May 10: Investigate Republic Airport, Manhattan suburbinizaton, gas tax debate

May 10, 2008

Do real Republic Airport reporting

With a $55 million proposal to build new Republic Airport hangars, Long Island's aviation community has finally acknowledged that it plays an integral role in our region's economy. Now if only Newsday could provide a measure of insightful reporting on the plan rather than going to its "default setting" of headlining "conflict" ["Residents protest expansion at Republic Airport," Newsday.com, May 1].

Republic Airport has gone from a defense complex to the region's busiest general aviation facility, albeit with facilities left over from WWII. While nostalgic, these buildings can't meet current energy and infrastructure needs.

Aviation developer SheltAir has proposed a sweeping response to an FAA mandate that these hangars be demolished. SheltAir has conducted a multimillion-dollar study that reviews the environmental impact of its plan plus current and potential development proposals across the airport. In cooperation with Republic, Shelt-Air also has explained its proposal in detail to the community. With more than a dozen meetings so far, SheltAir has provided residents with more than a briefing, but the means to offer input and comments. Far more effective than public platforms for NIMBY demagogues, sincere people are offering insight and differing opinions.

Desmond Ryan

Hauppauge

Editor's note: The writer is executive director of Association for a Better Long Island, a developer's lobbying group.

McCain, Clinton right on gas tax

Sens. Hillary Clinton and John McCain are right on in their recommendation to suspend the federal gas tax. Clinton, even more so with her proposal to recover the money with a windfall profits tax on the oil companies. With the present astronomical price of gas, suggestions that the slight reduction at the pump would somehow induce more driving or harm the economy are ludicrous.

Inasmuch as the present administration not only is inept at controlling fuel prices and is exacerbating its untenable position by subsidizing farmers to convert crops into ethanol, resulting in substantial increases in basic food costs, the least it could do is offer some relief for people who depend on transportation for their livelihood.

Julius Rubin

Franklin Square

Blame it on 'Mr. Big'

Regarding "Blame it on 'Sex and the City'?" [News, May 5]: First of all, I can't believe this subject warrants a newspaper article. Can we get a reality check here? Is Sarah Jessica Parker on the New York City Zoning Board?

I rather think the billionaire mayor, Michael Bloomberg, is to blame for the transformation of Manhattan into an upscale suburb.

Christine Goncharuk

Dix Hills

Oh, Mama

Dina Lohan won "Top Mom." I guess being divorced and having a child in and out of rehab is something every Long Island mother should strive for.

Kevin Morrish

Holtsville

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