I would like to address your March 22-28 Bayside Times editorial “Skala Rides Again.” I have lived in the immediate neighborhood of St. Mary’s Hospital for the better part of 60 years. I remember when the original building was erected. It was run by Episcopal nuns, who lovingly tended to the chronically ill children in their care.
It was a welcome addition to our little neighborhood where I spent my childhood, and later my married life as I raised my own children. We would eagerly await for our annual visit from the children of St. Mary’s, who were taken around the neighborhood on Halloween.
Wheelchairs, crutches and many other medical accoutrements accompanied these children, but their happy faces as they eagerly awaited their treats will always stay with me. My mother-in-law was honorary godmother to many of the young St. Mary’s residents.
The issue concerning the expansion of St. Mary’s is not about “sick children” or the opposition to having a facility that can take adequate care of them.
What this is about is a huge corporation running roughshod over a residential neighborhood that cannot comfortably acclimate to the expansion. It is my understanding that St. Mary’s was offered space in another part of Queens that is more adaptable to its needs.
Parking, noise, pollution and an increasing flow of traffic have taken a serious toll, not to mention many of the caretakers of the children loitering on the outskirts of the St. Mary’s property taking cigarette breaks. Great examples to sick children.
This might be a good time for the sake of Bayside to take a closer look at St. Mary’s and not get caught up in the emotional banter about sick children but big business.
Susan Broderick
Bayside
