Once again I find myself reaching out to you, to direct your attention to an event of utmost importance. The Roslyn School District Board of Education is holding a Special Election and it is scheduled for October 5 at Roslyn High School.

Many of you have asked me who I am supporting for the school board and why. Without hesitation or reservation I support Jeff Borowick and Cliff Saffron, because our school board here in Roslyn is in dire need of the integrity, morality, experience and commitment that can only be offered by what these two individuals bring to the table at this most crucial time.

Only these candidates, Borowick and Saffron showed us the necessary courage, last spring, in confronting what we now know all too well to be true about the then questionable original school budget of '04-'05, and the Tassone Administration. Of those running now, only Cliff Saffron ran for the board then to try to do something about it. Of those running now, only Jeff Borowick sought then to make sure that our schools wouldn't be the two-time losers of a failed second budget, by making sure that the revised budget we were offered was not only improved, but palatable and interpretable to our community. These men took these tasks upon themselves, when those who had the legal, moral and fiduciary responsibility for the tasks did not.

I have heard people say that this was an administrative mess, a financial mess, not an educational mess, in our "house." That may very well be, but I have said before, we lost something much more valuable than money here, and "business as usual" isn't going to get it back. As a lawyer, I share with you my firm opinion that we need experienced lawyers to help direct the rebuilding of the business office and the school administration and any recovery effort that may be possible. We need experienced professionals not just when we hire and rely on them externally, but because we are able, through our qualified elected representatives, to understand what they are doing and are thereby able to participate meaningfully when we voice our opinions (in due process in a manner that is fundamentally fair to all), and when we cast our votes. We have to clean, and yes, rebuild our "house" here in the Roslyn School District. I for one want its foundation to be as solid as possible. Only Saffron and Borowick can offer this to us. For the sake of our children's educational security, for the sake of the stability of our tax-base, and for the sake of the value of our homes it is my fervent hope that our community is fortunate enough to invite these two brave and generous gentlemen to serve us officially. That is, after all, what belongs to us that the school board holds in its hands. In whose hands will you trust what is most valuable to you?

Please show your support for the truth, and for all they have stood for by casting votes for Borowick and Saffron for school board at Roslyn High School on October 5.

Meryl Waxman-Ben-Levy