Double Standard
To The Editor:
I have a complaint that I think you will agree is a legitimate grumble. Let me set the scene. I read most of your stories but never miss your “Crime Watch” section, which covers assaults, thefts, robberies, petty crimes, etc. One unique feature of the section is that you never print the name of the person who allegedly committed the offense in your headlines. That is, until your Aug. 12 issue with the bold-faced “Guiliani’s Daughter Arrested” instead of something like “Young Lady Arrested,” which would have been the headline any other time.
I can only deduce that you used Caroline Giuliani as a foil to take a low, cheap shot at her father who was hailed throughout the land in 2001 as “America’s Mayor.” Or did you forget?
Joe Morrone
Upper East Side
No Segregation For Seniors
To The Editor:
I am opposed to segregation of people in public facilities based on race, age, sex or religion, and so I naturally oppose an “old people only” section of a public park (“At John Jay Park, You Must Be This Old To Enter,” July 15) or a public anything. The elderly are marginalized enough in our society without creating separate areas for them in public parks. Public parks should be places where all members of society are encouraged to mingle freely. Read more
Senior Park Support
To The Editor:
To demonstrate the far-reaching enthusiasm generated by the concept of a new Senior Site incorporated in John Jay Park, Sister Catherine—a former New Yorker—now writes to us from California:
“I love the idea of a park for the elderly. To have older people feel that they have a safe place to go—and one that offers some projects that seniors will enjoy—delights my heart. Hooray for Councilmember Jessica Lappin, who is seeking financing for the park. It suggests that she will be ‘watching it’ to see that all is well. This humanizes a city in which officials care about people they are elected to serve. And kudos to Betty Cooper Wallerstein, the East 79th Street Neighborhood Association and Community Board 8 for giving life to this project! Good luck to all. Catherine McMahon, RSCJ”
We couldn’t agree more, Sister Catherine!
Marge Bluemle, Loretta Ponticello and Molly Blayney
Upper East Side
Colorful History
To The Editor:
Can we ever have (“Uncovering Forgotten New York,” Aug. 5) too many historians? Never! Especially when they so eloquently bring our fascinating local history back to life. Coney Island’s “Dreamland,” the Triangle Shirtwaist fire—almost everyone knows a little about these, but it’s people like Kevin Baker filling in the details and revealing the back story that makes it play like a newsreel. Thanks for introducing us to him.
Chris A. Randolph
Upper East Side
Dangerous Walkway
To The Editor:
The walkway/bikeway along the East River from East 63rd Street to East 81st Street has been in terrible condition for many years and keeps getting worse. There are fenced off areas which are now larger and more numerous. They are hazards that are waiting for accidents to happen. The city spent a lot of money to build a dog park at 61st Street. Why can’t it do something for humans?
Albert Pearlman
Upper East Side
Tragic Loss
To the Editor:
The death of Michael Ward, victim of a hit-and-run driver (“Hit and Run on East Side,” Aug. 5), marks yet another tragedy that could have been prevented if our city government was sincerely committed to making New York an age-friendly city. Read more
Yorkville Memories
To The Editor:
Tommy (“A Look at Old Yorkville, One Story at a Time,” July 29) has a way of looking at his world with the wonder of a child and the wisdom of the ages. He never ceases to amaze. Thank you, Our Town, for putting this East Side treasure front and center.
Jon Calvert
Upper East Side Read more
Watching New York’s Checkbook
To The Editor:
As an advocate in New York City for more than three decades, I’m often asked, “Where do my tax dollars go?”
Those answers can be found at the Checkbook NYC website recently launched by City Comptroller John Liu. Read more
Subway Health Concerns
To The Editor:
I am very concerned about the public health implications of the Second Avenue Subway construction. The dust is aggravating the asthma of my family members. What will the long-term effects be? Is anyone monitoring this? Plus, our building is now infested with mice, from the construction.
Did New Yorkers get to vote on this subway? It is hurting the property values all along Second Avenue. When will it end?
Beth Demel
Upper East Side
Senior Park Needs Clear Label
To the Editor:
I think a Senior Park at John Jay Park is a very nice idea (“At John Jay Park, You Must Be This Old To Enter,” July 15). However, a comment in the story about the name of the park containing “nothing that says seniors or older people” caught my eye and got me to thinking. Read more
