Letter: Aviation community willing to listen

While one can debate the accuracy of the noise surveys cited in a recent Newsday story and the methods used to determine the findings, what one cannot debate is the fact that aviation noise has become intrusive for those surrounding East Hampton Airport ["Copter crackdown," News, Nov. 12].

Also not up for debate is the fact that the aviation community needs to revise operations and use technology, common sense and courtesy in proposing solutions that will improve the situation.

It is not helpful for either side to engage in the kind of harsh vitriol that ultimately leads to litigation. Aviation plays a crucial role in protecting the economy of East Hampton and it must do its part to protect the quality of life that defines the East End.

Kurt Carlson, East Hampton

Editor's note: The writer is chief executive of Heliflite, a helicopter carrier that operates out of East Hampton Airport.

Don't change gender on birth certificates

The group bringing a lawsuit about transgender identification before New York City's health committee is asking for something that is illegal: forging or corrupting or defacing an official document ["Transgender issue mulled," News, Nov. 11].

A birth certificate is a legal document recorded at the time of the arrival of a new citizen on Earth in a specific town, city or country. To go back and change the gender designation would set precedent for any number of "adjustments" to the official records the government needs to identify its citizenry.

I cannot know what living a transgendered life is like, nor do I pretend to speak as an authority. On the legal aspect, though, I feel compelled to comment. I realize gender identification may be an inconvenience, an affront and maybe even inaccurate, in a sense, to some members of society.

However, the health committee must not yield on this issue. We as a country need to be able to identify people. The proposal recommended in the lawsuit sounds awfully Orwellian to me.

Nancy Macri Kennedy, Huntington Station

Small increases to Social Security

I agree 100 percent with the recent letter "Fed's policies hurt savers" [Nov. 14]. I would like to add something to that concept.

Cost-of-living increases for Social Security, calculated by a formula that in my opinion does not recognize reality, further adds to the problems faced by savers who are seniors and retired. In addition to reducing real disposable income for seniors, after adjusting for inflation, it has a detrimental effect on the economy. By the way, this also affects federal retirees.

Clifford J. Watins, Commack

Cuthbertson role is not a conflict

Newsday's coverage of Councilman Mark Cuthbertson is misleading because it consistently implies that the relationship between a judge-appointed attorney and a judge-appointed property manager creates the potential for corruption between the two of them ["Ethics issues remain murky in Huntington," News Column, Nov. 11].

However, the lawyer and the manager for a property in receivership are in a relationship that is parallel, meaning they both work for the court until the case is resolved. They owe nothing to each other, so there is no potential for a hidden quid pro quo between them.

David Bishop, Babylon

Editor's note: The writer is a Democrat and a lawyer who served in the Suffolk County Legislature from 1993 to 2005, and on the Babylon Town Council in 2006.

Changes in health deductibles, costs

I just reviewed next year's health plan, and I was surprised that my monthly premiums will be reduced by $5. My joy didn't last long, however, because I noticed that my current generic drug, which now costs me $9 for a 30-day supply, will be increased to $40 next year ["Rising generic drug costs queried," News, Nov. 21].

But it gets worse. There was no deductible for drugs this year, but next year I will be zapped for $315, and the maximum out-of-pocket cost will be $5,200 instead of $4,000. I think I'm about to get sick.

John Herman, North Babylon

Subway pushing raises fears

In light of the subway pushing in New York City ["Man killed on subway was pushed, cops say," News, Nov. 17], I have a rather naive question to ask: What is the city doing to protect subway riders?

Do other cities have this horrendous problem with subway riders at risk?

What should be done? More police presence? Or perhaps something totally impractical. I'm no engineer, but how about retractable gates?

I'm sure there are wiser experts who will come up with a solution, but I thought I would put in my two tokens of unsolicited advice.

Beth Rose Feuerstein Macht, Long Beach