Letters to the Editor

Hire from within

To the Editor:

It is with a heavy heart that I write this in tribute to the greatest hero we have ever had in police service, dedicated to our public safety and quality of life, Commissioner John P. McKeon, who is prematurely retiring next month.

Jack joined our police department nearly 40 years ago, and from the beginning he was recognized as a highly motivated and dedicated officer. His fellow cops could always count on him to cover their backs by promptly responding to the most dangerous assignments and being the first unit to arrive at the scene.

By now some astute residents and business owners have realized that there is a significant shortage of sworn personnel in our police department. We currently have 50, which is the level at which we were operating 30 years ago, and after the retirements going into effect in December, there will only be 45. This is an unconscionable state of affairs, and severely jeopardizes the safety of our police officers, residents and business owners.

The mayor had better stop advertising for Commissioner McKeon's replacement in The New York Times classifieds. People are responding from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Wyoming. These people don't know the first thing about commanding the Rockville Centre Police Department, and they are looking for a cushy job, that will supplement their retirement pensions.

No matter where the future may take Jack McKeon, he will always remain a dear and loyal friend, a loving and devoted husband, a nurturing and protective father, an adoring grandfather, and a cop who taught other cops how to be brave, honest, courteous, sincere, unprejudiced and abundantly fair. Entrusted to wear that glorious badge, they have the code of honor in their hearts and souls, and always do their duty to the best of their ability. That is his legacy.

His successor must be a current sworn member of the village P.D., and Commissioner McKeon must have the responsibility to decide who he will be, without political review.

Richard A. Rosenberg

Rockville Centre

A back-room deal?

The following letter was sent to Mayor Mary Bossart.