To The Editor: The first time I met Steve Lonegan was in the mid 90s when David Von Savage (before he became the Cape May County Republican Chairman) headed a group of conservatives called "The Breakfast Club" invited him to be a guest speaker at one of our meetings at the Avalon Country Club. This was the first time I had heard of Lonegan who at the time was serving as Mayor of Bogata. I recall Von Savage praising him for cutting taxes and spending in government and someone who was a shining example of a true conservative. Since then I have seen him fight Republican Gov. Christie Whitman from borrowing $8.6 billion without voter approval and Corzine's plan to increase our tolls by 800 percent. Every election we hear promises of cutting taxes, spending etc. only to be disappointed time and time again. This June 2, we have a rare opportunity to elect a real Republican, a conservative who for 12 years as mayor cut spending, stabilized taxes and was re-elected three times in a solid Democrat town. Lonegan's 2.9 percent flat tax will stop higher- income people from leaving our state. He will reduce the average suburban property tax bill by 20 percent by distributing state income tax equally on a per pupil basis. Don't buy into the premise Lonegan is too conservative and can't win in November. Vote for him and he will win in June and November. CARLO MELINI Salon Owner Rio Grande