We are the owners of the Shopping Center at 506-14 Hempstead Avenue, West Hempstead. The Shopping Center is the home of variety of small businesses including a dry cleaner, barbershop, foot doctor, convenience store, Chinese restaurant and an exercise facility. These small businesses provide many employment opportunities, generate substantial tax revenue and have served the West Hempstead community for many years.

The Shopping Center also provides a fair income for our family. We were thus quite shocked to learn, from a local news reporter, that the West Hempstead Public Library was seeking to condemn our property and destroy the livelihood of many people. At no time did the West Hempstead Public Library approach us before the library board unilaterally decided to force us out of business. Although we have met with the library board and asked them to find a different site for the library, they have refused. Rather, the library board is seeking to spend almost $10,000,000 to move the library several blocks to the west. This would increase, according to information provided by the library, the average taxes for all residents of West Hempstead $9.85/month or almost $120 each year.

On behalf of my family, the businesses in the Shopping Center and many others who are concerned about the wasteful expenditures of public funds, we urge the citizens of West Hempstead to vote "no" on June 3.

We need your help to protect our family and families of our tenants. Thank you.

Mr. and Mrs. Kum Hwie Cho