LETTERS

Letters to the Editor: East Rockaway, Lynbrook

Jan. 14-20, 2016

Posted

Thank you for the honor

To the Editor:
It was an honor to be chosen as the Herald’s Person of the Year for 2015. It’s a great feeling to be recognized, but at the same time, it made me feel a little uncomfortable.  The outpouring of congratulations and good wishes from those in person and on social media has been extraordinary.  Thank you!

I’m proud to have represented East Rockaway through our community programs of good- will throughout the years. The success of all that we do here in East Rockaway and Lynbrook is because of all the wonderful, caring and charitable people and organizations that make up the fabric of this great community. The support of our South Carolina’s Pay it Forward program was especially inspirational because of the empathy involved ­—every donation had a story behind it on both sides.

Sometimes young people get a bad rap, but this recognition goes to show how the work of so many dedicated and compassionate kids make a difference in the world by how they pay it forward to help others.

East Rockaway is the epitome of the adage “It takes a village.” There are so many people who do so many acts of kindness for their community and its children, and without them this would be just another place in America. We’ve gone through so much, especially since Superstorm Sandy, and the resilience to rebuild, along with the residents’ altruism, is nothing short of amazing. 
I’m very blessed to live, work, teach and worship here. I thank everyone in making this community a very special place for me and my family.

Don Poland
East Rockaway

A bad bet on Elmont?

To the Editor:
I have lived in Elmont for over 50 years and have children who attend the public schools here. I have seen this area fight back to become a neighborhood where residents take great pride in their families, homes and schools. We deserve better than to be saddled with an increase in traffic and crime (“OTB betting on VLTs at Belmont Park” Jan. 7-13). Proposals for redevelopment have been filled with ideas on how to bring a renewed prosperity to the area rather than be the dumping ground for an activity that no other area on Long Island wants.
The idea that gambling is gambling is an insult to everyone. On a race day at Belmont, you can watch families enjoying “Breakfast at Belmont” and later enjoying the outdoor play areas for kids while taking in the races. I can’t imagine a racino providing such an atmosphere. Instead of Nassau County pretending that this is the way to raise revenue, perhaps the powers that be should stop acting as if Elmont is a throw away town and recognize the true value in real, thoughtful, area enhancing, well planned redevelopment.

Lori Halop
Elmont