While Nassau County is working hard to fix years of financial neglect and abuse, one of the county’s most unique and valuable not-for-profits, Cornell Cooperative Extension, may end up on the chopping block.

The county has only allotted Cornell Cooperative Extension $200,000 in funding for 2004. That is hardly enough money to keep the organization and its programs operating at current levels.

Cornell Cooperative Extension provides all Nassau County residents with valuable programs in parenting education, youth development, nutrition, agriculture and horticulture, all at no cost to residents. It would be a shame to see such a beneficial organization and its programs come to an end.

Cornell Cooperative needs $420,000 to continue providing Nassau residents with these invaluable services. I hope County Executive Suozzi and the legislature can find it in their hearts and budgets to keep this organization operating at full capacity.

Barbara J. Woerner

North Massapequa