to learn that Assemblyman Thomas Alfano will no longer be representing our community due to the current NYS Assembly redistricting plan. As a resident, educator, and Little League coach in the community, I have seen all of the effort and dedication Assemblyman Alfano has put into his assembly district. His never ending hard work for the students, elderly and ball players is very much appreciated. I have seen Mr. Alfano at many school functions and Elmont North Little League events.

Alfano is an assemblyman that has the best interests of all of his constituents in mind and one who does what is "right." It would be a great loss to our community if Mr. Alfano was no longer allowed to represent us.

Thomas Mills

I have heard some upsetting news concerning the splitting of the Elmont District.

My family has lived in Elmont for only four years. To find a community to raise a family in is a formidable task. The Elmont community makes this more than possible. Elmont makes "family" the rule and not the exception.

I have had the firsthand opportunity to see and know of Assemblyman Alfano's unflagging and uncompromising work and support for the Elmont community.

I can see no need for "change for the better" because Elmont with its advocate/assemblyman is effecting those changes all the time.

There is a saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Theresa Weston-Morris (Mrs. W)