Next Tuesday, May 16, is the day of the school budget vote throughout Nassau County. We hope that everyone chooses to vote.

Unfortunately, it is a fact that taxes are going up every year here, although, so have the values of properties. In your decision whether or not to vote for a budget, you must determine if the budget being presented is a fair one. How will a contingency budget affect your kids? Even if you do not have children attending school, is having a good school district worthwhile to you- especially in view of the fact that it does maintain the value of your property? T

hese are just some of the questions one must ask when one casts a vote for or against the budget. It is a difficult time for most- with rising fuel and gasoline prices.

However, local school districts presented budgets they believe represent a fair increase, in terms of the maintenance of buildings, health costs for staff, etc. Unfortunately, Long Island school districts are not getting their fair amount of State aid and this remains problematic.

In the end, it is the voter who decides- and once again I say- make sure you VOTE!!!

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In other news, the Nassau County Department of Health has issued a warning that rabid raccoons continue to be found in the county.

With seven cases of raccoon rabies found to date this year in the county, the Nassau County Department of Health reminds residents to have their pet dogs, cats and ferrets vaccinated.

"With warm weather, pets may spend more time outdoors and come in contact with other animals," said Dr. David M. Ackman, Commissioner of Health. "Since rabid raccoons continue to be found in the county, it is essential to have your pets vaccinated against rabies. Having pets vaccinated will help protect your family as well as your animals against this disease."

Dr. Ackman also asks residents to report any animal, especially raccoons or opossums they see that are ill, dead or acting unusually, to the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 571-2290.