Letters to the Editor
WADING RIVER
Riverhead teachers helped us all
What a pleasant surprise to read in the Riverhead School District’s April 2010 bulletin on the proposed budget vote that our Riverhead teachers have agreed to limit their raises, decrease their step increases and also contribute to their medical benefits, which will save the district about $1.5 million over the next two years.
Thanks so much to the teachers for showing that you care about our students, our schools and the taxpayers. With your help we will get through the next few tough years much more comfortably. We thought it important to let others know of your contribution, and that this school district is fortunate to have you on our side.
We are very grateful.
Helga and Jack Guthy
calverton
New super needs a seasoned board
Congratulations to Nancy Carney on her appointment as Superintendent of Schools. As this change was precipitated by the abrupt departure of Diane Scricca, it would be prudent to support her efforts by retaining the Riverhead school board that appointed her. New blood on the board could be detrimental to a successful assignment.
Richard Tavano
RIVERHEAD
Safer than an intersection
The rebuilt Route 58 roundabout requires great care as we get acclimated to its traffic flow. It is unfortunate that there have already been accidents. However, I think that we need to compare it to the alternative of a traffic light. Traffic lights are simpler. However, when a driver goes through a red light (not that unusual on this road), the speed involved is much higher than in a traffic circle; tragedies can and do occur. Traffic lights cause significantly more delay than a roundabout during the many hours when traffic is light to moderate. This wastes time and increases fuel usage and pollution due to unnecessary idling. Drivers who find it challenging might try going through it during periods of light traffic, just to get used to it. Once you know where you have to be, it is easier to watch out for others.
Alan Daters
RIVERHEAD
Pleased with Rt. 58 — even the circle
I am very pleased with the entire Route 58 widening project. The construction has gone very well and within the time established. It was done with little disruption. It is turning out very well and appears to be helping the cause of which it was intended. I think it is important to point out, I for one and many I have spoken with, agree that the new circle is terrific. It does not take rocket science to navigate. Kudos to the Riverhead Town Board that decided to designate the circle an historic site so that it couldn’t be turned into just another ugly intersection. The circle is one of the things that gives areas away from downtown Riverhead some good character of its own. Although Town Board member Jodi Giglio may be bringing some new ideas and hopefully fresh approaches to our town politics (we need to see an improved downtown Riverhead, and hopefully soon), I disagree with her opinion about the new circle. As I do recall, accidents do happen at intersections as well. So again, a job well done to all involved in this project.
Dennis Ruffini
RIVERHEAD
Just take your time at the roundabout
With regard to our traffic circle, now known as the Route 58 Roundabout, I don’t understand why the drivers on Route 58 are having such a problem. The law as I understood it for 50-plus years was that the cars in the circle always had the right of way and this has not changed. People are so impatient to get where they evidently should have been at least an hour before that they don’t even bother to look and see if anyone is in the circle. I drive Roanoke Avenue everyday that I go to Riverhead and I have been cut off by drivers coming down Route 58, even before the restructure. Somehow, these drivers are going to have to be educated. The circle, or roundabout, is not the problem, it is the people ¬– just as it always has been.
I will continue to use the roundabout and hope that people get smarter. The flashing signs have been a great help as far as I can see. Another deterrent that always works is a police car in sight. I’m hoping for it all to improve and people to pay attention to the signs, which are very definitive. The paintings on the roads are good also, if you take the time to read and understand them.
Linda Gatz
WADING RIVER
Great Rock is a great neighbor
Kudos to Riverhead Supervisor Sean Walter for wanting to hold a public meeting regarding the proposed golf villas at the Great Rock golf course in Wading River. Such a meeting is just what’s needed so all views could be heard. It seems to be that supporters of the golf course do not make a habit of showing up at Town Hall meetings to voice their support of the golf course operation.
It is, unfortunately, the “squeaky wheel,” one person from the neighborhood who regularly speaks at Town Board meetings with complaints and subsequently gets most of the attention. For the record, the squeaky wheel does not speak for all, or even the majority, of residents.
If anyone from the newspaper had ventured into the neighborhood surrounding Great Rock, instead of speaking with the one resident who files most of the complaints against the golf course facility, they would have found the same results as the folks from Great Rock did when they went door to door with their petition ¬¬– overwhelming support. How else would they be able to gather over 100 signatures in such a short amount of time?
There has always been a disconnect between this one resident, who is portrayed as a “civic activist,” representing the views of the entire neighborhood and the majority of the people who have lived here since the restaurant/golf course was completed. This resident has lodged complaints with the course from the legitimate to the questionable to the ones that make you scratch your head and say, “huh?” A public meeting will show the supervisor and the Town Board exactly what we, the residents of the neighborhood surrounding Great Rock, have known to be true: that the golf course facility is a great neighbor and one that we don’t want to lose.
Linda O’Brien
WADING RIVER
Keep prayer out of Town Hall
The doctrine of separation of church and state as outlined in Article 6 of the Constitution seems to me to be more in jeopardy with every passing day.
From my perspective, prayer belongs in a church, mosque, synagogue, other houses of worship or at home, not in any governmental venue. This sentiment seems to reflect the feelings of resident Pat Fedun and Councilman Jodi Giglio.
Councilman Wooten might not see a downside to starting Town Board meetings with a prayer, but I do. I’m sure I am not alone in feeling that Article 6 clearly speaks to this issue. Our Founding Fathers understood the importance of maintaining distance between religion and governmental process.
I cast my vote as a clear no!
Mary Gardner
riverhead
Better late than never for Tea Party
In reply to the “Where’ve you been?” letter to the editor published in last week’s News-Review, I noticed that less-than-honorable motives are ascribed to the Tea Party activists. It probably bears repeating that the Tea Partiers are neither Republicans nor Democrats. I would submit that many folks were awakened more by the financial crisis than the 2008 election. The writer of the letter should have a certain satisfaction in knowing that his eyes were open before many of those in the Tea Party, but I think he should not hold it against them now that they, too, are awake! I’m not a member of the Tea Party, but my own wake-up call has me leaning toward those suggesting a clean sweep of Congress in the next couple of election cycles, to vote every incumbent out. The Capitol needs to be rebooted!
Thomas Pfalzer
RIVERHEAD
Such abortions unforgivable
A lawsuit is in progress against a New York hospital by a nurse for forcing her to assist in an abortion of a 22-week-old fetus. To kill a baby, 22 weeks — or 5 months, 2 weeks old — is unforgivable. We spend millions of dollars on hospital nurseries keeping 5-month-old babies alive for their parents. This child had fully formed legs, hands, head, organs, a fully formed human being. I pray forgiveness for being part of a society, city and state that can condone such abortions and killing.
Mary Jane Broderick
RIVERHEAD
GOP: Horton Avenue benefit thank-yous
I want to thank you for granting me this opportunity to extend a few messages of thanks to those individuals who assisted in our “Horton Avenue Relief Fund” fundraiser on Monday evening at Martha Clara Vineyards. About two weeks ago, Riverhead Republican Club President Charlie Funda and I thought it would be a great opportunity for those of us involved in the Riverhead political community to set aside our political differences and raise some money for the Horton Avenue Relief Fund, which was set up by the Rev. Charles Coverdale and his colleagues at the First Baptist Church of Riverhead, to assist those who were adversely affected by the flooding.
First, we at the Riverhead Republican Club would like to thank Martha Clara Vineyards for donating the use of its lovely facility on Sound Avenue. The great barbecue dinner provided by Maple Tree Deli, along with soft drinks from Wading River Beverage, left most completely full and satisfied by the conclusion of the evening.
Generous donations were provided by Dvirka and Bartilucci Consulting Engineers, Christopher Cox for Congress, Mary Ellen Harkin, Riverhead Collision and Brian Mills from The Mills Group Insurance and Investments.
Lastly, we would like to thank our emcee, Mr. John Galla from WRIV, for giving the event great exposure on the radio, Frank Seabrook from the Suffolk County Liberty Report for providing complimentary advertising space on his news website, as well as the Riverhead News-Review for mentioning the event in numerous articles regarding the situation on Horton Avenue.
All net proceeds are being sent to the Horton Avenue Relief Fund.
We at the Riverhead GOP continue to wish those affected on Horton Avenue all the best, and will continue to stand by to further assist this cause in any way possible.
Brian Mills
vice president, Riverhead Republican Club
