Today - the Holiday tree…
What’s next?
I think that in the near future - to be 100 percent politically correct - you will have to use a different adjective for the Hanukkah Menorah - the Holiday Menorah…
Victor Maltsev
Rego Park
No more Homeland Security cuts
I am deeply concerned about the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s plan to cut counterterrorism funds by more than half next year, and to provide no funding at all for port and transit security. This ill-considered plan significantly imperils high-risk targets including New York City.
A recent White House memo stated that high-risk cities have largely satisfied their emergency need to boost security. Although this conclusion may be appropriate for certain locations, it is not remotely true for New York City.
There can be little doubt that New York City remains the nation’s top terrorist target and that city residents must remain ever-vigilant against terrorist threats. Slashing Homeland Security funds to New York City in light of this highly elevated risk is quite simply irresponsible.
Indeed, New York City’s current level of funding remains woefully inadequate. In February, my office issued a report that identified a number of troubling circumstances regarding New York City’s transit system and the City’s ability to respond to emergencies, including terrorist attacks.
In March, the House voted overwhelmingly to approve legislation that would provide the city with $7.3 billion over four years to boost rail and bus security. These funds would be in addition to monies flowing to New York from the Department of Homeland Security. The legislation - which has stalled in the Senate - would allow New York to add much-needed security for buses, trains, and subways, and is precisely what New York City requires.
The first priority of government is to ensure the safety and security of its residents. Accordingly, the OMB must increase - not cut - current funding for New York City’s Transit Authority, police, firefighters, and rescue departments.
I strongly urge President Bush to support this legislation, and to leave intact New York City’s current allocation from Homeland Security.
William C. Thompson, Jr.
New York City Comptroller
Let’s All Pitch In
Now that the snow-shoveling season is again upon us, perhaps apartment building maintenance personnel and the owners of corner-lot homes will make a concentrated effort to shovel the crosswalks adjacent to their properties. While the shoveling of sidewalks is good, what is even better is if once a person gets to a corner he/she is able to crossover to the next shoveled sidewalk. Otherwise, many folks, especially the elderly and infirm, remain nevertheless “snowed in” on their own block.
In addition, those businesses that are closed on either Saturday and /or Sunday might try to arrange with a nearby business that is open to shovel their sidewalks.
Taking a bit of extra responsibility and working together will surely prevent many winter “slip and slide” accidents and make for a happier and healthier citizenry.
Aldona Savicunas
Forest Hills
History lesson
I read your recent article about the Flushing Remonstrance.
I have information that indicates some Flushing Remonstrance descendents from the Thorne and Parsell families are buried in (Fort Totten) on Willets Point in Flushing, NY. My intention is to reveal the full history of this land where Fort Totten now stands and to acknowledge those brave descendents who are buried there. It would only seem appropriate for our political leaders to include a memorial tour of this Flushing land in celebration of the 350th anniversary of the Flushing Remonstrance.
William Thorne Sr. and Jr. (3rd and 4th signers of the Remonstrance) purchased this land in the 1640’s and it remained in the Thorne/Wilkins families until it was sold to Charles Willets in 1829 - “excepting and reserving the families burial ground.” The Willets family sold the land to George Irving in 1832. Irving then sold it to United States Army and they built Fort Totten in 1857. This civil war fort remained an Army base until 1999 when it was given to New York City, NYC Parks & Recreation Department and five Queensborough Fire Districts.
It is now a public park that offers guided property tours during which there is no mention of the Thorne/Wilkins families buried there in an unmarked grave.
During the past few years, I have contacted our local, state and federal politicians for guidance to date only Senator Frank Padavan and Barbara Bush have responded to me in writing commending me on my efforts.
Tom Loggia
Hopewell Junction, N.Y.
Be patient at post office
If you are a Queens resident, or a NYC resident for that matter, you may find yourself waiting in line at the post office longer than you’d like this holiday season. This is due to a systematic reduction in clerk staffing that has occurred over the last couple of years at post offices throughout our area. Decisions have been made nationally which determines the capacity of local postal personnel to provide quality service to our constituents.
If the Postal Service is to pay for itself, it can serve the rural, under-populated western portion of the United States only at the expense of those of us on the Eastern Seaboard. Fuel and labor costs for lonely western and midwestern towns are being paid for by the vast surpluses generated by metropolitan mailing. New York City is a cash cow forced to support national discrepancies with inadequate staffing.
Flushing Postmaster William Rodgers has reduced staffing for clerks, district wide. Staffing levels are determined without regard for absences, Mondays or holidays. Managers are told to hold down overtime even at stations where multiple positions are vacant. Delivery functions are routinely prioritized over retail functions. As a result, small finance stations, like the one where I work, and even full-size post offices operate some mornings with one clerk on the window.
If this is the situation where you live, grumbling or even shouting will not help. Complaints must be made directly to the congressional representatives who ultimately oversee postal directional decisions, or to the postmaster in Flushing. Failure to complain in an effective manner may result in further imminent cuts. Satisfaction cannot be achieved without an adequate work force.
Only through massive public patience, and redoubled efforts on the part of a beleaguered clerk staff, can we perhaps salvage our season of peace and goodwill.
Robert E. Warman
Glendale Window Clerk
Letters To The Editor
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