Once again, the FDNY is in mourning, losing two very fine and dedicated firefighters. This was a senseless tragedy. Why weren’t the standpipes in that building in proper working order? Why was there so much combustible material on those floors?
There must be a thorough investigation as to why this fire occurred so that such a tragic situation will not happen again.
My deepest sympathies go out to the Beddia and Graffagnino families as well as the Fire Department - you are not alone in your grief - all of New York grieves along with you.
John Amato
Fresh Meadows
Streets are littered too!
The Lawn Litter Bill was signed into law by Governor Eliot Spitzer recently. It was sponsored by Senator Frank Padavan and Assemblymember Mark Weprin. This law allows homeowners to stop the practice of restaurant menus and circulars from piling up on their lawns.
I live in Bayside near two schools, Cardozo High School and Queens Community College, which are located right across from each other on 56th Avenue, between Cloverdale and Springfield Boulevard.
Many students use this area as a garbage dumping ground. They throw their lunch bags on the sidewalk after they eat and clean out their cars. The area homeowners have to clean up after them, especially on the sidewalk on 56th Avenue near Cardozo High School. These students are just selfish people.
To add to the mess, there are no trashcans in this area or at the bus stops along 56th Avenue and Springfield Boulevard. The schools need to take responsibility for their students. They need to send out some of their employees to clean up as well as add more garbage cans.
Cardozo High School is out for the summer and there are only summer classes at Queens Community College, therefore much of the current litter along 56th Avenue was dumped by college students.
It makes me angry that these college students have never learned to respect other people and their property. I am sure that you would not dump the garbage right outside your own front doors!
Respect the people and make the city clean; do not act like a Litter Bug!
Helina Cheung
Bayside
Bravely Seeking the ‘American Dream’
Speaking with some of the new immigrants living in the development where I have lived for many years, I sometimes wonder what happened to the “American Dream.”
People often risk their lives coming to the United States in search of a “better way of life for themselves and children.” To their disappointment and chagrin, language barriers, lack of employment opportunities, shortage of affordable housing, and inadequate health care, are all that awaits many of them. Many of these once optimistic people cannot find a new and superior life-style that they longed for, the very “dream” which prompted them to leave relatives and friends behind in the “old country.”
I hope that with a new administration in place, these deserving folks will be able to make their “American Dream” a reality.
Leonore Brooks
Whitestone
Mourning our Bravest . .
Another sad day for our city for we have lost two more of our bravest. Firefighters Joseph Graffagnino and Robert Beddia lost their lives fighting a fire at ground zero in the Deutsche Bank building on Saturday, August 18. We mourn with their families and with their brothers at Engine 24/Ladder 5 firehouse. The Fire Department has lost so much since 9/11 and our prayers go out to all of them. Our city owes much too all the firefighters who respond when they are called and give their all to save lives and property. It reminds us how dangerous firefighting is and how much we owe to the men and women who put their lives on the line every day for us.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Bellerose
Plant more trees
Two years ago, I participated in the Tree Census in Queens. I spent five days in the sweltering summer heat walking around the neighborhood near Francis Lewis Boulevard, counting nearly 270 trees. Most of them were in good shape, but many were in need of heavy pruning or complete removal. This problem seemed to exist all over Fresh Meadows too.
During this summer, I have walked around the area, and have seen many dead or partially dead trees, as well as healthy ones that are in need of pruning. The dead and dying trees need to be removed before they fall on cars, houses or seriously injure pedestrians.
While I have observed that more trees have been planted, which is very good, a lot more planting needs to be done. Trees give us oxygen, provide us with shade on hot days, and help to reduce flooding through absorption of rainwater into their root systems. I hope that more trees will be planted over the next few years.
John Amato
Fresh Meadows
Financing communism
Here we go again. Tainted pet food, poisoned toothpaste, and now junk tires. Why do U.S. dollars subsidize communism through such transactions? If American firms delivered such spurious wares, they would be (rightly) sued, bankrupted, and jailed. However, since this economic “partner” is China - we rush to place that next order.
The truth is that all commerce with communist nations must be halted, lest we promote that very system of repression through our dollars.
We are the richest nation on earth - but by inadvertently strengthening our enemies in the name of “business” - also the most naive. Wake up, America.
Joe Hammell
Waynesboro, PA
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