Letter: Anonymous Letters

This past week I received an anonymous letter castigating potential Manorhaven mayoral candidate Giovanna Giunta for not attending a meeting years ago about the then-proposed cell tower.

Why would a village resident be castigated for not attending a meeting that he or she didn’t schedule? A myriad of things could prevent attendance. And I’m writing this letter to comment on anonymous letters and the fact that they have no place in community politics, as they allow unbridled – and unfair – character attacks with no fear of retribution. As such, I feel they should be completely discounted.

Letter: Congratulations To John DiLeo

I want to congratulate my friend, John DiLeo, on becoming mayor of the Village of Manorhaven. The village trustees made a wise decision by choosing John to fill the vacancy in this important office.

Letter: Vote YES For School Budget And Roof Bond

After months of discussion and careful consideration of the needs of the students and the community, the board of education has proposed a responsible budget in these trying times. The proposed 2.07 percent budget increase maintains our district’s quality educational programs and is within the tax cap.

And, after many discussions and inspections of our schools’ roofs, the board of education is proposing a much-needed $6.975 million bond. This bond will allow the district to install a new roof at Weber and sections of roofing at Schreiber, Guggenheim and Sousa. The district will borrow only the dollars it needs for this work, which will eliminate a danger to our entire community.

Letter: Support School Budget And Roof Bond

The biblical imperative to “turn the other cheek” is often misconstrued to mean one should allow another to attack more than once, unchallenged. I choose to believe the meaning of the teaching to be this: give those who would attempt to harm you the opportunity to make a better choice—to do the right thing.

For decades, educational professionals working in Port Washington have devoted their lives to providing quality public education to the wonderful children in this community. Working in partnership with parents and community groups, we have far exceeded what the statistics would predict, given the wide range of socioeconomic, cultural and academic backgrounds our students represent. However, the dedicated teachers in Port Washington don’t view their students through a single lens. We strive to help every student imagine and achieve goals beyond expectations…and we often succeed. Our partnership has produced remarkable results.

Editorial: Pete Fornatale Signs Off

“There goes the last DJ/Who plays what he wants to play/And says what he wants to say, hey hey hey...” – Tom Petty “The Last DJ”

On April 26, a seminal voice that was an integral part of the local airwaves was silenced when Port Washington’s hometown hero Pete Fornatale died from a stroke at the age of 66. Part of the class of free-form rock DJs whose ranks included Dennis Elsas, Vince Scelsa and Carole Miller along with late lamented names like WNEW-FM icons Scott Muni, Fornatale mentor Rosko and Alison Steele, the former high school teacher was part of a vanguard of FM broadcasters who counterbalanced the condescending and infantilized manner in which the dominant AM stations of the ’60s and early’70s treated rock ’n’ roll. And while corporate radio monoliths eventually wrapped their rapacious tentacles around any semblance of creativity by way of narrow formatting, skeletal playlists and jocks who were essentially scripted if not automated, Fornatale was one of the dwindling group of Don Quixotes titling at the Clear Channel windmills of the world.

Letter: Walls Around Cell Tower Violate Village Code

(Editor’s note: this letter was sent to Steven Leventhal, the attorney who represented the Village of Manorhaven in the lawsuit brought against the village by AG Towers in 2009 regarding the stop-work order. It was also sent to Port Washington News for publication. Leventhal has sent two letters over the past few weeks to William D. Wexler, the attorney representing AG Towers, in an attempt to bring discussions regarding relocation of the cell tower back to the table.)

Following a conversation with David L. Mammina, R.A., superintendent of buildings for the Village of Manorhaven, we are advised to contact you directly in regards to a violation of the village code and permit by AG Towers, so that you may take the proper legal step to eliminate the violation.

Letter: The Red Stocking Revue

Thank you to everyone who participated in The Red Stocking Revue, including the businesses that support the production. I can’t imagine what a huge undertaking it must be to put the show together. It is always a wonderfully entertaining evening for such an important cause. This is yet another Port Washington event that makes me proud to live in this town. Again, great job, and kudos to all!

Rachel Fox

From the desk of Congressman Gary Ackerman: April 24, 2012

EPA Honors Residents For A More Beautiful Port Washington

U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Queens /L.I.) recently announced that Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington has been selected to receive a prestigious award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The organization was chosen after Ackerman nominated the group last month.

The organization, a local environmental group dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment of Port Washington and its surrounding areas, will receive the EPA Environmental Quality Award, an honor presented to those who have contributed significantly to improving the environment.

Letter: Parking Meters Should Be More Than One Hour

I would like to see a change in our parking meters. The meters are for only one hour on Main Street and other parking lots. If you want to do any shopping in town, you cannot leave your car for more than one hour.

I went for a perm the other day. The girl who was doing my hair had to go out three times to put in a quarter. The meters should be for three hours. This way, when you go shopping, you do not have to worry about getting a ticket.

Letter: Response To ‘Schimel Hails Inclusion Of Microstamping’

Regarding your recent article “Schimel Hails Inclusion Of Microstamping,” please consider the following facts.

CoBIS (Combined Ballistic Identification System) was designed to identify guns by creating and using a database of spent cartridges. After 10 years of operation, costing more than $44 million dollars, not a single crime was solved through its use. Hence, Governor Cuomo rightly abandoned this failed and wasteful program. A link to the details is http://www.ocshooters.com/Reports/cobis/cobis.htm.