Letters To The Editor

Letters from readers are invited and should be sent by regular mail to Times Newsweekly, P.O. Box 860299, Ridgewood, N.Y. 11386- 0299 or by e-mail to info@timesnewsweekly. com. All letters must be accompanied by the writer’s full name and address, which will be withheld upon request. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. All letters are subject to editing. The opinions expressed in each letter are not necessarily those of the Times Newsweekly.

Happy to see water bottle deposit

Dear Editor:

Yesterday, I saw my first water bottle with a New York deposit. It was a sweet moment after years of advocating for the nickel deposit on non-carbonated beverages. We didn’t get the whole enchilada (i.e. the deposit on iced tea, juice and sports drinks), but we got the most popular drink—water.

The ubiquitous Poland Spring bottle in the gutter or on the beach will become a thing of the past. The bottle has value now and someone, either the buyer or the gleaner, will redeem that bottle.
Barbara Toborg
American Littoral Society
Broad Channel

A call to get things done

Dear Editor:

Now that the elections are over, and economic woes grow worse, let’s handle the truth, and deal with the grim reality we face in New York City. Our communities are facing unprecedented challenges:

• Unemployment in the city is the highest it’s been since 1993—10.3 percent.

• Water rates have risen 98 percent.

• Property taxes have increased by 40 percent.

• MTA fares have increased, and services reduced or cut, while public transportation remains a major issue.

• We desperately need affordable housing to stem the exodus from our state.

• Homelessness in the City has risen over nine percent since 2005 to a new high record number—over 12,000 people.

• We have 15,000 children sleeping in our city’s shelters every night, while more and more seniors are suffering.

• Our veterans are not getting the help they have earned.

• Our hospitals are being closed, while health care insurance is sky rocketing.

• Rent increases are squeezing the working class out of our neighborhoods.

• Foreclosures are destroying our communities.

• Parents have been denied a voice in our children’s educationthey are being taught to take tests, while arts, music, physical education, class trips, civics are unwisely being overlooked in favor of more test preparation.

• Our neighborhood parks are in a state of disrepair.

• Working families are leaving the city because they can no longer afford to live here.

• While working families struggle to make ends meet, the city’s top managerial employees roll in $69 million in salary increases.

• Our schools are unbearably overcrowded, while school aides are being laid off.

• Our environment is not getting the attention it deserves, as green jobsand sustainability are not being adequately addressed.

• Overdevelopment is ruining our neighborhoods and overwhelming our communities with hideous, out of character monstrosities.

• Air and noise pollution, polluted land and traffic congestion cry out for reform.

The list goes on and on.

Our elected officials must step up to the plate to face and solve these daunting challenges, in synergy. After all, there is no Republican, Democratic, Conservative or Independent way to pick up the garbage, or to serve your constituents. It is time to put aside party labels, and do the work of the people.
Albert Baldeo
President
United Community Alliance