I am writing to express my concern at the continued legal pursuit of prior board members. The backbone of this community has been the wonderful people who have given countless hours of their time with no other motive than to make Roslyn the very special community it has been for many decades. If in the name of our community we send out a signal that no good deed will go unpunished, in the future we will only attract those who feel that there is some personal benefit to them in serving this community.

I am aware that Comptroller Hevesi found that the prior board was negligent. Some of my neighbors feel that this finding should be outcome - determinative on the bringing of a lawsuit against them. I would note that as any prosecutor can tell you, just because you have the basis to bring a case does not mean that you should do so. As parents, we told our children that there is a crucial distinction between having the First Amendment right to say something and having the good sense not to exercise that right in all conditions. We may have a legal right to bring a suit, but I have yet to see that we have an ethical justification for bringing the suit.

I am proud that Roslyn has a local and even a national reputation of being a community of conscience. I do not think that former board members changed that reputation one iota. This lawsuit against prior board members is taken in the name of the community for no ethical reason. Its purpose, as far as I have seen, is to recoup some of the missing funds. Is this the proper way for a community of conscience to act?

I am filled with anger at the unlawful actions of those who intentionally stole money from our children. I regret the emotional and financial toll this suit has taken on former board members who did not. Therefore, I implore you to refrain from pursuing this lawsuit.

Norma Perlman