LETTERS: Furloughs, diocese decision and more

If you're furloughing, cut entitlements, too

Since Gov. David A. Paterson and state legislators are furloughing state employees one day a week , effectively giving them a 20 percent pay cut, then how about reducing entitlements by 20 percent as well?

Patrick McBride

Holbrook

Decision shows diocese is responsive

In "Diocese plan on hold" , it is important to note that the appointment of chief operating officer Charles Trunz III changed the operating model at a critical time for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. He, with the support of Bishop William Murphy and the Diocesan Finance Council, brought a new strategic vision to the diocese. The financial procedures he put in place are enabling the diocese and its parishes to be better stewards of their resources.

The diocese is taking a more measured approach with the rollout of the shared services model. Bishop Murphy and diocesan leadership have taken the wise step of making midcourse corrections to the plan based on listening to the concerns of pastors and others in the wake of the voluntary separation program. The reality, as spokesman Sean Dolan correctly stated is, "we want to make sure we get this right." If this were done in the private sector, leadership would be viewed as being nimble and responsive to constituent feedback.

Lewis S. Ranieri

Uniondale

Peter Quick

Mill Neck

Editor's note: The writers are members of the Diocesan Finance Council.

Rational approach needed for illegals

When we get past the harsh emotional rhetoric about illegal immigration ("criminal trespassers" who "should be arrested and deported") "Kudos to Gov. Brewer for new Arizona law," Letters, May 6], we have to have some rational approach to the fact that this country has by our best estimate about 11 million illegal immigrants.

They are not all criminals; the majority are people looking for a better life and willing to work hard. They are here to stay and we need a comprehensive policy to afford them the opportunity to become "legal." Let's not forget we are a country of immigrants; our diversity is more of a strength than a weakness.

Jack Pepitone

West Hempstead

More cameras won't stop terror threat

Interesting answer on technology from Rep. Peter King : Once terrorists know that their vehicles, license plates and actions will be caught on camera, it makes it much less likely they will attack. Gray market vehicles, traded plates and bombers with explosive devices strapped to their chests are going to be deterred by cameras? Doesn't seem likely to me.

Ed Pavlak

Speonk