To the editor,
Gee, I wonder what planet Gersh Kuntzman comes from because I know it’s not Brooklyn. I was born and brought up in Park Slope when it was a true family neighborhood. People fought with each other but were there for each other, too. And they had real problems. REAL PROBLEMS! They didn’t go ballistic over rubber bands in the street (“Rubber band man fights on,” The Brooklyn Angle, Aug. 25).
I no longer live in my beloved neighborhood. I moved out because of people like Gersh. He invaded like a pack of aliens and destroyed the family atmosphere of Park Slope. Maybe one day, Gersh will have some real troubles and can stop worrying about nonsense.
Denise Decker, Bay Ridge
Editor’s note: Kuntzman lives in Park Slope with his wife and two kids — a family, last time he checked.
• • •
To the editor,
It seems Gersh Kuntzman has a compulsive disorder with either rubber bands or the postal service (maybe both)! I’m all for environmental and health consciousness, but first you must look within your own backyard.
Why doesn’t The Brooklyn Paper tell its Yuppies not to put poop (feces) in residential garbage cans when walking their puppies?
And why doesn’t The Brooklyn Paper criticize the same people for buying real Christmas trees instead of artificial ones? Cutting down a tree just for a holiday period, then putting it in the garbage, is environmental murder.
You get my point: It’s easier to criticize somebody else than to see yourself.
Name and neighborhood withheld
Remembering Jack
To the editor,
Thanks for the obituary on Jack Gallahue (“John Gallahue, 76,” Sept. 1). He was a master therapist, a man of great compassion and vision, filled with an enormous love of life. All who were privileged to know him felt touched and embraced by his humanity. A truly irreplaceable man!
Bill Wertheim, Westchester
Not sweet on rodeo
To the editor
Few things would horrify me more than a rodeo being brought to Brooklyn (“Rodeo gal wants to fill park with bull,” Aug. 25). Without the use of spurs, tail-twisting, and bucking straps cinched tightly around their abdomen and groin, these frightened and often docile animals wouldn’t even buck.
They are terrorized into action when they have shoved into them electric prods, their necks twisted, when they are yanked by their tails or legs, slammed to the ground, or otherwise battered.
Victoria Booth, Bay Ridge
She loves Bklyn
To the editor,
The tourist guides did not prepare my husband and me for the friendly and caring Brooklynites whom we met during our first visit last month.
We delighted in the hospitality at The Tavern on the Dean, Tom’s restaurant and the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. We stared in awe at the Statue of Liberty from the porch restaurant at Fairway. We imposed on Brooklyn folks to photograph us in front of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, the East River boat traffic and the distant New Jersey shore.
The most-impressive experience of the entire weekend occurred when my husband forgot his wallet after a ride in a yellow cab. The loss was reported to the police and the cab company. Within 24 hours, a cab company employee phoned to report the return of the wallet by one of their taxi drivers. All of the contents were intact.
The sights of Brooklyn are impressive. But the people of Brooklyn surpass its tourist attractions. We will never forget their honesty and their helpfulness. They turned a possible disaster into an unforgettable, happy memory.
Beth Thomson, North Reading, MA
Lysiak lover
To the editor,
I moved to Bay Ridge from Downtown Brooklyn earlier this year and want to commend Matthew Lysiak and your newspaper for its coverage of this community.
I was pleased to read Lysiak’s column about the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge reconstruction project and the news that it will be completed six months ahead of schedule (“Verrazano fix-up zoom$ along,” Bay Ridge Edition and online, Aug. 25). Like any construction project, it has caused traffic jams and driving hassles.
I want to publicly thank Rep. Vito Fossella for, as your article stated, getting the MTA to finish the project ahead of schedule. It is refreshing to see elected officials pay attention to important local issues and get actual results, not just have photo-ops.
Michael J. Bruno, Bay Ridge
Ridge needs spots
To the editor,
Your recent story about a new parking lot on 87th Street (“Beep approves Century 21 lot,” Bay Ridge edition and online, Aug. 25) did not point out that the 279-space garage will make a tiny dent in Bay Ridge’s need for 1,000 more spaces along its three main retail streets. What Bay Ridge (and all shopping streets) actually need is the AVAILABILITY of parking spaces.
My company, Community Consulting Services developed a dozen strategies to accomplish that, but due to local politics, the initiative was quashed.
Carolyn Konheim, Boerum Hill
Ridge ain’t N.O.
To the editor,
Your article regarding the federal relief funding for tornado victims in Bay Ridge caught my attention (“FEMA to Ridge: Ask Bush,” Aug. 25). I don’t disagree with the fact that those people in Bay Ridge need our help, but what about New Orleans?
Bush was also on vacation at the time of Hurricane Katrina and chose to ignore the situation. What makes Brooklyn different? Bush didn’t care then and he doesn’t care now.
If it has nothing to do with the war we’re fighting for and profits for his corporate pals, you might as well not have a voice.
Renee Rodriguez, Williamsburg
