Long Island Press » Letters

Letters To The Long Island Press – May ’13

Long Island Press — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:35:05 +0000

Recreational marijuana should be legal, taxed and regulated.
(“NY Medical Marijuana Bill Debated on Long Island,” April 9)
It makes money for the state and localities, and removes generations of hypocrisy and ignorance that allows far, far more harmful substances like alcohol and tobacco to be legally sold.

David Lynch via Facebook

I’m as laid back as the next guy, but this heroin crap has got to stop [“Medford Man High on Heroin in Fatal Crash,” April 19]. Find out where he got it and find out where that person got it and find out where that person got it, put them in jail for attempted murder and any bas#%rd lawyer that tries to keep them out. Save the children and the peoples’ lives they ruin over drug dealers’ rights. Don’t get me started.

Dom Tassone via Facebook

@CJ_Marchello: “Just what we need, more drugs on Long Island.” [“NY Medical Marijuana Bill Debated on Long Island,” April 9]

via Twitter

Demoted? [“Nassau Police Aide Gets Community Service for Harassment,” April 11] Frances Colvin should have been dismissed for using the system for personal reasons. The rest of it I could see, as the harassment isn’t much more than you’d normally see in that situation.

Karen Gardiner Miller via Facebook

@shoptiludrop15: “Not even safe in your own home. #scary.” [“Bay Shore Home Invasion Suspects Sought,” April 8]

Via Twitter

I knew it! [“DA: Woman Faked Cancer to get Drug Money,” April 10]. I saw Brittany Ozarowski outside of Guinta’s Meat Farms a few months back. She was with an older woman whom she claimed was her mother. They had big mayo jars filled with cash and a long typed letter explaining her plight. I took the letter and read it while shopping. Something was off. There were many typos, and the story was just so outlandish. My gut was screaming at me that this was a scam, but my heart was telling me to stop being cynical. I would have given her a buck, but I honestly didn’t have one, and paid for my groceries with a credit card—a bill which my husband and I work hard to pay…along with our other bills. Funny, but we actually work for what we have. Seriously, this scammer needs to be punished. May God forgive her.

Ann Dorrian Guaglione via Facebook

“The Revolution Will Be Satirized” reads like it was written by the DNC or maybe Barbara Streisand. Aside from the silly attack on Mitt Romney, a man of far more credentials than his radical opponent, the entire piece is dishonest on a number of levels. Lewis Black who happily has attested to his life-long commitment to the Left many times is described as politically neutral, “A comedian who skewers politicians on both sides of the aisle.” Nothing is made of President Barack Obama’s bid to expand the welfare state on a scale never before seen. Only Romney’s comment (a true one, by the way) that half the nation is now living off the other half. Romney’s sin wasn’t about the veracity of his comments but the political incorrectness of it. Which brings us to the ridiculous, sophomoric depiction of Lenny Bruce as a champion of free speech. Huh? Expletives are not speech. They don’t express ideas. If you think the Left supports free speech, try making a politically incorrect statement in the classroom or on an American campus today and see what happens. Careers have been destroyed by the Left over opinions expressed by American citizens, a right guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The “comedic activists” mentioned in the piece are all on the political Left. It is a cynical, a snobbish contempt of the reading public to present such a politically biased piece as though it is objective journalism and to glorify left-wing political advocates as if they are merely “comedian activists,” a politically neutral term.

J. Fielding via email

Letters to the Press, March ’13

Long Island Press — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:03:44 +0000

There is no excuse such as saying there was too much snow because private lots paid to private companies were ALL down to blacktop. No one is blaming workers who were following orders. We are saying that something was terribly wrong with how this was handled by many higher ups.

People always complain about high taxes, but I’m not seeing enough complaining now. This was and is a mess. People lost work days and money due to incompetence.

Erin Killeen via Facebook

Long Islanders should see where their tax dollars are going! Long Island roads are dangerous, nothing is being done!

@PeachyPink1719 via Twitter

They never learn. [Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine] said the weather report wasn’t certain. He left on Wed. when they had already predicted a foot.

@Surfcomic via Twitter

I got an IDEA, Don’t go on vacation when a storm is forecast!!! Stop playing the blame game. Let’s face it, you F__ked up!!!! Now step down and get people in there who can get the job done. if not, get new ones!!!! As children we are taught not to lie, but our politicians seem to be the biggest liars and slanderers!!! Don’t trust any of them!!!!!

Peter Devlin via Facebook

Unconscionable. Korea is preparing for world domination and we can’t even get our streets plowed!

Jackie Bowers Riker via Facebook

Living only five minutes from the Long Island Sound was an integral part of my adolescence. My family spent countless hours on and around the Sound fishing, boating and picnicking. The Sound is also a crucial part of the economy as it supports many jobs. Unfortunately, we are not doing our best to make sure it is protected. Too many of the wetlands and small streams that feed the Sound do not have the essential Clean Water Act protections, leaving them at risk for dumping and development. By not protecting all tributaries and wetlands in the CWA we are putting other, larger bodies of water like the Sound, at risk, too. I made the decision to vote for President Obama because I believe in his commitment to protecting clean water. Now that the election is over it is time for the President to step up and restore the CWA, once and for all.

Kimberly Cooper, Clean Water Intern, Environment New York via Email

Banks give banks a bad name.

Katherine Struven Navarra via Facebook

Let me get this straight: After a couple of years of collecting a government paycheck, Suffolk County District Attorney Tom Spota, Sheriff Vincent DeMarco and Clerk Judith Pascale decide that the people they serve no longer have the right to restrict them to three terms in office and then—without shame—use their campaign money in an attempt to overturn the 1993 referendum enacting term limits.

They claim that they are actually NYS officials and the fact that they serve a county function, receive county salaries and are elected by county residents is just a coincidence.

After the Suffolk legislature hires a politically connected patsy for its defense, it mysteriously refuses to appeal the judge’s decision that overturned a 20-year-old referendum, laughably citing “budget” constraints.

During all this, Albany and the Cuomo administration are nowhere to be found. The U.S. Justice Department refuses to intervene. Not one political leader voices any concern. Then, as if on cue, both major parties cross-endorse the Gang of Three, thereby making the election process a farce.

Now, it seems we are no longer being governed. We are being ruled. And Suffolk County has become the banana republic it has always strived to become. Now, I get it.

Peter Nichols, Melville via Email

Thanks for all you do with #TheBestofLongIsland

@PaulPannone via Twitter

Letters to the Press – February, 2013

Long Island Press — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:22:53 +0000

We already have some of the toughest gun laws on the books, the only people it affects are those who follow the laws. The only thing I see this doing is turning the law-abiding people into criminals.

The true criminals with long history of gun crimes are still going to walk before the ink on their arrest paperwork is dry.

Allan Caporuscio via Facebook

Valid points made by both sides here but I am glad that in NY they are at least addressing gun control. Is this legislature the perfect answer NO but at least it is a start. I am sure I am not in the minority when I commend Gov. Cuomo and the NY legislators for taking action.

Lorraine Sventora via Facebook

$8.75 is unlivable in New York. Minimum wage should be what the average NYS Senator makes per hour!

@GetCollegeEven via Twitter

Your latest “Off The Reservation” column, “Grand Old Pogrom,” evokes so many thoughts it’s difficult to know where to start. My first inclination is to respond to some of the vague associations and misinformation that you have so vehemently and passionately espoused in your article, but honestly I am fatigued by this entire level of discourse. You have left journalism and climbed into the ring of those you despise.

What has been lost in the public discussion is any level of courtesy, accuracy or civility. For example, you fail to mention Douglas Coe’s associations with Hillary Clinton, Al Gore and Jimmy Carter. You vaguely link the GOP to Hitler and, of course, the tiresome marriage of the GOP to the evil rich people out there. You complain about Republican propaganda, and then you practice it out with a sledgehammer in your article.

I love this paper, and this will by no means dissuade me from reading it in the future. Your job is to elevate the level of discourse into something of meaning and substance. People on the left and the right have valid and substantive points. Please, sir, I beg you to promote civility, accuracy and further meaningful discussion. You cheapen the value of your paper when you practice the very same nonsense you despise.

T. Chilton, Islip via email

New website comes up *very* nicely on my Android cell phone, well done!

@metaAnnilie via Twitter

Thank you for your article. Perhaps it will enlighten those who don’t already understand how business is conducted in Washington. I find it absolutely fascinating that the party that aligns itself the closest with Christ is the same party that misrepresents His teachings at just about every turn. I’m not a biblical expert but the Bible I read has some pretty basic tenets:

Peace (Republicans started two wars based on fabrications.) I thought I read something about lying as well.
Serve the poor (Republicans fight to destroy unions, cut healthcare and social security, and cut funding to education, yet fight tooth and nail to protect tax cuts for the super wealthy.)
Jesus served the poor and the marginalized in society.
He threw the money lenders out of the temple.
He healed the sick. These people where His PRIORITIES, not the wealthy and well-connected. A camel through the eye of a needle, indeed!
People are so easily mislead. Repeat a sound bite long enough and it becomes gospel. Thanks to good people like you my sanity remains restored. (Most days!)

Patrick Connelly, Oceanside via email

In its recent article “Atomic Warfare” (Jan. 2), The Long Island Press presents a sensational and inaccurate portrayal of both the condition of the former Sylvania Electronic site in Hicksville as well as Verizon’s efforts to address contamination that was discovered at this site since the beginning of the work in 2000. The story was written without any effort to contact Verizon for comment or balance.

The article’s assertion that “there is a secret in Hicksville” is false. The operations that took place in the 1950s and ’60s by Sylvania have been well documented. Prior to the commencement of the investigation and the remedial work and during the investigations and remedial work on the site a number of public meetings were held and written fact sheets providing updates were provided. In fact, information about the investigation and remedial efforts to date has been placed in the Hicksville Public Library. In addition, these meetings, as well as other activities relating to the site, have been widely reported in the press.

The article fails to mention that the New York State Department of Public Health AND the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, as well as other federal and local agencies, have reviewed the environmental data relating to the site, and none has found the site to present a health hazard. Similarly, many of these agencies have overseen the remedial efforts performed by Verizon, which have gone well beyond legal requirements to assure the safety of the community.

Verizon has acted responsibly in response to the discovery of contamination at the site. Sylvania operated the site exclusively for the benefit of and under the close supervision of the federal government. The contract for that work stipulated that the Federal Government, and not Sylvania, was to be responsible for any resulting contamination. Nonetheless, many decades later, Verizon stepped up to the plate and began to address the contamination until the federal government took responsibility to remediate the site.

Any future articles by the Long Island Press about this property should be based on complete and thorough investigations into the facts, so there is a correct and accurate record of what has been an ongoing open and transparent process.

John Bonomo
Verizon, Director-Media Relations

via snail mail

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Letters – January 2013 – Readers React To Us Going Monthly

Long Island Press — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 18:51:18 +0000

Good luck on going to a monthly publication. I hope that I can get four times the following articles: Sound Smart at a Party, Letters, The Target, The Photo, The Pink Slip, The Quote, The Equation, The Rundown, The Book, The B-list B-day, Jerry’s Ink, Crosswords and Sudoku. I’ll miss the Press every week, but I’ll survive. Keep up the good work. –Lee Blumberg, Levittown

Changing your publishing schedule from 52 weekly issues to only 12 monthly copies means that every year there will be 40 (52 minus 12) murderers, rapists, serial killers, mass murderers, pedophiles, Ponzi thieves, crooked politicians, and dozens of other assorted miscreants who will not get “fired” by your public service “Pink Slips”—a loss to us all. –Richard Siegelman

Greatly looking forward to the next chapter in the evolution of LI Press— and Jed Morey! –Doris Meadows

Jed, Since the days you sat in my class, you were creative, never afraid, and knew there were no sacred cows anywhere. I am not surprised about the change…it’s the only way to grow! And I am certainly not surprised that you are leading this change. Go right on and continue to impress your audience. –Rev. Allan B. Ramirez

I love reading your newspaper. Been a fan since the beginning. Your paper is well written and is so much better than Newsday. Good luck with the monthly edition. I’m going to miss my weekly crossword puzzle in your newspaper. –Sue

Now, if you could just bring back WLIR Radio, I’d be really happy!!!! –Jim Perrone

I’m going to agree with Jim Perrone about WLIR — sorely missed! Otherwise, well said, Jed. Good luck with the monthly. –Frank Pomata

Good luck with the new format. The weekly issue will be missed, but it should be interesting to see how the refurbished monthly edition turns out. I hope it will have more than one major article per month. –Michael Cafaro

ON FACEBOOK

Lillian Alzheimer Taylor Disappointed to hear this although I do understand your reasoning. PS, the LIP is the only newspaper I enjoy reading and trust to bring me real news that matters to me. Thank you for that.

Eddie Muro Going from weekly to monthly….at a time when Long Island needs another daily! I guess we’ll just be stuck with Dolan’s mouth piece.

Ed Gerbe I guess 12 per year beats zero. Taking a page from the Long Island Catholic?

David Lynch Will miss the weekly.

VIA TWITTER

@jcairo Monthly like a period. (disgruntled ex-employee)

@Mike93434086 As always, I will look forward to “Off the Reservation,” The Target/Equation & your cover stor(ies)…

@maura the Long Island Press is going monthly. curious to see how this move turns out.

@inthefade I think this is a strong, good move. Online still stays current, monthly print can be more meaty.