Letters to the Rockville Centre Herald March 24, 2011

Don’t balance budget on seniors’ backs

To the Editor:

I have just taken a look at the proposed budget for the village for the upcoming year. There is quite a bit of belt-tightening and service cuts. To balance a new budget in today’s climate, sacrifices must be made.

As I look closely, however, I notice that the Sandel Senior center is making more than its share. Not only will the fees go up and classes be reduced, but there is also a proposed cut in staff. What does it say about a community when it is willing to cut services to the people who built it? These seniors are the people that 20, 30, 40 years ago came out and voted for school and village budgets that made Rockville Centre such an admired village. This is the thank-you the seniors get for creating the village we all admire?

Seniors are a soft target for budget cuts because they speak softly and don’t hold much political power anymore, so the budget can be balanced on their backs. Other cultures care for their elders; some send them out on an ice floe. Where do we stand?

I find it hard to believe that the residents of Rockville Centre aren’t willing to come up with less than a dollar a week to preserve a superior senior service. It would be wise to remember that when we take care of the least of us, we improve the lot for all of us.

Frank Gordon

Rockville Centre

Cuts jeopardize the Sandel Center

To the Editor:

I have been a member of the Sandel Senior Center for many years and would like Herald readers and village administrators to know the impact the proposed 50 percent cut in programming will have on our members.

Our residents and the village need to know that our members volunteer for many village events and services that otherwise would have to be provided at village expense. It has been my volunteer experience as an office aide to the professional staff to observe how carefully they administer our programs, always considering the efficacy and cost/reward ratio in their decisions.

I know that Mayor Mary Bossart and our village trustees are extremely capable and will deliberate carefully to achieve their budgetary goals and avoid these proposed cuts to Sandel’s programs, because the future well-being of our center and its ability to serve baby boomers in their senior years must not be jeopardized by decisions made today.

Beverly Slott

Rockville Centre

Keep politics out of the parade

To the Editor:

I am an Irish American, born and raised in Rockville Centre. For many years I have enjoyed watching our St. Patrick’s parade. I have always taken great pleasure in watching various local organizations such as veterans’ groups, volunteer groups, youth groups and Irish clubs and bands as well as local businesses and elected officials marching in the celebration of Irish pride.

This year I was startled and confused by the presence of a group representing the Rockville Centre Tea Party, which marched at the end of the parade. Although they were not representing an official political party, their presence appeared to call attention to or promote a specific political point of view. My concern is that by allowing this group to march in the parade, the door is now open to further politicization of what should be a non-political event.

I am writing this letter with the hope that it will be taken into consideration in choosing participants for future parades in Rockville Centre.

Joan Kremen

Rockville Centre

Truth or dare

To the Editor:

I would like to thank you for putting my picture in the paper in connection with the shooting in George Martin on Feb 7. The case is pending, so I can’t comment on it, but there were four other arrests in the Crime Watch and not one other picture.

You neglected to state that I have been putting murderers, drug dealers and armed robbers in jail for the past 12 years, working out of the 75th Detective Squad in East New York, one of the areas in New York City with the most crime, where I doubt you have ever set foot — but that doesn’t sell papers. I also spent six years in the Queens Narcotics Division, fighting off the Columbian cartels to keep our children as safe as possible.

I doubt you will respond because I think you are a frustrated newspaper person who couldn’t make it in the big time and hide behind the First Amendment, saying the people have the right to know. If you believe that, publish something negative about yourself. I doubt you are perfect and I dare you to publish this in the Herald. After all, the people have a right to know.

Michael Oliver

Rockville Centre

Wants sup’t. salary cap — and more

To the Editor:

I was recently asked in a survey conducted by Sen. Dean Skelos if I think school superintendents’ salaries should be capped. My immediate answer was “yes.”

Specifically, how much longer are we going to sit by and keep upping Rockville Centre School Superintendent Dr. William Johnson’s salary? We must cap these salaries. Dr. Johnson makes $300,000-plus per year, and we pay his car insurance and a whole lot more. His pension alone will be in the realm of $250,000 a year!

He claims he deserves this because, based on student test scores, he is getting results. Dr. Johnson is not the one to thank for that. Thank the parents and the teachers. I doubt he would have such good scores if he were running Hempstead’s schools. He and his arrogance and his bloated salary need to go! We don’t need a rock star with a Hollywood contract!

Ted D. Gluckman

Rockville Centre

Thanks from the Giallombardos

To the Editor:

The Giallombardo family would like to extend their warmest thanks to the village and all store owners, including Cannon’s Blackthorn, who donated to the Life for Gina fundraiser.

The fundraiser was a huge success thanks to the outpouring of love and support from all who attended and participated. Family and friends, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for always being there.

Sal Giallombardo

Rockville Centre