To the editor,
I hope Gersh Kuntzman’s ankle is feeling better. I just read about the “affair” his ankle is having (“My ankle is having an affair,” Feb. 2) and I encourage it to keep cheating!
Trust me when I say that under the care of Dr. Lyon, Gersh’s ankle will be back to normal before he knows it.
Here’s how I can be so certain: Last January, I was struck by a car in a hit-and-run accident while walking across Fifth Avenue at Third Street.
The ambulance took me to the trauma unit at Lutheran Medical Center with a large gash in my head and unable to move my arm or leg. After being surrounded by residents and medical students for a day and a half, a man appeared at my bedside who exuded that perfect blend of quiet confidence, calm compassion, and deep knowledge of both traditional and cutting-edge treatment options.
He was like a beacon in that long, painful night. That man was Dr. Thomas Lyon — Gersh’s new ankle man.
As I lay on my bed before going into surgery, I asked Dr. Lyon if I would ever run again (I’m a runner). He told me that within a year, I would be at 99.5 percent, and, yes, I should be able to run again.
When I woke up, Dr. Lyon had inserted a titanium peg in my shattered leg, manipulated my splintered shoulder to avoid surgery, and left my broken pelvis to heal on its own.
After a few weeks in the hospital learning my new role as Tiny Tim (hobbling on one leg with one crutch), I was sent home. Months of physical therapy followed, but slowly I was getting better.
And any time my aches and pains would flare up, Dr. Lyon was there to assure me to trust in my body’s ability to heal.
In the end, Dr. Lyon was right. On Dec. 31, 11 months and three weeks after I was hit by that disappearing car, I ran in the five-kilometer New Year’s Eve Fun Run in Prospect Park, bidding farewell to the most painful year of my life and welcoming this new year of health and happiness and being healed.
So with Dr. Lyon’s help, I expect to see Gersh out there on Dec. 31, 2008.
Peter Wohlsen, Park Slope
DeBlasio sounds off on Armory
To the editor,
I strongly disagree with your misleading article about the Park Slope armory (“Wreck center: Park Slope armory is empty after $16M rehab,” Jan. 26).
I was disappointed that The Brooklyn Paper asked me for a comment about the Armory’s timeline and my response was ignored. So, to set the record straight, the process is moving along and we are expecting an announcement on the operator shortly.
Your article represents just one narrow viewpoint. Numerous community leaders are extremely enthusiastic about the Armory and about the timeline for its unveiling.
Bill DeBlasio, Park Slope
The writer is a member of the City Council.
More credit needed
To the editor,
Your recent article about the Department of Sanitation’s decision to stop writing tickets against storeowners with A-frame signs (“City throws out tickets for mom and pops’ sandwich boards,” Jan. 19) didn’t give credit where credit is due.
Two of our electeds, Councilman David Yassky and Assemblywoman Joan Millman, and their diligent staff people, working at the behest of the Southwest Brooklyn Local Development Corporation and the Atlantic Avenue Betterment Association, did all the groundwork and led the meeting that got Sanitation to re-think this issue.
On Smith Street and Atlantic Avenue, Sandy Balboza of the AABA and I made sure to tell merchants that our electeds were with the community all the way.
Bette Stoltz, Prospect Heights
The writer is president of the Southwest Brooklyn Local Development Corporation.
Upset with Ferry loss
To the editor,
As a loyal rider of the New York Water Taxi ferry from the Brooklyn Army Terminal to Wall Street, I am extremely upset and disappointed with the decision to suspend this valuable service.
The ferry is a vital addition to our mass transit system, not only helping to alleviate traffic congestion on our highways, but also providing a fast, relaxing and safe commute to and from work.
What are the city’s contingency plans to evacuate the city in the event of the next terrorist attack, blackout, transit strike or natural disaster? The ferries provided the only means in and out of the city (besides walking over the bridge) when these emergencies occurred.
New York should be thinking of expanding commuting options, not limiting them.
LoriAnn Decio, Gerritsen Beach
Unwelcome neighbor
To the editor,
After reading your article about Jim Mamary’s plan to open a bar on Hoyt Street (“Bar fight is brewing on Hoyt Street,” Jan. 26), the residents of Hoyt Street would like to respond to Mr. Mamary’s comment that the size of the proposed bar is “an inherent constraint on it getting out of hand.”
There are only six homes on the east side of the block, and four on the west, and the combined existing wine bar and proposed new bar will occupy just over 50 per cent of the east side of the block. It will completely change the character of our block.
We are also bordered on each side by a church and a school. Fifty percent of the residents of the block are children, children who will have to pass through broken glass, cigarette butts and puddles of vomit on their way to PS 32. Even if the owner tries to avoid a rowdy bar, there will still be people smoking cigarettes and talking on cellphones, and our brownstone stoops will look so inviting to them.
Police were called to his bar on Smith Street a couple of weeks ago, at 3 am, to break up a fight! We come home from busy workdays to enjoy the peace of our homes. That is our right.
Mary Hedge, Carroll Gardens
The writer is a member of Hoyt Street Alliance.
Editor’s note: Gersh Kuntzman could not run five kilometers even if he had three good ankles.
