LETTERS: 9/11 health bill was beyond politics
9/11 health bill was beyond politics
Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) scolds the Democrats for the defeat of the Zadroga 9/11 health bill because they pushed for a two-thirds majority vote - which would not allow the Republicans to attach amendments to the bill - rather than bringing it up for a simple majority vote .
This vote was about doing the right thing for first responders of 9/11. Politics should have been left out of it.
Mike Calma, Hicksville
Peter King has been a tireless fighter and supporter of police, firefighters and our brave men and women in the military. King was a sponsor of the bill that was all but decimated by the Democrats.
That party's insulting, successful attempt to ensure that the bill was not passed by employing procedural grounds only serves to exemplify the insensitivity and lack of touch with the common man that the Democrats all share.
John Savin, Massapequa
Planning is critical
The article "Special arrangements" was right on point in highlighting both the parental concerns and planning requirements for families with special needs children.
As the father of triplets, two of whom are on the autism spectrum, and as a financial planner, I know firsthand both the financial and emotional burdens associated with having developmentally-disabled children.
Along with having the right professionals to help your child reach his or her full potential, parents also need to plan for growing and preserving their wealth, a sound estate plan and an individualized life plan for their special needs children.
Charles Massimo, Melville
Swimming in doubt over permit stance
The Town of Riverhead needs to give taxpayers a little more credit .
The town is paying its staff to use Google Earth to check for swimming pools that do not have permits. Riverhead's Chief Building Inspector, Leroy Barnes, Jr., said the town targeted pools due to saftey concerns. Riverhead Town Councilman James Wooten expressed his concern that someone may drown.
Please! Pool safety is extremely important, but I doubt that a permit and an inspection would prevent a drowning days, weeks, months or years later.
Riverhead officials should just admit that they want to get the taxpayer to pay for a permit and then raise the pool owner's taxes. I'll believe it's a saftey issue when the town provides the permit and inspection at no cost to the homeowner and does not raise taxes because of it.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
