Well, governor, here is an opportunity to prove you are not an elitist politician, not in the pockets of high-line developers and that you care about the needy people of this city that you govern.
You have the opportunity to build affordable housing in the Rockaways and Staten Island. If you overlook this opportunity and ignore the unfortunate families living in cars with children and others living in cardboard boxes because the shelters designed for them are unsafe and riddled with drugs and drug abusers, you will pay a high price when you decide to run for higher office.
I suggest you take advantage of the condemned houses you bought in the Rockaways and start building those affordable housing units.
By the way, governor, what plans do you have for all the psychiatric hospitals your father closed when he was governor?
They are just sitting on acres of property dwindling away. They, too, can be used to get children out of living and dressing in cars, if they are lucky enough to have one, and washing in gas station bathrooms or fast food restaurants after they search for something to eat in dumpsters.
It sure would be an esteem-builder for so many of those unfortunate kids in our city.
Who knows? They may not be as lucky as some, being born into wealthy families, but they can one day become a governor if given the chance to grow up with self-esteem, pride and a clear head to make good grades.
Joyce Shepard
Bayside
