Long Beach letters

Police officers should give back

To the Editor:

This year is going to be an expensive one for Long Beach taxpayers as they face a substantial increase in real estate taxes, in large part to pay for salary increases, retroactive pay and very costly benefits in a new police contract.

While working women and men are contending with lower wages, lost vacation days and longer hours without overtime pay, and as senior citizens’ Social Security payments are frozen, our police officers will most likely be granted a salary increase for every year in their new contract unless the city administration stands firm. While residents face increased costs for medical insurance, or the loss of their health insurance entirely, our police officers don’t contribute anything for medical insurance and are even reimbursed for co-pays. Many Long Beach taxpayers have lost their jobs, and some will exhaust their unemployment checks soon. But our police officers have been immune to such concerns. No matter how bad the economy, salaries and benefits for Long Beach police officers always seem to get better.

Our police are well paid, especially compared to their peers in New York City. Long Beach should not go ahead with spending $24,000 on outside lawyers to negotiate a new police contract, but do its own negotiating. The city must look after the taxpayers and push for major savings in the next contract: no salary increases for at least the first two years, partial payment for health insurance and reduction or elimination of some overly generous benefits.

Joseph P. Marron

Long Beach

Fagen is for Fagen

To the Editor:

At the Feb. 18 West End Neighbors Civic Assocation meeting, City Manager Charles Theofan gave an update on various ongoing projects throughout the city, including beach access rehabilitation at Illinois Avenue. There have been some delays, but the city and the DEC have been working together to resolve this issue to bring the dunes into compliance.

Although in the past these projects have fell on deaf ears, this government has been acting on the people’s behalf to bring them to fruition. Then comes City Council member Mike Fagen to inject his “findings” to the issue.

Whether he comes as a concerned neighbor or a city official, Mr. Fagen should be reminded that any appearances or comments he makes at a public venue should be factual and accurate. When asked, Mr. Fagen refused to provide sources at the DEC with regard to this topic. I would ask, at what level does Mr. Fagen’s source have to speak with the authority of the DEC? It’s shameful that residents attend these meetings to be informed on various issues, only to have their meeting hijacked by Mr. Fagen, who has his own personal agenda.

It’s completely disingenuous for a council member to come to a public meeting with his sole intention being to undermine the city manger’s presentation, which he failed to do. Mr. Fagen was elected by the people of Long Beach to represent the council honorably, but his actions have been less than honorable. Mr. Fagen stated in his inaugural speech, “Today is not about me.” I would remind him that no day is about him, but about the residents of Long Beach.

If he continues his backdoor politics, it won’t be long before his constituents realize they made the wrong choice. This government should speak with one voice. Mr. Fagen would be better served to keep his rhetoric and innuendoes for the City Council meetings.

James Lynch

Long Beach

Clear your roofs!

To the Editor:

I have a pet peeve. Driving is a privilege, not a right. Manufacturers have come such a long way when it comes to safety. So why can’t drivers do something as simple as removing the snow from the windows and tops of their cars in bad weather? It is not safe for anyone on the road when a driver only removes the snow on the driver side windshield and driver rear window. Snow should be removed from all windows and the roof. It’s the responsibility you accepted when you got your driver’s license.

Valerie J. Cammiso

Long Beach