Islanders jerseys, clean energy, Native voices, ICE shootings, data centers, dangerous roads

Forget new Islanders jerseys, bring us a winner

I’ve been reading about the Islanders encouraging fans to enter a contest to design a new third jersey for the team [“Isles contest scores big," Sports, July 10]. Frankly, most fans would prefer that the Islanders finally design a winning team.

The Islanders have not won the Stanley Cup since 1983, have not reached the Cup Finals since 1984, and have made the semifinals only three times in the ensuing 42 years. So, knock it off with the silly nonsense and put a winning team on the ice.

— Richard Impagliazzo, West Babylon

Fight global warming with cleaner energy

I was struck by the ironic pairing of two news articles: "National Grid: Need to replace LI plants" and "Smoke from wildfires keeps NYS skies hazy." News, July 16]. Those massive wildfires are fueled by extreme heat, which is caused by Earth’s warming climate. That warning is driven by the accumulated effects of burning fossil fuels, such as in those used in National Grid’s power plants. To paraphrase a political maxim, "It’s climate change, stupid."

To slow the tide of climate change and its terrible effects, we don’t need a new generation of gas-fired power plants. We need National Grid to commit to a dramatic increase in its renewable energy portfolio and battery storage.

The air in my area is officially "hazardous," and dangerous heat waves are coming even for our temperate area. These trends are not affordable in the long run.

Solar energy and battery storage are now the most affordable forms of new energy generation. Are you listening, National Grid? Are you listening, Gov. Kathy Hochul?

— Stephanie Doba, Sag Harbor

Long Island’s problem is the supply of natural gas. Although high-volume hydraulic fracturing is currently prohibited in New York, the state should permit fracking to unleash supply and prosperity. The state could then give Long Island residents and businesses an incentive to purchase natural gas purchased in New York State.

An energy surplus could unleash upstate prosperity and incredible state tax revenue. The state must focus on Long Island’s roads and rails, which are choking our economy. Electrify and double track all rail lines.

— Alan H. Cohn, Nesconset

Native voices belong in classroom

Congratulations to Kodiak Tarrant for becoming the first student in New York to earn a Seal of Biliteracy in the Shinnecock Algonquian language [“LI teen talks his way into history," Long Island, July 14].

For far too long, school districts have paid little attention to Native American cultures. Most have failed to integrate tribal histories and cultural awareness into the curriculum. As a high school teacher, I developed and taught an elective course on Native American Studies.

Whenever possible, school districts should make every effort to call on Native Americans not only to speak to classes but also to assist in curriculum development.

Efforts should be made to seek out and hire competent teachers as role models.

Kudos to the Southampton School District for incorporating Native American culture from K-12, dubbed the Shinnecock Curriculum Infusion Project. Their students will be prepared academically and culturally. There have been bumps in the road, but tribal leaders and district officials, along with the Board of Education, have partnered with the community, businesses, and faith-based organizations and have worked diligently to improve the program.

— Chet Lukaszewski, Huntington

Fatal ICE shootings raise more concern

Another day, another shooting by agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement "Person killed by ICE not target: Senator," News, July 14]. So far, 11 people, some American citizens, have been fatally shot by ICE. These latest shootings raise even more concern.

When President Donald Trump said he was going after the worst of the worst, I didn’t realize it was a hiring policy.

— Brian Bies, East Meadow

Delay on data centers avoids election heat

Isn’t it convenient for Gov. Kathy Hochul to pause making a decision for one year on big data centers, so she can avoid doing so before the November elections [“Gov orders pause on large data centers," News, July 14]? But we saw her do this dance before when starting, stopping, and restarting congestion pricing.

— Gary Urivetzky, Island Park

Drivers are the danger, not the road design

Yet another article advocating for bike lanes and greenways to make roads safer "Make New York’s roads safer for all," Opinion, July 15].

This is all well and good, but our roads won’t truly be safe until we remove people who insist on driving drunk, impaired by drugs, or who drive in an aggressive and life-threatening manner. Perhaps, then, with a major assist from law enforcement, our roads may be safer for all.

— Mike Baard, Merrick