Rudy Giuliani has now moved closer to a presidential run by filing a statement with the Federal Election Commission, which I applaud. He had many achievements as mayor. He cleaned up our city by restricting porn shops to manufacturing districts and phased out existing sex shops. Then he created a program where 100,000 able-bodied home relief recipients were required to work cleaning parks and street buildings. He also worked tirelessly to bring down crime.
His most lasting achievement and legacy was his response to the 9/11 terrorists attack, when he brought the city together. His strength of character did shine like a beacon in the night. I believe Rudy Giuliani is a man that can lead this nation and whose time has come. So Rudy, go for it.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Bellerose
Suffer The Children
The president’s 2008 budget proposal is a real disappointment for families that need after-school programs and for all of us who want to see children in safe, supervised activities with opportunities to learn and grow each afternoon.
The president proposes to spend less than $1 billion for after-school programs in Fiscal Year 2008 - far less than the $2.5 billion authorized by the No Child Left Behind Act for 2007. At a time when 14 million K-12 kids in this country are unsupervised in the afternoons, we must do better.
After-school programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and help working families, and there is no question that we need more of them. National polls tell us that an overwhelming majority of Americans want after-school programs to be expanded
Let’s hope that when Congress works on the 2008 budget, they keep our kids in mind and increase funding for after school programs.
Deepmalya Ghosh
Flushing
Bungling Bus Routes
The government defends its bungling of school bus routes by rebuking its critics saying “they have no experience in doing anything,” perhaps suggesting bungling is better than doing nothing.
It is the height of arrogance to mock the aggrieved parties who have mistakenly placed their trust in government to do the right thing.
It is reasonable to assume that if bus routes can be bungled, not to mention mail delivery, so can our property rights if placed in the hands of the NYC Landmark Commission.
President Ronald Reagan warned “the most terrifying words in the English language are: “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”
Ed Konecnik
Flushing
You Have The Power
When does this government get too big and oppressive? Will the government read your mail? Will the government keep track of your phone calls? We are seeing these things play out before our very eyes.
I do not know about you, but there are good things in America that need to be defended. The First Amendment must be defended. Free speech matters! Freedom matters! We should have the right to speak out against our leaders when our leaders are wrong.
The Second Amendment must be defended. We may need gun rights to rebel against an unjust government someday. Do not believe the politicians when they say they just want to make the streets safer.
If you do not like the Constitution, then go live in China or North Korea. In America, many soldiers gave their lives because they cherished family, freedom, and God.
What needs to happen in America is that Americans need to pick up a copy of the Constitution and read it. We need to remind our political leaders that the Constitution is the only thing preserving what is left of liberty in the good old USA!
One more thing - your influence counts! Use it!
Michael Mullaney
Bayside
Designate Sunnyside Gardens Historic District
I am writing to express strong support for designation of Sunnyside Gardens as an official NYC Historic District. Sunnyside Gardens is presently a National Register Historic District, recognized as a significant model of urban planning. It is a charming and serene enclave, noted for its architecturally consistent and distinct majority of row houses with communal gardens. A perfect complement is its harmonious apartment dwellings and neighboring parkland.
Early 20th century urban planners and architects had a vision, and were inspired by the English Garden City movement. Developers reserved large areas for open space, incorporated unique architectural touches, minimized construction costs, and created affordable housing. They achieved their goals by placing the community first-hand, unlike various developers of recent years in Queens. Without a designation of all of the above features, the cohesiveness of a prime neighborhood remains at risk.
As Landmark records prove, Queens is malnourished when it comes to historic districts and individual landmarks. On behalf of Queens residents, preservationists, historians, and civics, a greater amount of time and resources needs to be allocated for a highly deserving but presently lacking borough.
Michael Perlman
Rego-Forest Preservation
Council, Chair
