Kopel, or rep, could have been at meeting

To the Editor:

LIPA has said it is going to court to challenge the assessment on the Barrett power plant. If LIPA wins, the homeowners of Island Park, Barnum Isle and Harbor Isle will have to absorb nearly $4 million in additional school taxes each year. On Feb. 8, during an Island Park Civic Association meeting, Legislator Howard Kopel expressed his view that a local community should not expect its burdens to be spread among the residents of Nassau County, which is the same argument that LIPA has made.   

Additionally, on Friday, Feb. 18, School Superintendent Dr. Rosmarie Bovino, Legislator Denise Ford, Mayor Jim Ruzicka, and a representative from Senator Dean Skelos’s office all met with LIPA executives to express the concerns of the community. This meeting had been previously promoted by community leaders and elected officials as an important opportunity to make our case directly to LIPA. This meeting started at 3 p.m. 

Last week, Island Park Fire Chief Edward Madden sent a letter to the Herald (“Kopel works hard for Island Park,” March 17-23) criticizing me for calling attention to Legislator Kopel’s failure to attend this meeting. Legislator Kopel is an Orthodox Jew, and according to Chief Madden, he could not attend this meeting because it took place on a Friday. However, the Sabbath does not start until sundown Friday, which was after 5 p.m. on Feb. 18.  Furthermore, I have since been told that Legislator Kopel did not ask to change the meeting date or its start time. 

It is unfortunate when members of our community resort to name calling and personal attacks. Everyone who knows me knows that I am not a bigot. Chief Madden, and those who may have urged him to write a letter personally attacking me, are the ones who should be embarrassed. However, what is most important is that all our elected representatives stand with the taxpayers of Island Park and support our efforts to convince LIPA not to take this action.  

Richard Schurin

Island Park