Buying from local stores, South Fork Wind Farm

Don’t go to a store, then buy it online

Former Rep. Steve Israel said people go into his bookstore, read book jackets and then order the book on Amazon right in the store [“I left Congress to open an LI bookstore,” Opinion, March 13].

I work in retail, and this happens to me frequently, too. I spend time helping a client who takes out a cellphone and orders the item online. This is wrong on so many levels.

This is incredibly rude to shopkeepers and salespeople. It shows a lack of class. Buying an article online while holding it in one’s hand in the store takes money away from local shopkeepers. Keeping money in the community helps everyone. Why give it to Amazon, which has no direct interest in our community?

This basic economics lesson should be taught in schools. If an article is here in a brick-and-mortar store, buy it. If you buy it online, you may have to add shipping and handling, and if you return it you may have to pay a restocking fee.

Help local businesses and keep the money in our community.

— Valerie Romeo, Bayport

Completing wind farm one small step

The article on the wind farm completion emphasized the groups unhappy with the project [“$2.01B South Fork Wind Farm completed,” News, March 15]. I know it’s a slogan to make a point, but you can’t put turbines on golf courses. That’s not where the offshore wind blows.

I’m relieved that after years of struggle and delays, the South Fork Wind Farm is finally operational, but the amount of power it will generate, 130 megawatts, is tiny compared to what we need. The state climate goal calls for nine gigawatts by 2035.

Fortunately, Gov. Kathy Hochul expedited the rebidding of the Empire 1 and Sunrise wind projects.

I don’t think most Long Islanders have a problem with offshore wind bringing us clean, renewable and homegrown energy.

— David Bissoon, Bay Shore