Climate aims dim, Nassau a Blakeman steppingstone?
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, at podium, speaks during a news conference in Mineola, N.Y., March 6, 2024. Credit: AP/Philip Marcelo
Nassau a Blakeman steppingstone?
Even though the ink certifying on Dec. 3 his reelection as Nassau County executive has barely dried, Bruce Blakeman has officially begun his campaign for governor [“Failed promises in tow, a new bid,” Editorial, Dec. 10].
On Jan. 1, Blakeman is scheduled to be sworn in for his second term. But in light of his already having made his Albany-bound intentions clear, it is reasonable to question Blakeman’s commitment to actually fulfilling any promises that he made during his recent campaign or that may be part of his inaugural address.
While Blakeman hopes for solid support for his candidacy, he should not be surprised if many Nassau County residents who see him quickly turning his focus past them now feel like they were mere steppingstones for his ego and ambition.
— Chuck Cutolo, Westbury
The writer was the counsel for the Democrats on the Nassau County Legislature in the late 1990s while Blakeman was presiding officer.
Climate aims dim as Hochul retreats
People who enjoy warm winters should not be happy experiencing them on Long Island, not with all we know about their harm: decreased water supply, increased fire risk, and more potentially destructive invasive insects [“Effects of climate change on LI,” News, Dec. 7].
But with President Donald Trump declaring renewable energy investment a “green new scam,” canceling project funding and trying to roll back emissions standards, we have only Gov. Kathy Hochul to look to for climate action.
Unfortunately, Hochul has been weakening, backsliding from promises and holding up commitments.
Here are examples of the governor’s complete retreat from her original position on the necessity for climate action:
Delaying implementation of the All-Electric Buildings Act that she signed into law, greenlighting the twice-rejected Northeast Supply Enhancement Project fracked gas pipeline, her failure so far to sign the repeal of the 100-foot rule, and strikingly, Hochul’s utter unwillingness to start the Cap-and-Invest Program.
None of this is good news for Long Island.
— Karen C. Higgins, Massapequa Park
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