Letters to the Editor
AQUEBOGUE
Bring sex offenders into the light
I was encouraged to read that, at last, one individual, Kevin Zorn, took it upon himself to stand up and protect children who could be vulnerable to sex predators. (“Riverside man targets sex offender at area hotel,” Aug. 19.)
As a former child protective worker, this is the first time I’ve ever seen someone actually do what so many moms and dads, brothers and sisters wish they had done or could yet do to protect a loved one.
Pedophilia is a disease that thrives in the darkness of child lures, lies, deceptions, and the denial of caregiving adults. It is motivated by the love of power and humiliation, whether it’s two kids against one or an adult against a child. The pedophile inflicts pain on a child that, if not treated, festers for a lifetime, most times causing anger, fear, depression and self-hatred.
In posting signs about this level 3 sex offender, Mr. Zorn models behavior we all need to consider following. It may be that the only way to keep our children and community safe from offenders who carry this mental disease is for the neighborhood to bring each carrier into the light for all to see so that we can know and watch while letting these offenders live and work among us. It may be that shining the bright light of community awareness on them can begin their healing process and, at the same time, serve to keep survivors and all children safe in our town. For information on sex offenders in our area, see www.familywatchdog.us
Nancy Baxter
AQUEBOGUE
Cutting costs? Think welfare programs
Several months have transpired since I last wrote you on any vital issue. All we see and hear on the news these days are higher taxes coupled with reductions in services and transportation. Not fair, very poor, but a grim reality.
One area that our elected officials have managed to avoid must be the issue of welfare. There is absolutely no reason for any able-bodied adult to be in this costly and antiquated system. Just recently, an article appeared in the News-Review with regard to sex offenders upon release from incarceration receiving housing and sustenance at taxpayers’ expense.
Wrong, it’s called “get a job.”
Just think, use basic common sense for a second. We could kill two birds with one stone. If welfare were given to those in need, such as the elderly and disabled, etc., those able-bodied Americans would be taking the employment persons entering the country illegally are currently engaged in. Ergo, a win-win for all.
Frederick Rodgers
MATTITUCK
Doughnut-hole politics time
Our congressman, the honorable Tim Bishop, made a radio announcement the other day announcing what he calls good news for all seniors.
He stated that one million checks are going out to seniors in the amount of $250 each this year for the “doughnut hole” created by the new health care law. There will also be another million checks going out next year for the same amount, which he explained will help the “doughnut hole,” since some seniors will not have certain medical costs covered under the new health care bill.
I suggest that Mr. Bishop get out of the baking business and give our seniors a little more credit for their intelligence. They are very able to see through this timely move on his part to get your vote. What he didn’t say is that this will cost us $500 million over the next two years and your children and grandchildren will be paying for it.
Joseph Finora
JAMESPORT
Share the burden of group homes
It seems that even with a record state deficit our elected officials up in Albany can still find ways to waste the hard-earned tax dollars of the citizens of the state.
A case in point is a certain group home in Jamesport that can run the central air conditioning 24/7 for six months a year, cooling a 4,500-square-foot home. The same group home can find the money to be able to irrigate the property every day of the week, regardless of whether it’s rained or not in the previous 24 hours. The same home can leave the front door wide open in the middle of winter for 10 to 15 minutes while groceries are being brought in, and the same group home now has tax dollars to have solar panels installed on the roof, at a minimum cost to the taxpayers of $40,000!
With half of all group homes on the East End situated in Riverhead Town, it’s up to the taxpayers and homeowners of our town to not only pay for the above but also to come up with the extra money to cover the school and property taxes that group homes are not required to pay.
Repeated e-mails, letters and phone calls to my state officials have resulted in nothing being done to spread the cost of group homes more evenly over the East End. So if our duly elected state Senator Ken LaValle and Assemblyman Marc Alessi won’t lift a finger to help the taxpayers of the town, maybe it’s time to elect state representatives who will. I for one will remember and be voting come Election Day.
Thomas W. Smith
RIVERHEAD
What really grinds my gears
The letter “You almost killed me!” published Sept. 2 irked me so much I had to write. Yes, the letter’s author may have been legally in the right making the turn when she did. But, she had to have seen that the person waiting to come out of the side street before she arrived — due to the traffic was having trouble getting out. Common sense and courtesy should have prevailed before she made her turn. The lack of both, in my opinion, is what almost got her killed. Many drivers on the roads these days lack those important traits. While I’m on my soap box: People, learn to negotiate the new traffic circle at Route 58 and Roanoke Avenue! The vehicle that is already in the circle has the right of way! Because you’re in the right lane going east or west does not mean that you can just zoom straight through without even looking, You must yield. I’ve witnessed this many times already, resulting in near misses and accidents. I had a comment on the picture on page 14, also published Sept. 2, of the school’s floor being stripped and one person being paid to just hold the power cord, but I’ll leave that one alone. One more — almost done — Riverhead has many strict ordinances regarding signage that businesses would like to use to advertise their wares. What’s with all the ads facing Roanoke Avenue along the fence at the football field for Mercy High School? They’re distracting to drivers who should be focusing on the road – not reading ads; or are schools exempt from the rules? Thank you for letting me vent.
Henry Ashby
