I would like to respond to two letters which were published in this column last week regarding the voting record of Susan Bergtraum, candidate for the East Williston School Board. To those who would choose to suggest to the voting public that Ms. Bergtraum is solely responsible for the current Bell Atlantic Tower situation, may I remind you that the board of education unanimously approved the contract by vote of 5-0. Therefore, regardless of who may have brought the matter to the board's attention, everyone (including the current president) listened to the information and approved the contract. They are all responsible. Due to the advice of school district lawyers, the board cannot comment negatively on the tower issue leaving the door wide open for Mr. Saporta to seem like our white knight. Yet, where was Mr. Saporta when the Village of Old Westbury decided to erect a tower on village hall property? Was this issue less important because it would not help his campaign?

As for Susan Bergtraum's support of a new middle school, it is disturbing to many of the community that the current tone of some community members which is reflected in our school board seems more concerned with economics than what is best for the children of the East Williston Schools now and in the future. Many in our district still believe that our children would be better served in a more traditional configuration which includes a 6-8 middle school and appreciate Ms. Bergtraum's effort on that particular issue. One only needs to look at surrounding districts such as Jericho and Roslyn to see how strongly those communities have supported enormous bond issues to ensure the future of children. Just last month Roslyn residents overwhelmingly passed a bond issue by a margin of 5-1 to expand their middle school and prevent the move of the eighth grade to the high school, a strong show of support for a preference to a 6-8 middle school.

I hope the voters will look beyond what some would have us believe when examining Susan Bergtraum's contributions to our school over the years. She is highly qualified to serve as a member of the East Williston School Board. The opposition has chosen to use "Hot Button" issues as health and money to try to negate all else. Diversity of opinion and thought is important in the composition of a school board to ensure productive debate. Susan Bergtraum provides us with balance. I hope that our community keeps that alive by voting for Susan Bergtraum on May 16.

Caroline Grinfeld