LETTERS: MTA bus cuts, home-care agencies care for aides, and more

Buses were running just fine before MTA

Regarding "MTA's ideas could hit LI hard" : In the 1960s, both Nassau County and the MTA could not wait to take over the Hempstead Bus Corp., and others.

These private companies were employers, taxpayers and contributors to the local economy that provided safe, clean, dependable, and courteous service.

These companies, had they been then supported and allowed to remain, would have been far less of a burden to us taxpayers, and continued to operate efficiently.

William Devlin, Rockville Centre

Home-care agencies appreciate their aides

The letter suggesting that home care agency officials "should spend a day caring for a client to appreciate the aide's worth" really got my ire .

Having been a home-care coordinator for the past 10 years, I can say that the majority of agencies do care about the aides. We realize that we are sending aides unsupervised into clients' homes to care for the frail and sick. We encourage and reward aides who choose this profession not just for the money they make, but because they are genuine, caring people.

The public is not aware of the many costs incurred by agencies under the guidelines of the state and counties. In addition to the operating costs, we pay high insurance rates. We pay for the fingerprinting of every aide and, if necessary, for medical screenings.

The state tells the agencies what they can charge for services. The industry just needs a little breathing room to recover from the vast changes that have taken place over the past few years.

If home-care agencies are forced to close or lessen their workforce, we all lose.

Mary Jones, Wantagh

Lauding, lambasting school's closure

Regarding "They want their school back" : Where are the viewpoints of the hundreds of people who breathed a sigh of relief when the school board voted to close Jack Abrams Intermediate School?

It amazes me that people can sincerely say that this is an overreaction to a few incidents around the school.

What are they waiting for? If a child were shot or killed on school property during school hours, what would they say?

There are so many of us who applaud this decision and while I am not happy that a school will close, I know it was the right decision.

Meredith Hassett, Huntington

I am deeply saddened by the decision of the Huntington School Board to close the Jack Abrams School. As a parent, I clearly understand the concern on the part of parents whose children attend the Abrams school.

While there has been violence in the area adjacent to the school, I think it is fair to state that none of the violence in that area has occurred on school property during school hours and no student has been harmed while attending classes at this school.

It's also worth noting that many of the parents who have children attending that school believe that the school is well run. It has many excellent teachers, administrators and staff members. What really pains me about all of this is that the criminal element appears to have won this round.

They have successfully orchestrated the closing of a good school, which will ultimately also cause some very good people to lose their jobs as the school district struggles to move children into other schools.

Is that really the message we want to send to our children? Is that really the message we want to send to those who choose to commit acts of violence in our communities? Do we really want to let the bad guys win?

Frank J. Stalzer, Huntington

The issue isn't about keeping "education in the Station." Keeping Jack Abrams open was the wrong fight. Coming together and demanding that our leaders keep Huntington Station safe is the fight. Getting more police is the issue. Getting rid of slumlords is the issue. Getting a gang task force is the issue.

Jill Carrello, Huntington

Is closing a school drastic? Yes, absolutely. However, these neighborhoods have been plagued with crime for many, many years.

Whatever has been tried in years past does not seem to be working. It was a radical move but maybe it will prove to help and not hurt as so many seem to be reporting.

Where is the story about how the town and county haven't done their job to help the people who live in these neighborhoods?

Michele Kustera, Huntington

Rockville Centre caved in flip on dog ban

The Village of Rockville Centre did the right thing in banning pit bulls and rottweilers, only to be pressured by the Long Island Coalition of Dog Fanciers .

If village board members really cared about these two breeds, they would let them fade out. Most of these dogs are used by people who need protection from something.

So many are abused by their owners, and a lot are in shelters. When you have this type of dog coming at you, foaming out the mouth, you might have a different perspective. Massive jaws make for a vicious bite and sometimes death.

Dog fanciers, just remember: Children first, dogs second.

M. Tuthill, Sayville

Gyrodyne property still bargain to SUNY

The editorial blasting a judge's ruling on the Gyrodyne land grab by Stony Brook University is incredible .

Eminent domain is only "risky" when you woefully underpay for land.

Maybe if the state university had paid a fair price for the property initially, it might not have found itself in the spot it's in now.

If, as the editorial says, the "highest and best use" of this land is as a research center - and I will not argue with that point - the price of $125 million may indeed be cheap.

If it becomes business incubator, income generator and job creator for future generations of Long Islanders, I think that's a small price to pay.

Thomas Morris, Saint James

Dysfunctional news has a new function

Many thanks to Newsday for the continued coverage of the Lohan family mess .

At one time, I was like many Newsday readers and deplored the constant coverage of this dysfunctional family. The constant need for attention by the loving father, Michael, and Newsday's penchant for planting his picture in the paper so regularly, became an issue for many of us readers.

However, in recent weeks I have noticed that my pets take great pleasure whenever I place Michael Lohan's picture face up in their cage.

Thank you, Newsday!

George A. Szarmach, Woodbury