Dear Editor: I am writing this letter in recognition of the generosity and compassion that was offered to our family by Councilman Mariano Vega and his amazing staff, especially Greg Malane. I would also like to thank Fire Director Armando Roman. My nine-year old daughter’s father had been incarcerated since early June. By August he was hospitalized because of his deteriorating health which only worsened. The hospital rules would not allow my daughter to visit. He was released to the prison infirmary in mid-September. Shortly after that his sister received a call from a prison social worker informing her of his pending death. Her concern was for her niece to see her father before he died. Once again our daughter became a victim to the “rules,” because the visit would have to take place on prison property and not in the usual visiting hall. For two weeks we all desperately made numerous calls to prison authorities, the local parole officer and anyone else we thought could help. It wasn’t until Mr. Vega’s office intervening on my behalf that my daughter was able to visit with her dying daddy. The visit took place on October 1, 1999 and he died on October 5, just four days after he was reunited with his “Little Princess,” whom he loved dearly. He died alone. Their reunion we owe to the great humanity of Mr. Vega, Greg Malane and the rest of the staff. No child should have to experience the grief and fear our daughter endured needlessly. That is why my heartfelt thanks at this season of joy and giving to Mr. Vega, Greg and everyone else who helped us in our time of need. Alexis and Frances