In your front-page article, "Water Districts Impeding Progress on Improving Radio Communications for First Responders," a quote from County Executive Suozzi suggests that there is something wrong if a water district wants rent for using space on its tower. This is surprising since I'm fairly certain the county charges rent for antennas that use space on the top of the Nassau County Medical Center.

As a patron of my local water district, I believe it is appropriate for the district to be compensated for using its facility and for the electric power that will be expended for the repeaters that will have to be installed to make the system work. For many years cell phone companies, business band radio companies and others have established the fair market value of renting space and using electricity on existing structures for the purpose of installing antennas and transmitters to enhance communication.

What seems to me to be "outrageous" is the county thinking they can steal from community members like myself and not compensate our local water district appropriately. Don't blame the water districts for trying to keep the cost of water distribution at a reasonable level by bringing in additional income. Blame the county for failing to recognize their responsibility to our First Responders and for trying to pass blame onto the Water Districts.

Pay the rent, Mr. Suozzi and our new communication system will become operational!

Richard A. Gurfein