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May 4: Suffolk police, primary votes, boater safety, bag recycling woes

May 4, 2008

Highway needs patrolling

The Newsday story "State top cop fears shortage" [News, April 17], shows how County Executive Steve Levy has gone to play a game of chicken with state leaders over Suffolk police patrolling the Long Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway.

Ever since he's taken office, Levy has systematically dismantled the Suffolk County Police Department, abolishing police positions from all over the department and even removing police officers from the security details that protect police headquarters. The headquarters building is now closed to the public at midnight. His action have left the department extremely undermanned.

Now he has embarked on a campaign of the highway patrol bureau transferring large groups of officers out, with the result that only half the amount of police cars will be patrolling Sunrise Highway and the LIE. Who will stop the chaos that will come from the lack of a police presence on these roads?

Christopher Story

Kings Park

Editor's note: The writer is a retired member of the Suffolk County Police Department.

Dems: Lose Dean

Howard Dean has pressed the two Democratic candidates, Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, to decide which one should voluntarily withdraw from the race in order to ensure the success of a Democratic candidate in the final running against Sen. John McCain ["Dean: After June primaries, one hopeful must quit race," News, April 29].

My suggestion is that Howard Dean should resign his position and allow the voters of Michigan and Florida to cast their votes again, regardless of whether the states or the party pays for the cost. The voters of America should decide who will be our next president - not the political parties.

Robert Shorin

Syossset

Boater safety kudos

A rousing "thanks" to the House of Representatives for passing a bill mandating boater safety education ["Boater Safety bill sails through House," News, April 25]. This action will help to save lives by preventing boating accidents. Hopefully, the Senate will follow suit and President George W. Bush will promptly sign it into law.

The United States Power Squadrons stands firmly behind all efforts to provide boaters with safe boating education. In addition to becoming safer boaters, individuals taking these classes enhance their enjoyment of boating.

Pete TenBrink

Syosset

Editor's Note: The writer is district commander of USPS District 3.

Animal friends

Kudos to the incredible guys at Rescue Ink ["Shock and awww," LI Life, April 27]! Animal abusers: Beware. We're no longer just little old ladies in tennis shoes!