Changing HOV to toll lanes, immigrants, shutdown, farmland, democracy

Change HOV lanes to pay-as-you-go?

Let’s end the Clean Pass controversy [“Ending Clean Pass clogs lanes for all,” Letters, Oct. 2]. The state Department of Transportation already had undone the purpose of the HOV rule by exempting select vehicles with driver-only occupancy.

Now, why not eliminate the HOV lane entirely and just have four lanes of traffic on the Long Island Expressway?

The other alternative, though, is to do what at least 20 other states have done, creating High-Occupancy Toll lanes. They charge a toll to access the express lane — a pay-as-you-go lane — and identify single drivers through a combination of electronic transponders with manual switches and overhead cameras.

— Michael J. Genzale, Shoreham

There are two kinds of immigrants

The cover article says people aren’t going to Latino delis because they are afraid “Latino delis on LI struggle amid ICE crackdown,” News, Oct. 6]. Really? So, people who entered this country illegally, without work visas or school visas, and have remained in a sovereign country without permission, are now afraid of being detained and returned to their homeland?

Let’s differentiate between immigrants who legally entered the United States and those who are living here without legal permission.

— Andrew Siegel, Farmingdale

Shutdown unfair if only a few must work

As a retired detective from the U.S. Park Police, I have long been disturbed by the way those required to work during government shutdowns are treated “Dem, GOP impasse enters new week,” News, Oct. 6].

When a shutdown occurs, most employees are sent home, but some must work. Neither group gets paid until the shutdown is resolved.

The difference is remarkable: One group will get paid to stay home while the other group is required to work.

A fair system would be to give those who are required to work either compensatory or overtime pay for hours worked.

— Bill Stray, Rockaway Park

What will Quanta setback cost public?

Apparently, residents come last and politics goes first [“Quanta faces court setback,” Long Island, Sept. 30]. Quanta outscored PSEG Long Island in the selection process of a manager for the electric grid, and then the politics apparently took control. PSEG was selected despite its failure to provide promised service improvements. What will this cost the public?

— Gerry Hirschstein, Old Bethpage

Preserve farmland: Don’t build cottages

The intent of farmland preservation acts is to do just that — to permanently preserve farmland for farm use “Golf cottages? Riverhead might take a swing,” News, Sept. 20]. The act protects farmers from irreversible conversion of farmland to nonagricultural use.

How do golf cottages built alongside golf courses fulfill that requirement? Many farmers who believed this act would secure farming for generations lost their farm. My father believed it and subsequently lost everything, unable to sell or develop his land.

Some of those farmers who were the original main advocates for this act later became owners of private, very profitable golf courses on their preserved farmland, helping to feed only their pockets. So much for farm preservation in Suffolk County.

Why not try to preserve farmland as originally intended. Is that so hard?

— Sharon Breitenbach Tanzi, Mastic Beach

People must step up to save democracy

The editorial “Congress must guard military limits” Opinion, Oct. 5] misses a key point. President Donald Trump is putting his final nail into the coffin of democracy. Many know where this could be heading — troops on the streets of blue states during the 2026 election.

Guided by Project 2025, Trump has already marched us down the road of autocracy. It began with his attack on “the others.” He has effectively eliminated the guardrails of several inspectors general and whistleblowers.

He has attacked free speech and now has deployed his own masked and unidentified force, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Congress and the Supreme Court apparently will not step up since they have not done so up to this point. So, it needs to be the people who will resist the president before it is too late.

— Jeff Goldschmidt, Stony Brook