(The following letter was sent to Senator Michael Balboni. It is being reprinted here at the authors' request.)

We read with interest your list of "legislative grants secured for local programs" (The Westbury Times, Aug. 19 issue), and wonder if you recall our letters to you requesting your assistance in receiving a state funding grant to assist this project in its efforts to monitor the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Nassau County and the Towns of North Hempstead and Hempstead in controlling and cleaning up the industrial pollution from the New Cassel superfund site. This site has long been adversely affecting our underground drinking water supply and our environment.

While we agree that all of the organizations you selected to assist are indeed worthy ones, we question the overall merit and value in transferring general tax money to organizations, municipalities, and political subdivisions that are also tax funded and that can, indeed, set their own tax rates.

We would again ask you for your specific consideration in assisting our worthy cause.

Thank you and kindest regards.

Mildred Little

President of the New Cassel Environmental Justice Project, Inc.

Richard Cardozo

Vice President of the New Cassel Environmental Justice Project, Inc.