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Letters to the editor must be submitted via email and
must include
the author’s name, address, and daytime phone number
so that
Bellport.com can confirm the source of the submission. Letters can be up
to 500 words in length and should be in good taste, not libelous, and
not "Fake News."
We expect our readers and their letters to be civil to one another
and we expect them to remember that we are all friends and
neighbors and to conduct themselves accordingly.
If you'd like to submit a Letter to the
Editor, send your letter to
letters@bellport.com.
Letters are posted as soon as they are
received, not just once a week, so check back often!
The purpose of Bellport.com's Letters To The Editor section is to encourage the free exchange of ideas and experiences in our community. However, the decision as to which letters to publish is solely at the discretion of the Editor. While Bellport.com and its staff try to make every effort to see that no libelous statements, inaccurate or misleading opinions or statements, or "Fake News" appears on Bellport.com we wish to make it clear that the opinions expressed in the letters, articles, correspondence, etc. herein are the responsibility of the contributor and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Bellport.com and its staff. Accordingly, Bellport.com and its staff accept no liability whatsoever for the consequences of any such inaccurate or misleading opinions or statements.
In regards to elections (national, state, local), Bellport.com imposes a 48 hour “Blackout” period before Election Day. In other words, assuming Election Day is on a Tuesday, any letters from the candidates or members of the community that are received after 5:00pm on the Saturday prior to Election Day, will not be published by Bellport.com. We do this in order to prevent last minute claims being made and “Fake News” that don’t give sufficient time for which to respond.
May 17, 2020
Thank You
I am living in Arizona right now but lived in
the area for 60 years and always enjoyed walking, riding, driving to the
dock. I now have a daughter who lives in the area and is a tax payer. I so
appreciate you writing the truth, especially in the political arena we
live in these days where the truth is not respected.
Again, thank you for the “truth.”
Jean A Blakeslee
Lake Havasu, AZ
May 14, 2020
The USPS
So, now President Trump refers to the United
States Postal Service as, “a joke”, and refuses to use taxpayer money to
“bail it out.” He rails about how it should quadruple the postage paid by
companies like Amazon, which would ultimately hurt the Postal Service and
the American people it serves.
I don’t get it. I know that the Postal Service is not a governmental
department like Defense, Energy, Agriculture, or Homeland Security—all of
which operate with multi-billion-dollar budgets funded directly from
taxpayer dollars. The Postal Service is expected to be self-funded through
postage stamps! No one would expect the Department of the Interior to
quadruple charges to ranchers for grazing rights on federal lands or to
charge Broadway prices for looking at Yosemite or Old Faithful. Should the
Department of Energy sell spent nuclear waste to the highest bidders? Of
course not.
But the Postal Service provides a direct service to our country, just as
they do.
Postal workers are a fixture in every American city, town, and village.
The Post Office is an American institution. Zip codes define our country.
The Postal Service is one of the nation’s biggest employers of veterans
and disabled people. Now, during the Coronavirus pandemic, the Postal
Service becomes even more important to shut-in Americans. It is the
original “delivery at home” service.
I urge everyone to support the Postal Service and thank its men and women
who are on the front lines working to maintain some semblance of normalcy
during this difficult period.
Richard Weissmann
Bellport, NY
May 5, 2020
A Visit to Bellport Village, 5/4/20
Yesterday I was headed to Bayport Flowers
market, so drove through Bellport.
Just passing Gateway Theater is saw two older teenage girls walking with
no face masks.
By the time I got to the 4-corners, I passed 4 more young women – non
masked. I drove down Bellport Lane to Shore Drive, up the hill and onto
Academy Ln., onto So. Country, down So. Howells, across Otis, back to So.
Country past the golf course and out of Bellport. In total I passed 23
young people, 3 males (mid thirties} and 20 women (teens to late twenties
I guess) and absolutely NOT ONE Bellporter was wearing a mask. Have all
the fabulous Bellport Code cops passed on? Is the the Mayor aware of Gov.
Como’s Executive Order issued April 15, effective yet until he withdraws
it which requires all people in this state to wear a face mask when in
public. NOT ONE Bellporter in public yesterday that I passed wore a mask.
None.
Just on May 4th, Gov. Cuomo stated: If you do not wear a mask in public
QUOTE: “ . . .you could literally kill someone” and also: How selfish of
you to put other people near your at risk of death. The Gov. explained:
“You don’t wear a mast to protect yourself—you wear it to protect the next
person."
The Governor stated emphatically that “local police have the
responsibility to enforce it” >>the State Order to wear masks.
Furthermore, the Order gives local towns the optional additional right to
“enforce a sanction [fine] for being in public without a mask.” per Gov.
Cuomo.
Today's May 5 edition of the Times lead article states: the Trump
administration “is privately projecting a steady rise in coronavirus
infections and deaths over the next several weeks to 3,000 daily deaths on
June 1. . . . . The White House raised its fatality projections on Monday
to more than 134,000 American deaths from COVID-19 by early August.”
Also in Today’s Times page D7, in Jane Brody’s weekly Personal Health
article, she states how its not “fun . . .wondering whether the next
unmasked person who passes too close to me on the street or in a store
will transmit the deadly virus.”
There are now 24 people in Bellport with the virus. Statistically, some of
them will die.
The Mayor is hopeless I imagine. John C. Can you try to find the phantom-esk
Chief Cop Don and get the Village Enforcement employees to do what Gov.
Cuomo says they should be doing: If they see someone without a mask, stop
them and hand them a mask. [Last weekend there were 5,000 NYC police in
the many parks in all the City Boroughs handing out masks per Sirius
news.] Like in an airport: “If you see something, DO SOMETHING” Village
Hall’s nonchalant attitude about obeying the Executive Order is grounds
for termination and/or recall for serious breach of duty in this old man’s
opinion.
Will Struyk
Bellport, NY
April 27, 2020
Thanks For Helping To Get The Word Out About Our Food Drive
Thank you very much for advertising the food
drive sponsored by COMPASS Unity. It was a HUGE success. We filled two
trucks - one for Lighthouse Mission and one for Angels of Long Island.
Without your assistance in getting the word out, we would not have had a
successful event!
Lynette Murphy
COMPASS Unity Coordinator
April 22, 2020
Thank You
Thank you for your ongoing coverage. Like the
days after Superstorm Sandy, Bellport.com is the place to find useful
information.
Joanne Downs
Bellport, NY
April 18, 2020
Motorcycles
We live in a quieter world now, and I am close
enough to South Country Road to hear the ambulance sirens on a daily
basis. Not hearing them would be worse, as we know that they are rushing
people to hospitals and are performing a brave, vital, and great service.
I thank and respect them for their work.
But I hear motorcycles more often than I hear ambulances. On a regular
basis now, when the weather is decent, the air is awash with the thrusts
of loud and large motorcycles. If you want to ride, God bless. But it’s
clear that these motorcyclists are not adhering to the 25 mph speed limit
as they round the curve on South Country Road into the village.
I was in the Community Center when the Village Trustees voted that groups
of kids on bikes popping wheelies could be arrested, fined, or otherwise
deterred. I understand why. Those young people are endangering their own
lives and possibly the lives of others. Shouldn’t the same standard be
applied to the motorcyclists who are breaking the Village speed limit?
Jennifer Vorbach
Bellport Village
April 15, 2020
A Point of Clarification
The CVS candy donation was a welcome Easter
gift to add to the Grab and Go lunches that were dropped at the Patchogue
train station on the Saturday before the holiday. The lunches I prepared
included a ham and cheese sandwich, an apple, a drink and a protein bar.
This initiative happens daily, coordinated by soup kitchen volunteer Fran
Koszicsky.
Susan Kahl, President
The Patchogue Neighbors Soup Kitchens, Inc
Member Patchogue COAD
April 14, 2020
Photos for Corona Updates
Thanks again for your wonderful coverage of the
Corona Pandemic! It’s comforting to know we can get a daily summary of
what to do and what’s been happening from one single source. In an effort
to continue to lift spirits and raise hope, please consider changing the
photo (of the virus) on your daily posts.
For us personally, we are inundated with this horrific image throughout
the day that we could afford to see it one less time. Perhaps consider
asking your readers to submit photos of “hope.” No prize or competition
for this, just a community coming together to give each other a virtual
hug and optimism!
Thanks again for your consideration and for all you do!
Cheryl Felice & Lorraine Kuehn
Bellport, NY
April 13, 2020
CVS Candy Donation
Although it might appear to be charitable, it
is very unhealthy to give the CVS candy to the kids from underprivileged
families. These families already struggle with underlying medical problems
directly caused by sugar i.e. obesity and diabetes. Both conditions have
been linked to underlying conditions putting them at higher risk of
COVID-19. Lets not make it worse/more difficult at a critical time for
them to be striving to lead a healthier life. Just a thought.
Mary McAllister, LCSW-R
Brookhaven Hamlet, NY
April 12, 2020
A Letter To The Editor, From The Editor: Another Good Thing!
I got a note from Anthony Liendo, Store Manager
of the CVS Pharmacy in Bellport Village, saying he wanted to donate some
of CVS’s Easter candy and wanting to know if we could “point him in the
right direction” to find recipients for the candy. He said they “would
love to give back to the community."
I had some ideas, but I also knew two people in our community who were
sure to be able to help, Sue Kahl and Joann Neal. Sue helps out at many of
the food banks and soup kitchens in the area and is giving out lunches at
the Patchogue train station. Joann is very active with the Boys & Girls
Club as well as several other organizations. Lately, Joann has been giving
out lunches three days a week at the Boys & Girls Club so I knew she could
help too.
Well, that’s all it took. Sue and Joann both gave Anthony a call and the
next day they picked up four huge boxes of candy CVS was donating to the
community! Sue and Joann had no trouble finding places that would
appreciate the donation.
I’m writing this because although at times we see people ignoring the
quarantine and only thinking about themselves, at the same time, there are
also good people in our community looking out for all of us and only
wanting to do the right thing.
Larry Sribnick
Bellport, NY
April 10, 2020
The Golf Course Decision
Just as I sat down to write this letter
regarding the mayor’s use of the word “unfortunately” in describing the
governors wise decision on closing golf courses, I read the message from
Jennifer Vorbach which expresses my exact thoughts. Some golfer may think
it’s “unfortunate” that they can’t play golf for now, but I’m sure most
understand the importance of the governor’s action, and don’t see his
decision to be an unfortunate move.
At his newsconference today (10 April), the governor made perfectly clear
that he has NO problem with people walking the golf courses (he used the
word “hike,” and in response to reporters, referred to “hiking” without
carrying golf clubs!). So perhaps the village board will consider this, as
it would open this enjoyable walking option.
Norman Pearlmutter
Bellport, NY
April 10, 2020
Closing of the Bellport Golf Club
I applaud Mayor Fell’s compliance with Governor
Cuomo’s decision to close all Golf Courses.
Is there a contradiction in the Mayor’s decision to close all Board and
Work Sessions to the public out of concern for public safety, early on,
and yet wish to keep the Golf Course open until just now?
My attention was caught by the use of the word « unfortunately, » which is
how Mayor Fell characterized the Governor’s decision. To my mind what
would be truly unfortunate is if the golfers in our Village and nearby
communities contracted C-19 on the course.
I am sorry that instead of providing us with the opportunity to walk the
parkland, proper distancing in effect, the villagers have been proscribed
from enjoying our our own lovely and wide parkland.
Jennifer Vorbach
Bellport, NY
April 8, 2020
Thanks
Thank you for your constant updates and
information. We so appreciate it...
The Fedge family
Bellport, NY
Editor's Note: This letter is in response to our recent Editorial.
April 4, 2020
Thank You Dr. McGuinness
Tonight, Bellport neighbors went to thank Dr.
Julia McGuinness, daughter of Dr. Brian and Louise McGuinness (of
Bellport). Julia is an attending physician at NY-Presbyterian in
Manhattan, who is treating Covid-19 patients and we wanted to honor her
bravery. Click
here for the video.
Robert Judem-Cautin
Bellport, NY
Editor's Note: We received the following letter from Dr. Berman and his wife Chantal. It brings home the fact that COVID-19 isn’t something way off in the distance, it’s right here in our community. Please read Dr. Berman’s letter and contribute if you can.
April 4, 2020
Donations for LI Community Hospital
Dear Friends,
The LI Community Hospital is facing an unprecedented emergency, as we all
are, with COVID-19. The Bellport-Brookhaven area is as busy as I have ever
seen it. All of us are hunkered down, both locals and our friends from the
City.
We have over 60 very sick COVID-19 patients with more than 40 on
ventilators. Our Drs, Nurses and Hospital Staff are heroically battling
this problem. We need to help and protect them.
We constantly need to purchase PPE equipment and scarce medicines and
equipment. This takes money, and lots of it.
Please, let’s all join together, NYers and locals alike, and help our
Hospital save lives.
Please follow this link,
https://licommunityhospital.org/giving-to-long-island-community-hospital/,
and donate generously.
Please also pass this email on to your friends.
Thanking you in advance.
Sincerely,
Richard and Chantal Berman
Bellport Village
April 3, 2020
Thank You
I hope this finds you both well.
Thank you so much for your diligent and vital work, and for keeping us
up-to-date.
Fond regards,
Jennifer Vorbach
Bellport, NY
Editor's Note: This letter is in response to our recent Editorial.
April 2, 2020
Re: Recent Editorial
I would like to begin by thanking you Larry for
providing a forum for me to share some thoughts with you. Your advocacy
and reporting is a terrific example of the importance of a committed and
free press.
With a global pandemic capturing our every waking moment it is reasonable
to understand how people can get consumed in events that threaten our
lives. Television is filled with public officials from Washington
generating incredible blather. There will be time for us to review their
performance. This is not my purpose today. Remembering their day of
reckoning will come.
I chose to focus on people in our community whose every action expresses
values, character and mission. We should focus on Doctors, nurses and
administrative support people who put their own well being ahead of the
people they are serving, in many cases without the benefit of appropriate
equipment. Included in my prayers of thanks are those emergency
technicians, police and firefighters and civil servants who are there
every day for us. Their efforts on our behalf express values that I
respect so deeply.
One more word. Next time you are in a store grabbing goods required for
your family. Let’s acknowledge with a smile or a wave of appreciation to
people who fill the shelves. They to are an integral part of our life and
as such we owe them our respect as well.
May God Bless our families and friends...
Stuart Levine
Bellport, NY
April 1, 2020
Thank You for Bellport.com's Daily Update on the Coronavirus
Just wanted to thank you personally for the
daily updates on the "Coronaviras Page" that you provide. You provide so
much good and direct information. What I especially like is that I can
scroll down to review previous day's posting and get myself up to speed.
Thanks so much Larry!!
Kudos to you and Bellport.com
Best Regards and Stay Safe
John Hannon
Bellport, NY
April 1, 2020
Memories of Bellport in Tough Times
I just read the letter from Phyllis Hartmann
about her great experience with Cirillo’s. I am happy to see that Bellport
is as loving and caring as ever.
Back in the early 60s, when I was in eighth grade, my mother had a serious
accident that left her with two broken legs. After she came home from the
hospital, she lived in our living room. She was home alone all day and at
first she couldn’t figure out how to be able to get groceries for our
family. In those days, we used Wallen’s. And she knew Mike Wallen well.
What they figured out together was for her to call her order in, they
would shop for her, and then they called a taxi (the one familiar to us
but can’t recall the name now) and the driver would pick up the groceries
and deliver them to our house, even putting away the ones requiring
refrigeration. Because of Mike Wallen and the taxi, she was able to help,
very important to her.
I’m glad to hear that Cirillo’s is being so accommodating during this
tough time. Bellport will always be my home.
Stay well blessings to all of you!
Martha Scott Phipps
Alvin, Texas
April 1, 2020
Great Job
Thanks for all the Community news. The
information you are providing is very helpful! Thank you.
Rosemarie Mccarthy
Harmony Café
April 1, 2020
Thank You
What a fabulous job you are doing of keeping us
all informed on this CV19 nightmare, and most of all how you stepped up so
quickly to help get the word out about the local businesses and their
needs. 'IT TAKES A VILLAGE" forever grateful.
Pamela Lerner
Bellport, NY
Editor's Note: This letter is in response to our recent Editorial.
March 31, 2020
Positive Event
I have a story.....I live in East Patchogue and
it was my daughter's 14th birthday yesterday. She was sad because her
friends and family couldn't be here to celebrate with us on this joyous
occasion. Her dad and I tried our best to decorate the house to surprise
her when she woke. She liked it. Two of her friends surprised her by
dropping off a present for her outside our front door. She was so happy.
Then my sister in law and her family drove by and sang "Happy birthday" to
her from their car. She felt special. After eating her dinner and cake of
choice, when it was bedtime, her dad and I asked her if she enjoyed her
birthday and she said "yes" and smiled. Our hearts were full and I was
appreciative for those who went the extra mile for our daughter. So this
is our story about creativity at its best for the people you care about
during this hard time we are all facing today. I hope I put a smile on all
of your faces and you all felt the joy that our family felt that day of
our daughters 14th birthday.
I hope you like our story Larry. Thanks.
Holly Negron
East Patchogue, NY
Editor's Note: This letter is in response to our recent Editorial.
March 31, 2020
Look for the Helpers
I wanted to mention a beautiful person who is
doing her part and reaching out to help those in need. Her name is Debbie
Henriksen and she is a Teacher Assistant at Kreamer Street School. She has
just delivered 50 homemade medical masks to the Long Island Community
Hospital! Not only that, she’s getting ready to make 50 more to fill their
needs.
Debbie is an incredible human being, selflessly reaching out to answer the
call and providing masks to our medical community!!
Kariann Marziliano
Bellport, NY
Editor's Note:
The Village Board Fiddles While The World Burns?
I read this on the Village’s website
a few days ago and I thought, “Na, they can’t be serious. They’ll be
sure to take it down.” Well, today is Monday, March 30th, it’s still up,
and we received the following Letter To The Editor today. If Village Hall
is serious about this, “Are you kidding???” If the Village Board just
hasn’t gotten around to taking it down, it’s time to.
March 30, 2020
Let Them Golf?
I just learned this morning, that as of April
1st our Golf Club is being opened. How can something as irresponsible as
opening the golf course occur while there are hundreds of people dying in
our state? Who would allow or encourage an opening, which could further
spread the virus further into our community? Our local government should
be ashamed of this unwise choice of allowing our residents’ health be
jeopardized for the entertainment of a few fools. Wake up!
Russell J. Nardozza
Bellport, NY
March 24, 2020
Thanks to Cirillo’s
When I read about Cirillo’s new service on
Bellport.com, I thought it was too good to be true. Their new service is
for seniors who are not able to leave the house to do their food shopping.
When I called the store, I was delighted to learn how it operates. You
call them with your grocery list and you speak to real person, in my case,
it was Marina. She was very polite and knowledgeable about what was in
stock or when it would be available. She also said that if they didn’t
have something that I had ordered, she would call me back with other
options. Finally, when the order was ready for pick up, she would call me,
and I should call the store back when I arrived.
In fact, this is exactly what happened. The service was as advertised and
very prompt and courteous.
This service will be invaluable to those of us in that “age range” who
don’t have someone to do their shopping for them. Most importantly, it
keeps us seniors and the whole community healthy and provides peace of
mind, too.
Thank you to Cirillo’s for making this wonderful service available. I will
be a loyal customer long after this pandemic is over.
Phyllis Hartmann
Bellport, NY
Editor's Note: This letter is in response to a letter received below about our recent Op-Ed.
March 23, 2020
In Response to Bonny Clark
Please inform me as to what facts I have
incorrect. Could it be the bid results? My information comes from a FOIL
response from the Village. Could it be the completion date? That was in
the bid documents supplied by the Village. Could it be the work to be
accomplished in the contract? Again, from the supplied bid documents.
Roger Baker
Patchogue, NY
Editor's Note: This letter is in response to our recent Op-Ed.
March 16, 2020
Roger Baker Letter
I wish you had fact-checked Roger Baker's
letter before you printed it.
Hope you are well.
Bonny Clark
Bellport Village
Editor's Note: This letter is in response to our recent Seen & Heard Article about the BBHS's Black History Month Program.
March 1, 2020
BBHS Black History Month Program
Thanks for the pictures and news on the
February 25 issue. It was great to be able to listen to Dr. Grier Key's
presentation for those who were not able to attend.
Nancy Marr
East Patchogue