While you have chosen to write about the Patchogue Holiday River Parade (editorial Nov. 25), your assumption, like most publications' assumptions, that the name of the parade was the reason for the reduction in attendance, is off base. Since we made the news for the parade, hopefully you are also aware that we had a hate-related killing of a Hispanic man a few weeks ago.

Since the community is about 25 percent Hispanic and many of them live near the river, it could be safely assumed that they chose not to mingle with the public at this point in time since they could be afraid of any backlash. There are definitely illegals in Patchogue, but the issue was the murder. Trust me. I've lived here for almost 55 years.

Paul Tabone

Patchogue