LETTERS: Carry-ons, libraries and more

Standardize carry-ons to reduce aggravation

When will shuttle storage protocol find its way to passenger airlines "Lost bag might make you a carry-on convert," Letters, May 1]?

We got Tang from the space program but not the idea of standardized storage compartments in the overhead. Every carry-on bag should be made to the same specs and fit into a space designed for it. Decorate it any way you please, but they should all measure the same size and shape. This would save time and reduce aggravation.

Greg Bruschi

Plainview

Library services are an unbeatable bargain

In "Not your father's library" , Ken Verbesey points out many important and needed services that today's libraries provide.

There are still more reasons to support passing library budgets that were not mentioned. Local libraries also host live performances of many genres; movies; book, music and art discussions; writing and poetry clubs; exercise and cooking classes; and teen and children's activities free of charge. For a reasonable fee, group trips to Broadway shows and to art museums allow people to visit our great city who otherwise could not.

Libraries are a social, cultural and intellectual boon to any community. They should be treated as a great asset for an unbeatable bargain.

Irma Mandel

Huntington Station

Putting school taxes in perspective

On May 18, residents will be asked to vote to support their own - or their neighbor's - children's education. Coming on the heels of many months of financial hardship for most families, there will be those who give a knee-jerk response. They will vote down the budget in an act that, in reality, is against their own best interests. Many do not hesitate to take those same children for a fast-food meal or a designer T-shirt, but out of frustration will refuse to absorb the slight tax increase the proposed budgets translate into.

On my house, the average budget increase of about 4 percent would result in a $128 annual tax increase, or about 35 cents a day. You can't even buy a cup of coffee for that!

What some teacher unions are doing to help to keep the costs down has been commendable, but in the end the final outcome is in the hands of the voters (only about 20 percent of whom come out to even cast a ballot). None of us would want our children's future to be jeopardized, but when we vote down a school budget we are doing just that. And isn't our children's education worth an increase of 35 cents a day?

Vinni Ercole

Port Jefferson Station