Letters to the Editor: Nov. 24, 2011
RIVERHEAD
Get with the program
With respect to Sandra Lee Mott’s letter (“Why Poland for K-9?” Nov. 10) complaining about the police department’s new K-9, an activist for an animal organization should be better informed. A general K-9 position cannot be filled by a pointer, pomeranian, or shih tzu. These dogs are highly bred and trained service animals. They have a great responsibility and are a great liability to the municipality, but one that is well worth the risk. Europe has bred some the of finest K-9 dogs for law enforcement for centuries. Yes, centuries. They do a job that your shelter mutt just cannot do.
As for where the K-9 is housed, there is a close bond that is intentionally bred into and trained into the dog, a bond between dog and handler. In an emergency situation his bond may save the officer’s life or dog’s life and it can only be obtained when the dog becomes part of the officer’s family or pack. Only a single-minded “activist,” aka crackpot, could weave a connection between a K-9 dog and the Riverhead shelter. What’s next, that the Occupy Wall Street mob is somehow connected to the shelter too? Besides, who better to work in Polish Town than a Polish dog.
Rich Park
JAMESPORT
Why indemnify?
I now read where the taxpayers of Riverhead are on the hook to cover the expenses of an attorney for the chief of police in an eight-year-old civil suit filed because it was deemed there weren’t enough police in the entire East End to cover a rock concert, and therefore the concert was canceled.
So now I have to wonder, if a town official is sued by one of their children for not giving them their allowance, or sued because one of their children were sent to bed without their dinner, will the taxpayer be required to pay for any and all attorney fees in these cases as well?
With anyone being able to sue anyone for anything, and a lawyer always ready and willing to file at the drop of a hat, lawsuits such as these will surely be filed in the not-too-distant future, and with the taxpayers footing the bill.
Thomas W. Smith
RIVERHEAD
Moving forward
I am humbled by the support of the voters to serve again as your town supervisor.
It was a long campaign season and I want to thank those of you who gave me such a warm reception when we spoke at community events, shopping centers, downtown, around town and in your homes. I will never forget your kind words on the campaign trail.
My thanks to all of you, the people who keep this town “Positively Riverhead”.
With your support we will continue to move Riverhead forward.
Sean Walter
Riverhead supervisor
EAST MARION
Like the way it was
I have a suggestion that if implemented will reduce many of the major problems facing our nation.
My idea will not only address the Wall Street protesters’ demands for jobs, but it will also reduce illegal drug imports, the illegal immigration problem and it will offer free medical coverage and benefits for all participants.
It is not a new idea, but when it was in effect, our youth and country were far better off. The U.S. should reinstitute the Selective Service draft.
Yes, draft all kids right out of high school, male and female, and assign them to our Homeland Security forces.
Once they finish boot camp they would be an integral part of our Homeland Security system.
They would be used to guard our borders and all other points of entry. They would also be used to register all illegal immigrants, and those who refuse to register would be escorted to the border from where they entered.
This new Homeland Security force would also empty our prisons of any illegal immigrants and escort them out of this country.
Think of the hundreds of billions of dollars that would be saved, and how many millions of new taxpayers that would be created.
Welfare and entitlements would also be reduced.
Our youth would have employment right out of high school, and while serving would learn responsibility that would serve them well throughout their lives.
The armed services will not put up with drug use, so that problem would be drastically reduced.
Also the inductees will, upon discharge, have a direction and self independence and an increased sense of patriotism and appreciation for this country that would have otherwise taken them years to learn, if ever. Plus educational benefits under a new GI bill.
For those that read this with disdain, allow me to remind you that the Selective Service draft was used to effectively protect this nation for many years.
I cannot think of a time when this country needed protection more than now. Can you?
God bless America.
John Copertino
SOUTHAMPTON
We can hope
I wish a Wall Street demonstration for dogs would happen in Riverhead for the animals’ sakes because I hate to see them suffer, and they are suffering. But no one seems to care except for a handful of people who are not allowed to help because of their strong personalities and animal advocacy. Animal control officer Sean McCabe cared and thought he was returning to the shelter, but he was told he’s staying in the sewer department. Nothing personal. Really?
I went to Bide-a-Wee Saturday in Westhampton. There were at least 15 volunteers walking dogs. Dogs were being trained by a full-time trainer, Michael Rieb, and people he is training. It is a happy, clean, beautiful place and you feel good after you visit because the atmosphere is so pleasant. Good things are happening there. Their adoption rate, both here and in the city, is high. They take pit bulls and don’t discriminate. They are nonprofit and are supported by donations.
Will the privatized group Riverhead’s town fathers have chosen do the same job? All I can do is hope. And hope they remember that the dogs people will tell them are beyond redemption, aren’t.
Pat Lynch
MATTITUCK
Are you fed up, too?
If you are as fed up with the helicopter noise as I am, please consider joining the “Quiet Skies Coalition.”
Many East Hampton residents are also fed up with the noise and emissions from the helicopters. What effects are all these emissions having on our groundwater and bays?
I don’t have soot on my patio furniture, as does one East Hampton woman, but this is certainly a wake-up call. I’m confident that she didn’t anticipate the helicopter air traffic to explode like it has in recent years.
I also don’t have pictures falling off my walls, but I certainly didn’t think when purchasing my home over 11 years ago that I would be in the flight path from air traffic heading to and from the East Hampton airport.
If I was to attempt to sell my home, I could only show it on a Tuesday or a Wednesday because the helicopter noise is atrocious for the balance of the week. What will happen to our real estate values? My guess is that any buyer would quickly turn away as soon as they were to see the air traffic.
If residents from both forks were to work together, we just might be able to make some changes to benefit us all.
Please visit quietskiescoalition.org.
Teresa McCaskie
