LETTERS: Recount carefully, windmills wasteful, more
Don't rush accurate ballot count
Our nation is founded on the principle that people have power over government, not the other way around. Through elections, we the people choose the political leaders we grant with limited powers. If our government is to have any legitimacy whatsoever, we must have confidence that the votes we cast are counted - and counted properly. It's important to remember this in the coming days and weeks.
The outcome of the Nov. 2 election is still unclear in three very important Long Island races where only hundreds of votes separate the candidates. In the 7th Senatorial District in Nassau County, which could determine control of the State Senate, incumbent Democrat Craig Johnson is in a tight race against Mineola Mayor Jack Martins.
In the 1st Congressional District in Suffolk, incumbent Democrat Tim Bishop is in a close fight against Republican Randy Altschuler. Also in Suffolk, in the 1st Assembly District, Democrat Marc Alessi faces a challenge from County Legislator Dan Losquadro.
Thousands of ballots have still not been counted in these races. Votes have yet to be counted from men and women serving in the military, or who for some other reason were unable to travel to a polling place on Election Day.
This was the first time our elections were being run on new electronic voting machines. Many voters encountered difficulties, and there are reports of hundreds of emergency ballots filled out and cast because of machine problems. Many of these votes have never, as yet, been counted.
We will only have confidence in elections if all votes are counted accurately. We must not and should not let any voters be passed over, whether by a flawed process or a pointless rush to meet an arbitrary deadline. Every voter counts, and every vote must be counted.
Judy Jacobs
Editor's note: The writer is a Nassau County legislator.
Offshore windmills not worth expense
The article on wind turbines, "Study tilts at offshore windmills" [News, Nov. 4], generated some thoughts. The Long Island Power Authority and others are planning to spend $4 billion on offshore wind turbines to generate 350 to 700 megawatts of electricity. Because of the fickleness of the wind, only 33 to 40 percent of that value would be realized.
Wouldn't it make more sense to invest in rooftop solar panels? Since the average residential rooftop solar panel installation costs about $25,000, $4 billion would provide about 160,000 solar panel installations. This suggestion would generate about 800 megawatts of electricity; nighttime and clouds would reduce the efficiency to about 40 percent, or 320 megawatts.
As an added bonus, water coils could be incorporated under the photovoltaic panels to partially provide hot water. Maintenance of a land-based system would be far simpler than one in deep water.
Fred Zuckerberg
Editor's note: The writer is a former chief of the scientific services division for the National Weather Service.
Athletic trainers help avoid damage
I am writing in response to "Docs: Take a hit, get checked" [News, Nov. 2]. The spokesman for the State Education Department severely undervalued athletic trainers in his comments. State law says that a certified athletic trainer shall not treat neurologic injuries, conditions or disease. It is, however, within our expertise to recognize and evaluate athletic injuries, and traumatic brain injury falls within this category.
When the National Football League began research for its recommendations about traumatic brain injuries for Congress, it enlisted the assistance of the National Athletic Trainers Association. Who better to write the national regulations for the injury than the front line of defense on the athletic field?
A word to the athletic directors of New York: I understand that it is financially difficult to hire a certified athletic trainer in a school district. Many school districts simply cannot afford them. When it comes to the safety of our children, I ask you if we can afford not to?
The comment that many school districts cannot find certified athletic trainers is yet another reflection of how our profession is undervalued. Jobs that high schools offer to professionals are for simple game coverage. This affords very little opportunity to follow up with the athletes who are injured.
The other option for high schools is to contract with a physical therapy clinic to provide athletic trainers. This is worse, because it is nothing more than an attempt by the clinic to get patients into their facility. Health care of the athletes should always be the priority.
There are plenty of quality professionals in our communities, we simply have to find the resources and offer them adequate compensation to do their job correctly.
Tim Prohinsie
Editor's note: The writer is the head athletic trainer at Nassau Community College.
MTA talking out of both sides
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's dual personality disorder could not be more evident than in these two stories: "MTA head touts transit as region's economic engine" [Newsday.com, Nov. 8] and "MTA says it can't afford to keep up LI Bus subsidy" [Newsday.com, Nov. 9].
Apparently, the MTA's chairman, Jay Walder, doesn't understand that buses are at least as important to Long Island's growth as is the Long Island Rail Road, especially given that buses likely connect more Long Island residents with Long Island employers than do trains.
If Walder truly wants to "keep the region from stalling economically," as he says, and provide "fuel" for its "economic engine," the MTA must stop putting roadblocks in front of Long Island Bus.
Jonathan I. Ezor
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 15: LI's top basketball players On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay take a look top boys and girls basketball players on Long Island.
