There's an old saying - "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." That's the way it is in the Village of Port Washington North. I've been a resident of the village for over 43 years and I must say it's run like a finely tuned and well cared for instrument. I served as chairman of the board of zoning and appeals for over 25 years and have watched Mayor Tom Pellegrino, the board of trustees and the village staff work tirelessly on behalf of the taxpayers to give us a first-class community in which to live. We've got great snow removal, street sweeping, leaf pick-up, sidewalk and street maintenance, zoning enforcement, and a beautification program second to none. Additionally, our village taxes are among the lowest in Nassau County.

However, this is a board not content to rest on its laurels. In examples drawn from just the past few months, the mayor and trustees have created a waterfront park which will be named the "Thomas J. Pellegrino Waterfront Recreational Park" in honor of the 33 years the mayor has served the village. Village streets are being repaved, sidewalks are being replaced and trees are being planted.

This, clearly is a board that is with the times - with new ideas and with a vision for the village's future. The board is well-balanced between Tom Pellegrino, a tried and true leader of countless years' experience, and trustees who are giving the village the best of both worlds; the years' experience of Mayor Pellegrino and the breath of fresh air provided by Trustee Norel Ilberg and trustee Gary Levi.

I urge all village residents to re-elect Tom Pellegrino as mayor and trustees Noel Ilberg and Gary Levi on Election Day, March 18. I enthusiastically endorse their re-election. Their combined experience in village government is priceless.

Burt Raab