Over the course of the past two weeks we had an extraordinary experience and we didn't even have to leave the office to do it.

In our role as editors and in addition to our normal duties, Beth Vallianos and I put together a special section saluting The Belmont Stakes.

Since it was kind of our baby and I wanted to assure the section's success, I also got involved in securing advertising for the piece - and what a wonderful reconfirmation of our good thoughts about many people.

For as long as we can remember, our public officials have said they're doing everything they can to promote this fine county. Last week, many of them put their hard earned money where their mouths are.

When we mentioned we were doing this special section, County Legislator Edward H. Ward immediately reached for his checkbook. "I'll take an eighth of a page," he said. "If it promotes an event that's good for Nassau and helps you at the same time, why not?"

His colleagues, John Ciotti and Richard Nicolello also quickly signed on to our effort. John Ciotti, in fact, was instrumental in bringing other local lawmakers into the fold, Councilman Joe Ra and Assemblyman Tom Alfano.

Next came Tom Gulotta, who took out a half page trumpeting Nassau as a sports lover's paradise.

Following closely behind him were Fred Parola, Karen Murphy and Charles O'Shea.

Former Congressman Dan Frisa, always a Nassau booster, came to the fore, as did the Nassau County Democratic Committee.

County Executive Thomas S. Gulotta has repeatedly said that by 1999, he wants to make Nassau County the "number one place to live in the greatest country in the world."

With people like this in county government, we know his goal will be realized.

Daniel J. McCue