Letters: Support for probation officers; too late for Lighthouse?

Time to recognize probation officers

In "Probation for juveniles" , judges, including Jonathan Lippman, chief judge of the state of New York, are portrayed as lacking confidence in the probation system.

I can assure Lippman and others that Suffolk County has highly committed Family Court probation officers who manage the cases of more than 1,000 juveniles throughout the county.

Even amid staff shortages and budget cuts, Suffolk probation officers work with juveniles in programs intended to divert these children from incarceration.

When all courts recognize probation officers as necessary and valuable people whose experience, judgment and expertise not only enforce the courts' mandated conditions but also serve the needs of the greater community, the relationship between the courts and probation system will improve.

Gail D'Ambrosio

Patchogue

Editor's note: The writer is president of the Suffolk County Probation Officers Association and is a senior probation officer.

Too little, too late for Lighthouse on LI?

National Hockey League Commisioner Gary Bettman is correct when he states that "the governing bodies on Long Island can't seem to get their act together" regarding the Lighthouse Project .

While the Town of Hempstead has finally taken a pro-active step with the coliseum property redevelopment by performing its own zoning study, let's not forget to question why it has taken them this long to become involved. One wonders if this is too little, too late for a crucial project that will help determine the future landscape of Long Island.

One must realize that the failure of Long Island to develop and sustain its own economic engines and provide apartment-style housing will result in the region being wholly dependent upon New York City for jobs and housing for young adults. That will turn us into a borough faster and deeper than developing 77 acres of asphalt in the middle of a downtown commercial area.

Marc Nicols

Deer Park

Nassau parks pick raises questions

Let me try to understand. Carnell Foskey has been appointed by Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano as the county's new commissioner of parks and recreation .

Foskey will be paid a salary of $130,625. Meanwhile, the current parks commissioner, Jose Lopez, is lauded by County Executive Mangano. "Jose Lopez has done a great job . . ." Lopez will continue to work in the department as Foskey's assistant, and he will continue to earn a salary of $130,625.

Why can't Lopez just continue as parks comissioner? More importantly, why is the cash-strapped county paying an extra $130,625 to someone who appears to have little, if any, experience pertinent to this position?

Kathleen Glass

Merrick