Letters: Suffolk Santa's holiday paycheck
Dave McKell, 83, of Huntington Station, right, was presented a personal check by Steve Bellone, left, to continue portraying Santa Claus at St. James General Store in St. James. Bellone, running for Suffolk County Executive, decided to take action after current Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy cut the program's funds from the county budget. Credit: Photo by John Dunn
Am I the only one missing the point of "Santa David McKell" and his $660 for four weekends' work? ["St. Nixed: Suffolk cuts funds to pay for county's Santa Claus," News, Nov. 4]. I always thought that doing something like this on a volunteer basis was the thing to do.
And as this man is a retired police officer and state trooper, I would think that his pensions are more than enough for him not to need the $660. I'm sure there would be a line of "Santas" to do this job for less.
Anthony Sciabarassi, Albertson
Tell me that Suffolk County didn't really fire Santa Claus. What is this world (or is it just Suffolk County) coming to? How can humanity be so cruel to the children in St. James? How can they be so cruel to David McKell?
I know that in these bad economic times we need to tighten our spending, but to take away the Christmas and holiday spirit from our kids? And by the way, it's not just about the kids. I know some adults who get into the Christmas spirit when they see ole St. Nick.
The next thing we'll hear is that Suffolk County will cancel New Year's Eve, so we'll have to do 2011 all over again.
Daniel Oill, Amityville
I am outraged at the attention given to a retired civil servant, with a pension, who has the audacity to complain that the county did not want to employ him as a Santa this year due to financial constraints.
Instead of bashing the official who made the decision, why don't we ask Santa to volunteer his services? Wouldn't that be more representative of the spirit of the season?
With so many out of work and struggling, how can this be worthy of mention, much less an opportunity to vie for votes?
Shari Jacobs, North Babylon
Faced with an economic crisis, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy put a red pen to a budget item: $660 for David McKell to play Santa at the St. James General Store. Levy's action shows solidarity with people who are suffering due to the economic crisis. This creates an opportunity for volunteers to come forward to have the pleasure of playing Santa.
Mary A. McCaffery, Southold
Editor's note: The writer is a former councilwoman for the Town of Oyster Bay.
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