The 51st State
February 4, 2010
To the Editor:
The Jimmy Breslin Q&A (Jan. 28) was a wonderful trip down memory lane. It reminded me of a great idea put forward by the team of Norman Mailer/Jimmy Breslin in the 1969 Democratic mayoral primary. They proposed making New York City the 51st state. Considering the historic imbalance of tax dollars going to both Albany and Washington versus how much state and federal assistance is received in return, Big Apple residents would be better off keeping funds sent to Albany. Two U.S. senators could insure a more equitable return of federal assistance to New York City.
Larry Penner
Great Neck, Long Island
Letters have been edited for clarity, style and brevity.
Support for Paterson
February 4, 2010
To the Editor:
While it may help to compare New York to some other state governments (New Jersey, California) that are arguably even more dysfunctional than our own Empire State, it’s a poor consolation (“The Right Reforms,” Editorial, Jan. 14).
This is not even a partisan battle. Entrenched thinking, special interests and sweetheart deals have long polluted that particular pool, and the recipients of those “perks” like things as they are: dirty. [Read more]
Ford’s Senate Ambitions
January 27, 2010
To the Editor:
“Run, Harold, Run” (Editorial, Jan. 21)? A really bad mistake! Mr. Ford has been in Manhattan for a whole three years. What does he know about us or our sister boroughs? Because he has chosen to live here, I have to ask, “Mr. Ford, do you know me?” Of course not! But Jerry Nadler does, as does Carolyn Maloney, Charlie Rangel, David Paterson, Chuck Schumer AND Kirsten Gillibrand, to name just a few.
No, I’m not an elected official. I am a very dedicated Democratic activist who is really, really deep down grassroots. I am active in my Democrat club (Community Free Democrats) and I have volunteered in a wide range of campaigns. I have crossed rivers and borders, autoed, bused, trained and planed. [Read more]
Artist’s Thanks
January 13, 2010
To the Editor:
I want to thank Kerri MacDonald for such a nice article about me and my “children” (“Hidden Treasures on Display,” Dec. 24). I was delighted to see it—and good photos, too—on the Internet this morning.
I try so hard to bring some peace into this troubled world. I was born during the Deep Depression in England in the 1930s, and I survived. My daddy was killed in WW II during a blitz on Exeter. He was serving in the Auxiliary Fire Service and lost his life saving others. I came to the United States in 1956 and became a citizen.
Joy Gush
Artist, Turtle Bay
Letters have been edited for clarity, style and brevity.
Forgotten Lesson
January 13, 2010
To the Editor:
Ms. Merkl (I believe) started out attempting to let us know we all could do better, be better and should keep believing (“Back to Basics,” New York Gal, Dec. 31). She attempts to let us know how poorly we treat each other, how we can handle situations better, and goes on to say that when she saw Susan Boyle on Britain’s Got Talent, she looked “like Dan Aykroyd in drag as Julia Child.” Ms. Merkl, have you forgotten your own lessons?
Dorian Julien
East 65th Street
Letters have been edited for clarity, style and brevity.
‘Hate’ Crime Question
January 8, 2010
To the Editor:
Joseph Holladay was beaten on my front steps while visiting me. I found him lying in a pool of blood. They called him “faggot” while beating him. He was beaten because of who he was and ended up in the hospital. I think it is horrible that politicians pass hate crime bills and then the Justice Department drops hate crime charges (“Bias Attack Becomes Assault,” Express, Dec. 24). It seems we are fighting a losing battle. The politicians are going to have to stay on top of the Justice Department to make sure justice is actually done.
John Jerome
East 85th Street
Letters have been edited for clarity, style and brevity.
Puppy in the Window
January 8, 2010
To the Editor:
Kudos to “Ask the Vet” contributor Dr. Robin Brennen for her “On Pets as Presents” column (Dec. 24), in which she explained the importance of thinking long and hard before getting a pet, and promoted adopting from a shelter.
Dr. Brennen briefly mentioned “that puppy or kitten in the window.” The great majority of (if not all) puppies sold in pet shops come from commercial breeding facilities, otherwise known as “puppy mills.” [Read more]
Garodnick Goes Green
December 31, 2009
To the Editor:
New York City took a quantum leap in its efforts to combat climate change, for which we owe Council Member Dan Garodnick a tremendous debt of gratitude.
The “Greener, Greater Buildings Plan,” which the City Council passed Dec. 9, will improve energy efficiency in existing buildings, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs and create thousands of green-collar jobs. It is, quite literally, the most forward-thinking green buildings plan adopted by any large city in the country. [Read more]
Let’s Keep Krueger
December 31, 2009
To the Editor:
In response to Michael Cohen’s comments (“Trump Lawyer Wants Krueger Fired,” Dec. 17), let me say that I believe that neither in politics nor in cards can anyone trump State Sen. Liz Krueger!
Betty Cooper Wallerstein
Upper East Side
Letters have been edited for clarity, style and brevity.
People, Not Trees
December 23, 2009
To the Editor:
I do not want to sound like a grinch or Scrooge, but your article glorifying sellers of Christmas trees (“Evergreen Guys,” Dec. 17) was not just hopelessly one-sided, but not entirely accurate. You say that, “[M]ost of the Christmas tree operations are on city sidewalks, and only require consent from the property owner fronting the sidewalk.” Not quite. Although Christmas tree vendors are exempt from most of the vendor regulations, they are subject to administrative code section 19-136(a)(4), which requires that, “a passageway shall be kept open on the sidewalk so obstructed for the free movement of pedestrians.” [Read more]
