At the recent public hearing, the mayor urged individuals to buy flood insurance and exhorted its value. We would suggest that he and trustees go to Massapequa Park and discuss their thoughts with homeowners who have flood insurance and almost a year after Hurricane Sandy are still in temporary living quarters.

Let us say one thing about the credibility and promises of the current administration. When this administration came to office more than two years ago, it stated at a public meeting that the suburban blight on Gibson Boulevard, which the village had a role in creating, was a priority. In fact, we were told that we would see improvement in six months. We would urge every resident to drive down Gibson Bouelvard and look at the property adjacent to the LIRR. That, more than anything else, speaks to the credibility of the mayor and trustees.

As the new premium statements are about to be prepared and sent to residents of the AE and X zones, we would ask you to remember the actions of the mayor, trustees and certain employees when casting your vote in less than two years. Do not be lulled into a false sense of security because the premiums may still be at the $400 level; they will be going up in the near future to approximately $4,500 for AE zone and $2,000 for X zone homeowners. Additionally, the property values of homes in the high-risk flood zone will continue to deteriorate. If you are one of the 800-plus families that were singled out for placement in the AE flood zone pursuant to the deal struck by the village with FEMA, your decision in the next election should be obvious — if you can economically survive until then.

Joseph Margolin is a homeowner in the Village of Valley Stream whose property is in the high-risk flood zone. Carol Crupi, also a homeowner in the village, is president of the Valley Stream Community Association.