LETTERS: LIE truck traffic, inflation and more

A simple suggestion to ease truck traffic

 To reduce trucks on the LIE during the day , why not offer free E-ZPass tolls on the bridges and tunnels for tractor trailers that travel from midnight to 5 a.m.?

Sal Gerardi

Lindenhurst

Report on inflation was good - sort of

Good news! Consumer prices fell for the first time since 1982, excluding food and energy "Core consumer prices fall," News, Feb. 20]. If I stop eating, driving and turning on the heat, I'll finally be able to make ends meet.

Frank Hurley

Oyster Bay

Outrageous award

I read with disbelief about the $16-million award to Thomas Hartmann, who lost his leg when a police car ran over him as officers were trying to subdue him ["$16M verdict in suit vs. cop," News, Feb. 20]. He had made threatening calls to his wife in violation of an order of protection, he threatened police, and then ran away when the police were trying to apprehend him. Why should he be entitled to any money when everything that led to the cop running over him was caused by his own criminal actions?

If the police had just let him run away and next week he harmed his wife, the police would be blamed for letting him escape their grasp. The force seemed appropriate given the circumstances. In my opinion, the only appropriate award would be for Hartmann to reimburse the police for the dent to their vehicle.

James Haufler

Oceanside

Time for new ideas to keep parks open

I can't understand how Jones Beach would fall prey to proposed park closures. The theater, pool and beaches are packed in the summertime. Rather than close the pool or cancel the fireworks, maybe the state should farm out management of the whole park.

Before canceling the fireworks, look for a corporate sponsor. For instance, Goldman Sachs had a very good year last year with our help, earning nearly $5 billion in the last quarter alone. It needs some good will. Whatever that show costs, it's a drop in the bucket for Goldman.

The pool isn't making enough money? Raise admission, or farm the pool out. Before closing other pools, put them out for bid.

I know Gov. David A. Paterson has to make cuts, but the state needs to look to new ways to solve its budget problems. Why not post the whole budget on the Web in an easy- to-read (i.e. sixth-grade level), easy-to-understand format (complete with "what's this?" mouse-overs), and ask the public to suggest ways to trim the budget?

Not only will it generate great goodwill for the governor in bringing transparency to the kleptocracy in Albany, but officials will get great ideas, and people will fully realize the cost of government.

Anne Matthaei

Island Park