LETTERS: LIRR to LI, teacher tenure, DWI ...

More LI-bound trains would be helpful

In his column "Being No. 1 isn't always good" [News, Nov. 14], Ellis Henican claimed that the primary reason the Long Island Rail Road is now carrying fewer passengers than Metro-North is the lack of jobs on Long Island.

But how about the fact that, even if there were more work here, there are very few trains to take New York City residents to Long Island jobs? This is proof once again that the LIRR needs a third track on the main line.

Barbara Josepher

Syosset

Editor's note: The writer is a former chair of the Long Island Rail Road Commuters Council.

Tenure review period more than adequate

As a retired teacher with 40 years in the classroom, I want to respond to Valley Stream Central High School Superintendent Marc Bernstein's assertion that school boards should have at least six years to evaluate professional staff before granting tenure ["Steps to take now for our schools," Opinion, Nov. 23]. He is asking, in effect, that a teacher remain in limbo for at least six years.

Under the current system, the superintendent establishes a hiring procedure consisting of examinations, interviews and records. Then, he has three years during which he may fire without cause. Beyond three years, he has to have a valid reason to terminate a teacher's service.

Bernstein and his staff should be able to evaluate a probationary teacher within three months, not three years. If they are unable to determine whether a teacher is effective within three years, perhaps it is they who should be replaced.

Arnold Holtzman

Plainview

DWI penalties too light

Why is it so difficult for lawmakers to understand that they will never change "murder with a car" unless they change the law? As Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice lamented, "We need to come up with ways to bring to the attention of drunk drivers that they are going the wrong way" ["DA to state: Help prevent wrong-way drivers," News, Nov. 23]. How about, get them off the road!?

Several pages later ["Guilty in fatal cop crash," News, Nov. 23], Jose Borban admitted to driving drunk and talking on a cell phone, killing Officer Glen Ciano - for which he will get only up to four years in prison. It's sickening.

This killing occurred only six weeks after a separate case, in which Borban admitted to driving drunk and was sentenced to jail for a year. Accountability is something our present society seems to have difficulty accepting.

Bridgit Manseau

Rocky Point

Tanks to Afghanistan

Tanks a lot!

So after years of our troops being killed or maimed by roadside bombs in their not-too-protective Humvees, we're sending tanks to Afghanistan? ["U.S. sends big tanks to fight Taliban," News, Nov. 20.]

Wow, now that's military intelligence!

Frank DeMartino

Rockville Centre