Letters to the Rockville Centre Herald Nov. 11, 2010

‘I will not let you down’

To the Editor:

On Nov. 2, the residents of State Assembly District 14 — which includes Valley Stream, Malverne, East Rockaway, Rockville Centre, Oceanside, Baldwin and Lynbrook — gave me the opportunity of a lifetime: to represent them in Albany.

To those voters, those who worked tirelessly on my campaign, and to all of my family, friends, supporters, concerned citizens and taxpayers, I want to say thank you. Be assured that I will not let you down.

Brian Curran

Assemblyman-elect

Lynbrook

Work continues at Village museum

To the Editor:

The Museum of the Village of Rockville Centre held a successful yard sale on Oct. 23. With the help of former Mayor Eugene Murray and Lions Club President Ed Asip, who directed volunteers from South Side High School’s Leo Club and the Rockville Centre Youth Council, we were able to move years of accumulation from the attic and basement to the lawn, where items were scooped up by waiting buyers.

The museum was fully accredited by the State Board of Regents at the beginning of the year, and we are trying to refine and improve our collection. We are hoping to receive grants to accomplish this task. Our reputation has been growing as the dedicated board of trustees continues their quest to make the museum a showplace of Rockville Centre.

Donations of historical furniture or collectibles are welcome and will be considered for addition to our permanent collection.

The building is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. There is no charge, but donations are always welcomed.

Frank Seipp

President, the Museum of the Village of Rockville Centre

Fix assessments, consolidate schools

To the Editor:

I can’t believe what I’ve read in the story “County OKs $2.6B budget” (Nov. 4-10). Perhaps we should start a Toys for Tots program for the County Legislature. Just how many administrations have to go by before someone wakes up long enough to realize that we have all the tools in place to do the job, yet no one seems to get it done? I’m referring, of course, to the Legislature’s arguments over the budget.

Is there an issue with the county’s tax assessment system? Yes, there has been for years. Yet administration after administration fails to correct it. Instead, they contract companies from out of state, who in turn take our money, fail to make any adopted corrections and run. Is this what we pay our county’s leadership for?

As far as the schools are concerned, shifting the issue to them is also ridiculous! Their only resource is taxpayers. Does anyone feel that we need 54 independent school districts? Take into account each school administrator’s salary, typically in excess of six digits. Now add their supporting staffs’ salaries and multiply that figure by 54. Keep in mind that the total you come up with has nothing to do with our children’s education.

Reform seems to be a key word these days. Let’s try reforming our school districts! Nearly everyone realizes that our schools typically account for over 46 percent of our tax bill. States across the nation have been consolidating their school districts for years in an effort to relieve the burden on taxpayers. Where do we stand on this issue? We don’t even discuss it! Kudos to Valley Stream for at least making an effort in this direction. It’s time Nassau’s people wake up and demand corrective action!

Bob Rabey

Mineola