To the editor,

It is disappointing, to say the least, that The Brooklyn Paper based so much of its endorsement for the 39th District Council seat on its position in favor of the arena at Atlantic Yards (“Dems should pick Heyer in the 39th District,” Sept. 4).

The arena would produce few good, long-term jobs, but plenty of congestion and even urban blight. And you gave short shrift to an impressive group of other candidates, in particular Gary Reilly, who has articulated very well-thought-out positions on this and other issues.

All in all, a baffling endorsement from a paper that should know better.

Michael Cairl, Park Slope

• • •

To the editor,

How did The Brooklyn Paper race right past the very point of its editorial in endorsing John Heyer?

I do not question your endorsement as that is surely a matter of choice.

I do, however, expect a balanced presentation of each candidate. This is surely a requirement if you expect to meet the minimum standards of journalistic credibility.

In the 26 months since Gary Reilly asked me for “five minutes” to present an idea at the end of a Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association general meeting, his idea has become part of the public discussion, not just in Carroll Gardens, or Brooklyn, but the entire city. It is on the table now. Not bad, for his first venture into problem solving.

Long before this campaign, Gary worked and made a difference here in Carroll Gardens. He has testified at every level of public review the current rezoning; he advocates for Carroll Gardens issues at meetings around Brooklyn before he goes to work and after a full day. He is up-to-date and knowledgeable on issues in the Brooklyn neighborhoods beyond Carroll Gardens. He’s been in the news, recognized as an informed, intelligent community activist.

We know Gary as a team player who does what he says he’s going to do. He has worked with us wherever and whenever he sees the need, including chairing the transportation committee for the CGNA. He’s consistent, always front and center — so why was he given such short shrift in your editorial?Maria Pagano,

Carroll Gardens

The writer is the president of the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association.

Editor’s Note: Reilly was certainly mentioned in our editorial along with the other four candidates.

• • •

To the editor,

The Brooklyn Paper’s editorial supporting John Heyer reflects its failure to understand the increasingly serious responsibilities of a councilman in the 39th District.

The issues surrounding the communities are not simply “nuts-and-bolts, block-by-block pothole issues,” but large scale, Tammany Hall politics which govern our families.

I am regularly disgusted by the lack of leadership presented by Councilman DeBlasio and look with trepidation to the future of more of the same.

Heyer’s resume demonstrates purpose and commitment, but he has yet to actively jump into the fray on any vital issue pitting our community at odds with large political forces. After all, leadership at this level requires it. To the point, will he be a puppet or an independent voice for our families?

I recommend voters look at all the candidates through this lens. Political courage is a must when qualifying the next councilman. If so, then perhaps one or two on your short list would jump to the top of your editor’s choice for councilman?

Finally, Gary Reilly should not have been marginalized during your consideration. He has proven results on significant issues supporting our communities. Importantly, he has shown courage to act independently without special interests.

I live in the 39th District and I will vote against business as usual.Kevin Duffy,

Carroll Gardens

Her Thies-is

To the editor,

I agree with your endorsement of Evan Thies for City Council (“Evan Thies, a real reformer for the 33rd District,” Sept. 4). Greenpoint and Williamsburg have unique and massive environmental problems with which he is very familiar, having been involved in many of the community oversight committees of which I am also a member.

The Greenpoint oil spill, the largest water pollution control plant on the East Coast, the largest amount of waste transfer stations and related truck traffic, the transition of the solid Waste management plan to barge rather that truck trash, development of waterfront parks and so on.

At meetings, I’ve been very impressed with some of the ideas and actual plans that Evan has for some of these problems. We need a councilmember who already has a knowledge of these specific environmental and parks issues. Our community can’t afford the time that it takes to bring electeds up to speed.

My vote is also for Evan Thies.Laura Hofmann,

Greenpoint

Single issue

To the editor,

There are currently 400,000 Brooklynites without health insurance — a local crisis that is destructive to our economy, our communities, and our families.

Our economic recovery depends fundamentally on moving away from the current for-profit model. With President Obama backtracking on the “public option,” the current proposals would only modify our existing wasteful system, put a further burden on employers, and force the taxpayer to subsidize private profit.

New York can lead the charge for real health-care reform in this country. Forty-nine city councils across the country have passed legislation calling for publicly funded, privately delivered single-payer health care. We need to be the 50th.

Once we solve the problem of access we can then focus on cost, which can be addressed by re-routing the emergency funds we currently use for the city’s uninsured and enrollment fees. With the for-profit insurance middlemen out of the picture this becomes a much more manageable task. The health of our citizens and our economy is at stake, and the time to act is now.

Doug Biviano,

Brooklyn Heights

The writer is running for City Council in the 33rd District.

Yea Yassky!

To the editor,

There are more good reasons why your endorsement of David Yassky over David Weprin for Comptroller made sense (“For comptroller, David Yassky,” Sept. 4).

Council Finance Committee Chairman Weprin’s claims of “fiscal expertise” misses that under his watch, the budget grew from $43 to $59 billion — above the rate of inflation. He failed to propose automatically adopting previous years’ budget.

As a result, a greater percentage of the city budget goes toward debt payments rather than funding current badly needed essential services.

Weprin is proud of his role giving out several hundred million dollars in pork barrel projects. He proudly accepts the title of “King of Pork” by the Gotham Gazette for the greatest number and dollar value of member item spending.

Weprin opposed Walmart from opening any stores thus hurting consumers looking for employment and savings. Much of Weprin’s $2-million war chest comes from traditional pay-to-play contributors.Larry Penner, Great Neck

©2009 Community Newspaper Group