Good person saved cat

On Sunday, March 18, I took my old, sick cat to a veterinarian on Woodhaven Boulevard in Rego Park fearing that she would have to be put down. The vet wanted to give her a chance and administered fluids and antibiotics. I wrapped her small body up and put her back into her carrier and onto a luggage carrier for the long walk home and to make her comfortable.
Unfortunately, the door of the carrier did not lock properly, and along the way, the cat fell out without my noticing. Devastated, I screamed her name, retraced my steps, and searched under cars for hours along Fitchett Street in Rego Park but to no avail. I put up signs on trees along the way.
The next day, a Good Samaritan named Julia D. living on Fitchett Street called telling me that she had found my cat when she opened her door and the cat walked in adding that she had taken her to a hospital in Woodhaven for treatment. She saw my signs on trees and returned my poor, old, toothless cat to me.
She said she did not want reimbursement but accepted only part of what she had paid to save my cat. This nice person had no idea whether this cat was a family pet or a stray. There are still some nice people. The cat is back home, still very sick but being cared for, and has a chance at life because of this caring person.
Myrna Wittlin
Rego Park

Help our hero volunteers
Mayor Bloomberg had it right in testimony before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee when he called on Congress to reopen the $7 billion September 11 Victim Compensation Fund, which was officially closed to new applicants more than three years ago. All New Yorkers - and Americans - can agree on this apolitical issue.
Every single person who participated in and helped at the recovery scene on 9/11 must be fully and fairly compensated for any illness they have or eventually come up with that is related to the heroic efforts they provided their fellow citizenry on that tragic day. Our bodies and health conditions are all different and some symptoms take longer to appear than others.
It would be wrong not to offer these heroes proper medical care and attention. There cannot be any timetables on this effort. These wonderful Americans deserve better.
Now many are sick, feeling the effects of doing so. We must all stand united and defy any persons or bureaucratic agency within our government who think differently. These quiet heroes need our assistance and should get it immediately. It is the least we can do to say thank you.
Kevin B. Kamen
Baldwin

One happy reader
It is always a pleasure to write a letter of recommendation for such a talented writer as Karen James. Her article, “The Force Is With Her,” [which appeared as a Senior Profile] has impressed many people who have read this story. She wrote to the point, not only in an interesting but newsworthy fashion.
Beside her talent, she impressed me as pleasant, cordial and personable.
The Queens Courier photographer, Christina Santucci, was also a very nice person and they were both quite professional. They are certainly assets to your paper.
Maria Ferrar
Kew Gardens

Many questions — no answers
I have written over 40 letters to my representatives and government officials, received five responses but no answers to my questions; what irreplaceable structure, timeless artifact, priceless home, ageless monument, cultural or historical imperative demands the expropriation of 1,300 homes in the name of “historic preservation”?
Why isn’t zoning sufficient to preserve the important elements of our community, the “sense of place,” the open space and building size?
Are the zoning laws ineffective due to lack of enforcement? Lack of oversight?
Why weren’t alternative zoning solutions examined and tried before expropriating property rights? It is intellectually dishonest to claim that “McMansions” are a result of the absence of landmark designation.
Instead of offering leadership and possible solutions, the few who responded asserted that it is constitutional for an unelected bureaucracy to expropriate my property and for me to be deprived of a vote on the matter. They assured me however, I still have the right to voice my opinion at a “public hearing.”
Landmark designation offers no benefits to the homeowner other than an inflated sense of self-net worth. Proponents claim property values will go up but the direct beneficiary of the higher tax rates on higher valuations is the city government; not to mention sweetheart deals with consultants, contractors, building supply providers, architects, urban planners, etc. The homeowner is left with higher tax bills, forms, fees, surcharges and higher prices for approved materials.
In addition, it is easier and more profitable to fine homeowners using the wrong color paint than to find and prosecute building code violators.
Ed Konecnik
Flushing

Vicarious traveler
Dear Victoria,
Although your column is called Victoria’s Secrets, I am really happy that your voyages to distant places are not “secrets!” I must say that I am not quite “up to” negotiating the same long trips that you seem to thoroughly enjoy, but at least I am “traveling vicariously” through your written tales of exotic adventures in Thailand and other fascinating locales.
Your photos are also quite unique and lovely.
Please keep traveling!
Leonore Brooks
Whitestone