Rockville Centre Letters to the Editor April 29, 2010

Treat them with respect

To the Editor:

Last week I went to the Rockville Centre school board meeting and I was appalled at the resident who attacked the trustees, saying that the board did not have the children’s best interests at heart.

This resident was referring to the disagreement between the village and the school district and the children’s Summer Recreation program. Let’s face it; the disagreement was all about Fireman’s Field, parking, garbage and ultimately, the cooperative agreement that had lapsed. It was incumbent upon both parties to come to an agreement and they did.

Our community benefits from the cooperation of the school district and the village government. The children would have had a Rec program this summer. Until the cooperative agreement was reached, it was not clear which party would administer it.

I would like to commend the folks who serve on the school board as well as the folks who serve on the village board. While we might not agree on every issue, no one can take away the fact that all of our trustees work tirelessly on behalf of the community at large.

They deserve the respect of the public for their efforts and they deserve to be addressed with that respect.

Barbara Schoen

Rockville Centre

Help get dangerous drugs out of reach

To the Editor:

I would like to praise the Rockville Centre Herald for its ongoing series of stories raising awareness about the rise of drug use in our communities. The series has reported that there is a direct correlation between abusing such drugs as oxycontin, vicodin, percocet and an eventual slide into heroin use.

At a recent Phoenix House workshop we heard that the one thread in the speakers' eventual use of heroin started with those opiate-based drugs. The three young men who spoke at that event last year to the Rockville Centre crowd looked no different than any of the young citizens we have in our own community. Although not having first hand knowledge, I would venture to say that many in Rockville Centre are also victims of opiate-based drug abuse.

Nassau Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey reported at a recent event, "Too Good for Drugs," that heroin arrests are on the rise throughout the county. That being said, I'm writing to promote the upcoming activity sponsored by the RVC Youth Council: Operation Medicine Cabinet. It is an afternoon — May 1 from 1 to 5 p.m. — that is open for residents to drop off drugs at the Rockville Centre Police Department headquarters, 34 Maple Ave., with no questions asked. I ask all residents to clean out all unused and expired prescription drugs from their medicine cabinets, insuring that these prescriptions are out of the reach of experimenting young minds.

Thank you and keep up the good work.

Michael Caffrey

Rockville Centre Youth Council , Inc.

Contribute to the one-day food drive

To the Editor:

We are writing to ask Rockville Centre residents to again help the needy by participating in a nationwide food drive sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers in conjunction with the United States Postal Service, Island Harvest, Long Island Cares Regional Food Bank, the United Way and the Long Island Federation of Labor.

We're asking residents to leave at least one non-perishable food item next to their mailbox on Saturday, May 8, to help make this drive a success and help feed the needy in this area. It may mean a heavier satchel and maybe a few sore muscles for us, but the burden will be eased by knowing that our efforts will help feed families in need.

This one-day food drive is part of a nationwide drive designed to fill food-bank pantries through the summer months, when levels are traditionally low. Letter carriers from all 50 states and hundreds of cities will take part.

This is the 18th year Rockville Centre's letter carriers have participated and the 17th year the food drive has been nationwide. Last year, Long Island letter carriers collected over one million pounds of food — and Rockville Centre residents contributed 9,000 of those pounds.

The U.S. Postal Service touches the lives of all residents of Rockville Centre. We are pleased that our postal facilities and operation can act as a conduit for our customers in the community.

Richard Catapano Sr.

Food Drive Coordinator

Frank Monteleone

Rockville Centre Officer in

Charge/Postmaster

In giving we truly receive

To the Editor:

I hope most of your readers are familiar with the Furniture Exchange Program. For those who are not, for the past 10 years, we have been providing furniture that is used but in good condition to people in need, thanks to the generosity of the Rockville Centre community. I have recently had the honor of connecting with some outstanding people who are also dedicated to helping others in need. I'm reaching out to your readers in response to their requests.

Volunteers from the Rockville Centre chapter of St. Vincent DePaul are dedicated to improving the lives of village residents in need. Since they are required to “purchase” their furniture from their main store, the Furniture Exchange works with them to obtain this furniture free so their resources can be used toward other important work (food vouchers, for example). They have given us a list of furniture items they need that include living room, kitchen tables and chairs, dressers and a recliner.

The village administration, the director of the MLK Center, and some community members have come together to enhance the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center. Their goal is to create a “reach for the stars” haven for people of the community to grow and strive to be successful. They are currently developing some exciting workshops to add to what the center offers.

One of these programs is a photography workshop, so they have asked for used digital cameras. Another request is for computers so the children who don’t have one in their home can have access to one at the MLK Center. The center can also use a book case.

Liz O’Shaunessy, another Rockville Centre volunteer, is also committed to providing aid — in her case to the day laborers of Freeport. She has purchased her own trailer where these men are now able to commune each day. She provides hot food and counsel to those who seek assistance. She has requested men's clothing, food — beans, rices canned meats, vegetables, coffee and sugar — as well as monetary donations to help her cause.

I am very aware of how fiscally tough it is out there for everyone. The way I look at it is, if it’s tough for me, how much worse is it for someone who relies upon the generosity of others just to survive? It is in giving that we truly receive.

If you have any questions, I can be reached at steinwaydenise@yahoo.com or (917) 304-2063.

Denise Festa

Rockville Centre