Gov. Hochul, Suffolk police and bald eagles

Dems need to rethink who's running for gov

When Gov. Kathy Hochul served under former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, after the investigation was over, she conveniently distanced herself from him, referring to the work environment in the executive chambers as “toxic.”

Now, Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin is arrested, charged with campaign fraud, and has resigned. If Hochul knew about both Cuomo and Benjamin and chose to keep silent, that was unethical ["A judgment lapse for Hochul," Editorial, April 13]. State Democratic Party Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs should go back to the drawing board and figure out whether Hochul should be the Democratic nominee for governor, or is Rep. Tom Suozzi of Glen Cove a better fit with less baggage and possibly a greater chance to defeat the Republican nominee. A shrewd shift here will be best for the future of the state Democratic Party.

Zeshan Hamid, Miller Place

A first step in police accountability

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison’s suspension of Police Benevolent Association delegate Officer Edward Rose is a welcome first step toward honoring Harrison's pledge to instill a culture of transparency and accountability in a department long plagued by a culture of corruption ["Sources: Top cop suspends PBA delegate," News, March 30]. Rose’s role is to ensure that members’ rights under their collective bargaining agreement are not violated during any disciplinary process. He has no right to direct or otherwise interfere with the investigatory process. Harrison’s intervention is a significant departure from the Suffolk County Police Department's history of failing to honestly examine and appropriately address police misconduct.

SCPD precinct personnel have been allowed to investigate civilian complaints within their precincts and often failed to interview complainants or substantiate complaints. The Suffolk Legislature has adopted the county Police Reform and Reinvention Task Force’s recommendation authorizing the Human Rights Commission to review Internal Affairs Bureau decisions. However, the HRC cannot override IAB decisions. It can only recommend changes.

We will remain cautiously observant, given the SCPD’s track record, but believe this long overdue step toward accountability is the right thing to do.

Peggy Fort, Stony Brook

The writer is a member of United for Justice in Policing.

Socializing energy grid not a good concept

Having dodged one bullet by withdrawing her proposal to impose “auxiliary residential units” in single-family neighborhoods, Gov. Kathy Hochul has now run full tilt into another Long Island minefield by approving legislation that would socialize our energy grid, making the Long Island Power Authority one of the most bloated, indifferent and costly government agencies to hit Long Island taxpayers ["Marathon sessions produce NYS budget," News, April 10].

As a former LIPA board member, I have seen this authority seek to reinvent itself from a holding company for the debt on the defunct Shoreham energy plant to an entity in search of an empire. Not only would socialized electricity create thousands of new public salaries, pensions, and benefits, but it would place the competence and efficiency of that entity squarely on the governor's doorstep if it fails during the next hurricane. Can Long Island afford another public sector empire?

X. Cristofer Damianos, Smithtown

Messing with nature made our own problems

The whole point regarding the eagle's nest is that the project is illegal, according to federal, state and town law ["Really? This objection is truly for the birds," Letters, April 10]. Yes, the people opposing it are passionate about bald eagles. The history of the near-extinction of bald eagles and ospreys in New York State and elsewhere due to human interference might inform people what is behind this push to avoid interrupting the progress these magnificent birds have made. The reader says people are more important than birds, but that's not necessarily true. Every living creature on this planet has its place and serves its purpose, and it is a fragile balance. And it has been humans interfering with that balance because they thought they were more important that has caused so much harm to our natural resources and the environment.

Jack Corcoran, Manorville

Schools’ funds should reduce taxes

It’s amazing that Long Island schools will get a record increase in school funding [“$457M extra aid to schools on LI,” News, April 11]. The amazing part is that with all of this extra funding, our school taxes never stay the same or go down the same amount of the percentage increase in funding. Let’s try rolling back school taxes. Just a little. Is that so much to ask?

Paul Moran, Merrick