To the editor,
The Parks Department’s Dec. 30 meeting regarding the Boardwalk was one that our councilmen had been trying to arrange for the past year, when it actually might have mattered. Parks called for the meeting just the day before with us, the stakeholders, and our elected officials, Councilmen Mark Treyger (D–Coney Island) and Chaim Deutsch (D–Sheepshead Bay), Assemblymen Alec Brook-Krasny (D–Coney Island) and Steve Cymbrowitz (D–Sheepshead Bay), and state Sen. Diane Savino (D–Coney).
Since Parks had decided to ignore widespread community and local electeds’ opposition to their plan, and as of one month ago began the dismantling and removal of a section of the Boardwalk, the meeting was nothing more than a patronizing and disrespectful display of faux community involvement in decision making. It was a textbook example of slimy political double talk and double dealing, and the selling out of our community on the part of the assemblymen who funded the project. Assemblyman Cymbrowitz, citing his strong opposition to the Boardwalk plan, had recently made bold statements that he would withdraw the funding when it needed to be renewed at the start of the new year, but now has decided to fund it going forward “on a month-to-month basis,” as though doing that makes one whit of difference. This, we were told by him, was so that the $10 million of state monies that funded this didn’t go back to the state, and so that, “we can continue the conversation.” Perhaps he is interested in a meaningless coffee klatch, but the rest of us have better things to do and find his political jiujitsu quite appalling!
Being sold out by one’s own elected representatives represents a new low point and serves to sabotage our efforts. The residents of our Boardwalk communities will long remember who mislead them and were the enablers that allowed this plan to proceedRob Burstein
The writer is president of the Coney-Brighton Boardwalk Alliance.
• • •
To the editor,
The Parks Department and Assemblymen Cymbrowitz and Brook-Krasny ignoring the interests of the local community to move forward with their ridiculous plan to concrete the Boardwalk makes the kiddie rhyme “Liar, liar pants on fire” come to mind. Cymbrowitz and Brook-Krasny, who presumably are representing the interests of their constituents, have repeatedly lied to us about their real position. Noting that the local residents were vehemently against the Parks Department plan they wrote letters to the concerned parties telling us that they were in fact “hoodwinked” by the plan as much as we were and that they would defund the allocated monies as soon as it was up for renewal. Well that was a total pack of lies and Cymbrowitz, trying to play both sides of the fence, just said what he did to placate us, but did just the opposite when the time came. Cymbrowitz and Brook-Krasny should be made aware of the fact that this kind of back-stabbing will not go unrewarded when it is our time to vote for our next assemblymen. Shame on Steve Cymbrowitz and Alec Brook-Krasny. Hey, maybe they have a position for you both at the Parks Department!Nelson Levine
Coney Island
• • •
To the editor,
Wow. It is rare that we get to see a political double-cross from a front-row seat. Our community has been sold out by local Assemblymen Cymbrowitz and Brook-Krasny. Assemblyman Cymbrowitz appeared to be strongly opposed to the Boardwalk plan. He stated that he would withdraw funding when it was to be renewed. Now he is going to fund it month to month. How does that help? Not at all. Meanwhile he reassured the Parks Department that he would go on funding the project, even though he declared the opposite to garner favor with the public. Now we have been sold out by the city and by our elected representatives. Councilmen Treyger and Deutsch have acted honorably and candidly in opposing this plan. They would have been powerful allies had Cymbrowitz and Brook-Krasny joined them.
Let us remember the betrayal of these two elected officials. Let’s remember that for a long time. Readers should search “old Penn Station” on the internet. Take a look at a prime example of the glorious, graceful structures that get thoughtlessly destroyed and are lost forever. That is the fate of our beautiful, historic Boardwalk. Let us fight this destruction! Alice Shechter
Williamsburg
• • •
To the editor,
It is seldom that a politician can blatantly promise one thing and deliver another. But two seem to have done so, and it is clearly time for the public to ensure that their actions are remembered when election time rolls around again.
Assemblymen Cymbrowitz and Brook-Krasny had both promised the community to preserve the Boardwalk by not funding the project that would destroy it. They have now funded the project, acting as if a month-to-month approval had any impact other than to permit to continue a project they promised to oppose.Stuart K. Pertz
Park Slope
• • •
To the editor,
We were asked to explain what it is that we want at the Parks Department’s hastily arranged meeting last week. This was but one indication of how little actual community input has been sought by this agency with regard to a plan that has been under protest for the last five years. We patiently explained that we want a Boardwalk free of any concrete, both with respect to the underlying support structure as well as the decking. We want an open-air support structure, as now exists. Having concrete slabs makes whatever board material is placed on top of it feel as though it were concrete, since there is no give possible. As a result, the many Boardwalk walkers and runners are denied the benefits afforded by a wood or wood-like decking material when it is placed directly on top of concrete.
Also, whatever decking material is used, whether plastic or wood boards, they will be prematurely destroyed by this design. This has already been seen in a section in the amusement area where the wood was placed directly on the concrete, and within a short space of time the wood was needing replacement. As the result of debris and precipitation getting trapped and building up between the wood and the concrete under it, and with the normal freezing and thawing, the wood or plastic boards will not come close to serving out their usual lifespan. It is too easy for the Parks Department to then claim that boards, of whatever material, don’t serve well and thus decide to have them removed, and voila — a concrete “Boardwalk.”
Hurricane Sandy also provided evidence that the use of concrete at Ocean Parkway contributed to more erosion and damage to adjacent structures than did the nearby wood walkway. Also of note was the hole punched into the building on Bay 1 by the concrete slabs from the path near the water.
Instead of advocating for this Assemblymen Cymbrowitz and Brook-Krasny engaged in a shameful display of attempting to justify allowing funds to be used for a project that Cymbrowitz only weeks ago declared that he would withdraw and thereby halt. They have infuriated many of their constituents. We expect better from our representatives and when there is another election we’ll try to get it.William Burg
Coney Island
‘Grimm’ democracy
To the editor,
I was horrified to learn that Staten Island Republicans were planning to nominate Dan Donovan, the prosecutor who failed to get a grand jury indictment against the police officer who choked Eric Garner to death, as a replacement for Michael Grimm, our representative who just resigned from Congress in disgrace. If Donovan was unable to get an indictment in Staten Island in an obvious case of abuse and murder, how will he ever be able to get any legislation through Congress in Washington?
Thanks to gerrymandering, Bay Ridge and Gravesend have been forced to have a representative from Staten Island. We South Brooklynites deserve our own congressional district and representative in Congress. We are not part of Staten Island! Unfortunately, nothing is scheduled to be done about gerrymandering until 2020. Why should we have to wait five years to get our own representative?
We were defeated by Staten Island politicians in the last election and we ended up with a representative under criminal indictment. Now we are being offered an ineffective district attorney as our next representative. We Brooklynites need to represent ourselves and choose our own representative. Name withheld upon request
…
To the editor,
The double-dealing, outright lying, and manipulation of the many concerned citizens fighting to maintain a Boardwalk of wood is just despicable! Cymbrowitz at the zero hour pretended to be pro-wood while sabotaging that possibility by green-lighting the funding to begin the destruction of the boards and their replacement with concrete. His protestations to the contrary very late in the game were just for show, and he never had any intention of opposing the use of concrete. His prevarication is despicable. And Brook-Krasny is no better, having feigned little knowledge about a project he allocated millions of dollars for, and being totally unresponsive to anyone who questioned him as to his positions on the issue. The Parks Department pushed off for months all legitimate attempts by opponents of the concrete to have their righteous concerns addressed, until the city’s foregone-conclusion plans were already in the process of being implemented. They would not give any credence or respect to opponents’ legitimate positions that wood other than rainforest wood could be used, is available, and would be economically feasible, nor would they address the genuine fear of how the concrete would hold up versus wood should another superstorm like Sandy occur. They threw a bone to the advocates of wood by agreeing to a meeting with only one day’s notice at the very last minute, when it was already too late to change their tactics or operations. How any of these people can look themselves in the mirror or sleep at night is beyond me.
Name withheld upon request
…
To the editor,
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz should be embarrassed to make a U-turn at this stage of the game. His obvious piggybacking on the good deeds of Councilmen Mark Treyger and Chaim Deutsch in their efforts to truly represent their constituents is a lame effort to make us think that he cares about our community. His claim that his reversal is due to now realizing how the project was changed from its original plan is either false, or points to ignorance or indifference on his part. The community’s fight against this project has been well documented for a long time. Let us turn our attention to a real representative, Councilman Treyger, and his idea to landmark the iconic Boardwalk!Rose Cherry
Sheepshead Bay
…
To the editor,
I am a lifetime resident of the Brighton Beach community, and as such, along with my fellow residents of the area, have always enjoyed and appreciated the Boardwalk, which for us has become a virtual iconic landmark.
In common with the vast majority of my fellow residents, I am greatly dismayed by the city’s plans to modify the surface and replace the boards with a concrete and plastic material. We have expressed our concerns over this plan on numerous occasions, and thus are feelings about this matter are well known.
Councilmen Chaim Deutsch and Mark Treyger have offered our communities much support to our concerns.
What is puzzling to me at this point is the position of Assemblymen Steven Cymbrowitz and Alec Brook-Krasny. Cymbrowitz, as a result of numerous communications addressed to his office, is now taking a position of opposing the Parks Department project, after providing funding for work which in this honest opinion is being misused, whereas Brook-Krasny has not responded to any form of communication regarding this matter from any constituent.
It would appear to be incumbent on these two representatives to clarify for our community precisely where they stand on this issue. It is important for us to be informed of the truth of this matter, as these two gentlemen provided the funding for the Parks Department work, without any further inquiry as to the exact use of this funding and the exact work contemplated. One would hope that these issues would be clarified, and at the same time the Parks Department work be immediately called to question, and the funding for it cancelled.William Zucker
Brighton Beach
…
To the editor,
Deceivers, liars, and greedy. Who does this describe? Yes, you are right, politicians! They promise, but when “industry” contributes to their coffers they serve their wallets instead of their constituents. Logic, tradition, honesty, and humanity all take a back seat to our elected officials. Why is it so difficult for intelligence to win? Use sustainable trees for a Boardwalk that is made with wood boards.
Coney Island is a national treasure known throughout the nation for its beach, amusement parks, characters — and Boardwalk. At the very least have a nine-foot middle corridor fitted with boards running the long way, and recreate the past glory of the famous footpath with a four-person carriage pushed by humans (more jobs) for the great pleasure of tourists and locals. This would rejuvenate the economy. Our Boardwalk in Rockaway is having the same difficulties, but we are not as famous as Coney Island.
Andre Cadet
Belle Harbor, N.Y.
‘Grimm’ democracy
To the editor,
Former congressman Michael Grimm had no business to seek re-election as he knew he was guilty (“Grimm ending: Tax-cheating congressman to step down,” online Dec. 30, 2014). As a result, he should be made to pay for the special election. Then taxpayers wouldn’t have to foot the bill. By the way, what happened to the other 19 counts of the indictment? Did they just disappear since he pleaded guilty to one other accusation?
Under the law Gov. Cuomo doesn’t even have to call for a special election and the seat could remain vacant for two years. Hopefully, that will not occur. When the governor does call for a special election there will be no primaries. Instead, the county leaders from both parties will then shove a candidate down our throats. Since the majority of the district is in Staten Island, the county leaders from that borough will have the greater say. As we are aware, parts of south Brooklyn are also in this district. Don’t you think this is democracy at its worst?
Ed Greenspan-
Sheepshead Bay
Road hogs
To the editor,
Speed hogs cost us our cat. Kitty came to us almost six years ago on a cold March night. Not alone, Kitty brought two friends. Looking around they were probably thinking, “Yeah, this place is the one we heard about, the place that takes care of animals.” So for six happy years Kitty claimed our porch as his new home. The two friends departed and a wonderful relationship developed between us and Kitty. This big, beautiful, orange creature did not want to live inside our cozy warm residence. The porch was good enough for him, staking his claim to comfy chairs, the steps, and a cat bed we left out for him. Kitty was happy and found a new love — our dog, a beautiful Bichon. All those stories about cats hating dogs went out the window and on many a summer’s day there would be Kitty and the dog sprawled side by side. Kitty’s life did not last far into the new year unfortunately. On the first morning of what should have been the start of 2015, his life was taken by some lowlife speeder coming down E. 66th street between Avenues U and T. Guilt is upon us because that beautiful innocent cat had a habit of following his loved ones.
Crossing the street on this block at times can be a matter of life and death. For 20-plus years I have been writing, calling, sending smoke signals and carrier pigeons, and doing everything possible to alert officials to the speeding problem on these blocks, but nothing gets done about it. I get answers like “Why don’t you move?” or “What do you want me to do?” If this uncaring savage would have been going the speed limit on a residential street — 25, not 60-to-70 mph — our Kitty would be here to share more of her love for years to come.
Believe me the 300 hundred dollars we will spend to have her cremated is hard to come by, but at least we will have her with us forever. So to the speeder in the black Lexus coming out of Mill Basin at around 8:30 am on New Year’s Day, it is disgusting that you have uncaring attitude because how can you not have seen this cat crossing the street even at 70 miles a hour? You drove over him like a pot hole and never even looked back, not caring about anything but yourself and your great rush to get wherever you were going. Residents of Mill Basin and Bergen Beach have all seen the out-of-control driving that goes on here. This time it was our beloved cat. Next time it might be someone’s child. I think it’s time everyone got involved and tried to get something done before it’s too late, although I’m at a loss as to how to do that because the officials just do not care!
Perry November
Bergen Beach
Love n’ carriage
To the editor,
I’m hardly ever in Manhattan but I was there to see a play on Christmas week and I couldn’t believe the enormous crowds in our most beautiful city. I was told by my wife I looked like Jethro Bodine from the Beverly Hillbillies, amazed at the sights in the big city. I guess I did. I had a very quick conversation with a pedicab driver who was stopped for the crowds crossing the street. He was young and looked exhausted, and he was sweating even though it was cold outside. I asked him “How’s it going?” He said in broken English, “I wish I was a horse they get treated better.” Before he could say anymore the two overweight loudmouths in the back who probably had had a few drinks yelled “Giddy-up, motherf…..” while tossing pieces of pretzel at the drivers back, and he rode away.
The only thing I could think about the rest of the night was that Mayor Bill DeBlasio is so hell-bent on getting carriage horses off the streets for reasons that have nothing to do with the safety or mistreatment of the horses because it is proven these majestic animals are well taken care of. They are probably better off than the pedicab drivers because the carriage driver is not only a buffer between the horse and obnoxious riders, but also because he or she loves that horse the way you and I love our pets — they are part of the family.
Mayor de Blasio wake up and leave the horses alone. Crack down on some of the idiots who ride pedicabs, and give the pedicab drivers the same attention and concern you have been giving to the horses. The carriage horses add to the city’s beauty. I’ll remember that night forever, including the young man who would rather be a horse.
Peter G. Orsi
Marine Park
To the editor,
The media brouhaha against Target stores is about its advertisement showing a white Annie! If I remember right, Annie in the comics was white, along with Daddy Warbucks. In the first good Annie movie, the title characters, like the comics were white. The new movie “Annie” was made with a black cast as another feel-good attempt, bowing to the black community. I hope they enjoy it, as my family will not pay good money to see it. But wait, as they say on the infomercials, there is more. David Letterman got into a bit of hot water when he made fun of the new James Bond movie being filmed. After decades of Ian Fleming’s 007 hero being white, the new movie is based on a black 007! Go figure, I guess it is artistic license at the extreme.
Robert W. Lobenstein
Marine Park
To the editor,
Dante’s hell
To the editor,
Mayor Bill DeBlasio coaches son Dante to be wary and suspicious of police. However Dante is thousands of times more likely to be killed or become a victim of violent crime by his own peers than by a member of the NYPD. His biggest worry should be going to bed at night in close proximity to the enemy, including the live-in boyfriend of his mother’s former chief of staff. He was convicted of killing a young black male.
Hells Kitchen-bred Deborah Cox sang, “There’s a stranger in our house.” So true. Michael Jackson sang, “The life you save just may be your own.” Take note, Mayor DeBlasio. Coach your son not to go north of 96th Street, especially if he is wearing jewelry and brand-name attire.Al Chiappa
Sheepshead Bay
Red-icals
To the editor,
If you were watching the news broadcasts about the protests in the city, you undoubtedly saw many people carrying signs reflecting their beliefs. But wait. The people holding those signs don’t look even barely capable of having printed the signs themselves, so you might wonder who the sponsor of the rally could be. Who furnished the signs?
On the bottom of the signs is the name of the sponsor — revcom.us. So, if you’re at all curious, just click on its website and you will find, as I did, that it is “the voice of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA.”
B. Banks
Marine Park
Cuba libre?
To the editor,
Even a broken clock gets it right twice a day. Was this Obama’s “am or pm” moment? Either way, he got it right this time.
If we limited diplomatic relations to only those countries that lived up to our standards, we’d be able to fit the entire foreign service into my waiting room, and you know those guys would never pay their co-payments. Republicans should lick their wounds for not having done it themselves when they had the chance and graciously congratulate the president for doing the right thing — this time. Cuba libre? Maybe a step closer.
Stephen Finger, M.D.
Mill Basin
…
To the editor,
The car aficionados are more than excited to hear that relations between Cuba and the U.S. are thawing. Once the restrictions are lifted collectors can head to Cuba have their choice of 1940s Hudson Terraplanes, ’53 Buicks, ’55 Plymouths, and a plethora of ’57 Chevys. Yeah!Robert W. Lobenstein
Marine Park
Phony Sony
To the editor,
President Bush called North Korea evil more than a dozen years ago, and he was right. Who would ever think a little fat guy with a lousy haircut would make a mammoth corporation like Sony buckle under to his threats? That crazy little fat guy must be laughing his fat arse off. I for one wouldn’t ever buy another Sony product. I wonder if his pal Dennis Rodman congratulated him for stumping on our first amendment rights and winning?Peter G. Orsi
Marine Park
Freedom blighters
To the editor,
From now on Hollywood should run new movie scripts by all rogue nations and terrorists before wasting millions of dollars on movies they won’t be able to show because one of them doesn’t want it shown.
This should also apply to book writers and publishers, and other artists and teachers. This isn’t the first time I’ve been ashamed of my country since Obama became president, but it is the first time I ever felt so angry because we are losing a constitutional right — freedom of expression — that our men and woman in uniform fought and died for.Cronin Miller
Midwood
Boardwalk blues
To the editor,
For years there has been an intense campaign by friends, neighbors, and those with affection for the Boardwalk to keep it as it should be, and not allow it to be reconstructed as the essentially concrete sidewalk the Parks Department proposes.
We are pleased that Councilmen Chaim Deutsch (D–Sheepshead Bay) and Mark Treyger (D–Coney Island) have supported our position and oppose the plan, but are very concerned that Assemblymen Steven Cymbrowitz (D–Sheepshead Bay) and Alec Brook-Krasny (D–Coney Island) have procrastinated and sent mixed signals to a public that needs to be assured of their support.
Assemblyman Brook-Krasny has not responded to calls or emails on the subject and sent someone to support rather than oppose the plan at the design commission hearings. Assemblyman Cymbrowitz never offered a position at this crucial hearing, and although he has offered, recently, to rescind funding for the project, it may be very late in the game, and unless done with more energy, too little to win.
We are very pleased with the support our concerns have had from Deutsch and Treyger and hope that Cymbrowitz and Brook-Krasny will join them, and assure their very concerned public that successful action can happen before the December 31 deadline.
The answer to the continual threat to the integrity of the Boardwalk is to join Councilman Treyger in recognizing for all time that it is a landmark, and as such should be preserved by the New York City Landmark Commission for this and future generations.
Stuart K. Pertz
The writer is an adjunct assistant professor at Pratt Institute’s Grad Center for Planning.
Kim Gone-un
To the editor,
I think the response to North Korea’s cyber attack on Sony was a little harsh by the U.S. — if in fact we were behind their nine-hour internet interruption. Kim Jong-un must have been jumping mad when he couldn’t watch his daily cartoons or episodes of “The Three Stooges” that he watches everyday because he likes to watch Moe dropping young Kim Jong-un on his head over and over, and also believes Moe is his real grandfather. I don’t think they’ll try anything again.Nufigity Sanzone
Coney Island
…
To the editor,
It is a crying shame to see that Sony entertainment knuckled under to the demands of terrorist scum. Their cowardice has again empowered low-lifes to threaten our people and land, and possibly carry out another 9-11 attack. Each time Americans cower under threats we sink faster and faster into a shivering, sniveling, third-world power.
I say that the people of America, its leaders, military, and corporations come to terms of how great this country really is, grow a big pair, then stand up and launch a large scale 9-11 attack of our own. It’s time to silence and ignore the spineless, politically correct jellyfish that control our once-proud government, and put our full answer to terrorism where our military is.
The world is being taken over by threats from North Korean slime, Taliban cretins, and other religious and governmental dictatorships. The longer we and the remaining democracies let things slide, the more terrible the inevitable war between them and us will become.Robert W. Lobenstein
Marine Park
Cop-n-community
To the editor,
What really bothers me when I hear my neighbors in Brighton Beach and Coney Island complain about the lack of adequate police protection: Gee, the only time there are more police presence is during the summer, and mostly in Coney Island.
So the bottom line is other precincts lose officers because they are on detail elsewhere. Under Mayor Bloomberg he decided to cut the starting pay for police rookies, so why would anyone think of becoming a police officer
Where are the auxiliary cops that once were a presence in Brighton Beach? What happened to the uniformed officers I’d see on a daily basis walking up and down Brighton Beach Avenue? I’m aware that the 60th Precinct has undercover cops, but seeing uniformed cops would be a greater deterrent to any potential crime.
I’ve have been going to the community council meetings month after month, and the constant concerns from the resident about shootings seems similar to Chicago. To quote Councilman Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island), the police force needs to keep pace with the city’s population growth,
Many years ago Chicago had high-rise projects where crime was rampant. People did not know who their neighbors were, and shootings became a way of life. What the smart politicians finally did was to take down the projects and replace them with small townhouses. Then people began taking pride in their neighborhood and got to know their neighbors. Jerry Sattler
Brighton Beach
When, oh, when?
To the editor,
When are black leaders going to speak up and condemn black-on-black crime, instead of blaming cops? When are Muslim leaders going to condemn the senseless murders of innocent people by the radical Muslims? When will parents take responsibility for their young children? When will fathers raise their children with their wives, instead of just making a baby and walking away? When will the exaggerated claims of racism and the war on woman finally end? When will teachers stop getting the blame for failing students who don’t do their homework or even show up for school? When will the borders be secured? When will politicians stop lying to us? When will the streets in my area pave the streets that have been torn up for months?Maureen Parker
Sheepshead Bay
Toll-light robbery
To the editor,
The article on the toll of the Verrazano Bridge was more telling than you know (“Bridging the gap: MTA wants to raise Verrazano tolls to balance budget,” Nov. 20). So there are 180,000 vehicles crossing the bridge daily with a daily revenue of $936,000, according to a transit spokesman. If you take half of the 180,000 and they pay $10 for EZ-Pass and have the other 90,000 vehicles ride free, that would still bring in a revenue of $1,800,000. Realistically, where is all the money collected in tolls really going?Joe Donato
Park Slope
Problem students
To the editor,
It has often been said that teachers and the police know the city best. Both have been under the gun by either the Bloomberg or DeBlasio administrations. What’s the liberal answer for unsatisfactory schools? More teacher training. What’s the liberal answer to alleged abuses by police? More police training.
Let’s stop the nonsense and put the blame squarely where it deserves to be put. Our schools are failing because of the students who get away with everything and as a result feel that they can continue their disruptive ways as adults. Hence they meet confrontations with the police and soon learn that with the police you don’t play.
Let’s examine the school records of all those accused of crimes, and who did not follow police instructions not to resist.. We would find unsatisfactory behavioral records in schools. As students, they caused such mayhem that the teacher probably got blamed for not being able to “control” them and therefore received unsatisfactory ratings. Let’s end this cycle of stupidity and concentrate on the students who are disruptive in school. When nothing is done, they will invariably become emboldened criminals as adults, fully eager to challenge authority. There is a complete lack of respect for authority figures. That’s when our problems begin.Ed Greenspan
Sheepshead Bay
Mayor DeDozio
To the editor,
New York Republican Committee chairman Ed Cox suggested the Mayor DeBlasio will be the Democratic nominee for president in 2016. That reminded me of the commercial that Hillary ran in 2008 in her bid for president: “Your kids are safe and asleep and the phone rings at 3 am in the White House, etc.”
I could only imagine if DeBlasio was president and the phone rings at 3 am while he is asleep, the phone would just ring and ring, and he would turn over and pull the covers over his head and continue to sleep.Peter G. Orsi
Marine Park
War heroes
To the editor,
When I read that soldier Brent Grommet’s German shepherd was taken from him when they returned from war, it made me very sad and as mad as hell. This young soldier and his dog, Matty, were together from the beginning at basic training to deployment in Afghanistan. Both were injured by a roadside bomb.
Specialist Grommet suffered traumatic brain injury, hearing loss, chronic pain, and post-traumatic stress disorder. This soldier who fought for his country, sustained serious injuries, and was almost killed only wants his partner and best friend back with him. This is not only a very small price to ask for, but it is also the law. Robby’s Law passed in 1990 and was signed by Bill Clinton.
This hero was told by higher-ups not to speak to the media about Matty the dog or he would wind up in Leavenworth. Talk about loyalty. These two want to be together again and deserve to be. Didn’t the government already do enough to disrespect and harm our veterans with the Veterans Administration scandal? I’m not holding my breath for the return of the dog to his best friend, after we saw the way the U.S. Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi was held in a Mexican prison for more than 200 days, but I sure will be praying that Specialist Grommet and Matty are reunited. I would hate to think some bigwig took the dog home to his family and won’t give it back or worse. This is the very least we could do for one of our hero’s who was willing to put his life on the line for us.
I think those monsters being held in Gitmo are being treated better than we treat our own veterans. Our president authorized the release of five monsters for the return of one army deserter. Mr. President can’t you authorize the release of one dog for a hero?Rosie Boxer
Rockaway, N.Y.
Credit gas-bags
To the editor,
I went to a gas station expecting to use my VISA card to fill up my tank. Imagine my horror when I was told that by my using VISA to pay for the gasoline, the price would be 13 cents more per gallon! Yes, $3.45 cash per gallon versus $3.57 VISA per gallon. Outrageous.
I always knew VISA to be 10 cents more per gallon, but now it’s 13 cents more per gallon if one uses a credit card. Aaarrrgh.A. Smith
Mill Basin
Edu-vacation
To the editor,
I saw in the paper that so many children were absent more than 10 percent of the time during the last school year. This doesn’t take into account the students who are marked present and then proceed to cut classes and cause mayhem during the day.
My favorite was when parents would come to school and inform me and other teachers that they were going on vacation for 10 days to two weeks and demand that we give them the work in advance so that their child wouldn’t fall behind. This is absolutely ridiculous. If the child was not there when the work was being taught, the best the teacher could do was to give them pages to read and questions to answer from the texts. The supervisory staff should have stepped up to the plate to remind the parent that school was in session and that these vacation days were totally illegal. This was never done because principals fear parents.
Years ago if a child was absent excessively, the child was not promoted. This would never occur today, as supervisors look to get rid of children who are chronic discipline problems and whose absences are a relief both for them and the teacher.Ed Greenspan
Sheepshead Bay
Dems the breaks
To the editor,
Yes, it’s super important to be informed and to have opinions but a constant, repetitive drone of negativity, cynicism, anger, and fear accomplishes nothing. It’s far too easy to be critical of others. It’s much more difficult to devise something positive and or good, or to invest the time and effort necessary to become actively involved in local or larger issues and programs in place, or to spend some time trying to offer up something positive: an idea, a movement, or even something already in place that might spark change for the better.
C’mon, two wrongs do not make a right. Just because the other (red) side does it does not mean “we” should too. “We” lost the 2014 midterm elections because the right messages weren’t getting put out and what was being said did not engage the voters enough to get them to actually vote. Maybe it’s time to try other tactics?Barry Brothers
Homecrest
Blott Stringer
To the editor,
Comptroller Scott Stringer is a spoiled child having a temper tantrum. Perhaps he needs a time out. Who knew that taxpayers are paying for members of the NYPD Intelligence Division to serve as his personal security detail. Stringer recently fired four of New York’s Finest from this security detail because they were late in picking him up from his expensive Manhattan home one morning. Is anyone aware that Stringer is the target of any terrorist groups which would merit this level of protection? I seriously doubt that al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Islamic State or any other terrorists are even aware of his existence.
Municipal employees could never get away with the same abuses. They could not use city vehicles during work hours to chauffeur spouses around town. At a minimum, they would have to reimburse the city for the costs of all these personal trips. The Department of Investigations needs to take a look at this serious potential waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayers dollars.
Let Stringer assign one of his several hundred staff members to serve as his personal chauffeur. Better yet he could set an example and follow Manhattan Councilman Dan Garodnick’s bill requiring employers with 20 or more workers to sign up for transit checks. Stringer could do likewise and give up both his free parking space at City Hall and his special police parking permit. He can use his transit check to purchase MetroCards. This will afford Stringer the opportunity to join several million constituents who use public transportation on a daily basis and also contribute to a cleaner environment. Stringer talks about being a friend of the 99 percent, yet he prefers the perks of a one percenter.Larry Penner
Great Neck, N.Y.
MTAaaargh!
To the editor,
There was a time long ago when the Metropolirtan Transportation Authority’s etiquette campaign to bring back good manners — “It’s A Subway Car, Not A Dining Car” and “Stop the Spread Please Its a Space Issue” — was not necessary. In the 1960s it was common to find both penny gum and soda machines dispensing products at subway stations. Clean and safe bathrooms were readily available. It was a time when people respected authority and law.
Previous generations of riders did not litter subway stations and buses leaving behind gum, candy wrappers, paper cups, bottles, and newspapers. No one would openly eat pizza, chicken or other messy foods while riding a bus or subway. Everyone paid their way and there was no fare evasion.
Today riders have to deal with conductors who close the doors while crossing the platform attempting to transfer from a local to the express train. Try looking for the proper way to depose of your old newspaper as more trash cans are removed from more stations. Riders have to deal with aggressive panhandlers, people eating as if at home or in a restaurant, those hogging two seats, yawning, coughing or sneezing without covering and the release of flatulence. Women are periodically accosted by gropers while perverts engage in other unhealthy sexual activities.Larry Penner
Great Neck, N.Y.
