Letter: Paper trail in Huntington ethics
Newsday provides insight on the real workings of local government ["Ties weren't disclosed," News, Nov. 3 and "Huntington ethics probe to be sought," News, Nov. 4].
There's money in them thar elected, official and lobbying positions. This town's ethics board is effective only when it is used as a hammer against the opponents of the people in power. Before Huntington Councilman Eugene Cook pursued a call to the feds to investigate "allegations of unethical practices" against town board members, the ethics board and its legal counsel, he should simply have filed requests under the Freedom of Information Law for two things, both of which should be readily retrievable in Town Hall.
One is the disclosure from Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius that should have been filed with an application for a change of zone for a condominium development. The second is the financial disclosure of Robert Fonti, a property management consultant for the town and chairman of the Huntington Housing Authority. Such a disclosure is required to be filed annually by a town employee or elected official.
Disclosure is a two-way street. Both documents should refer to town board member Mark Cuthbertson, a lawyer who has done work with Melius and Fonti. If they do, Cuthbertson should be in trouble for voting on matters related to Melius and Fonti. If they don't, all three men are involved in trying to hide relationships.
John Condon, Huntington Station
Editor's note: The writer was a deputy director of the Huntington Planning Department from 1986 to 1998 and served on the town's Board of Assessment Review from 1999 to 2004.
The importance of history exams
It's wrong for the Board of Regents to let students opt out of either a global history or a U.S. history and government exam for graduation ["State exam opt-out," News, Oct. 21].
Knowledge of U.S. history should be required for all students. Don't we expect them to live here? Won't it be beneficial for our next generation to know about our history -- the good and the bad?
How can we move forward as a democracy if the public isn't educated? By taking away this requirement, the Regents are undermining its value. I find that potentially dangerous.
Graig Bornn, West Babylon
So the Board of Regents has voted to allow vocational students to opt out of a history exam. I'm confused. Aren't we trying to raise educational standards so that our kids can compete in an increasingly global economy?
This is yet another sad step in devaluing the importance of history, and it sends a clear message to students, teachers and administrators that the subject doesn't really matter.
History can be a cautionary tale, teaching the dire consequences of prejudice, isolationism, greed, rampant nationalism and weak leadership, to name a few. On the positive side, when presented effectively, history teaches the value of important virtues like courage, self-sacrifice, diligence, determination, responsibility and honor.
If we keep chipping away at social studies education, we will get exactly what we deserve: a country whose citizens have no concept of the past and an inability to handle the problems of the future.
Karen Hoenscheid, East Northport
Charter schools are a valuable option
A few important points come to mind when reading about critics' opposition to charter schools on Long Island ["Closer look at LI's charter schools," News, Oct. 20].
Regarding the tax impact on local districts, let's remember that education dollars do not belong to districts. Districts provide public education, but they are no longer the only public schools in town. On the contrary, charter schools are public schools, delivering public education.
Until the New York State Charter Schools Act was passed in 1998, local districts operated all alone, and whether they continually failed or succeeded made no difference. The charter law changed that by creating a space for schools granted certain amounts of freedom and flexibility in exchange for strict accountability.
It means charters can do things such as extend the day and year to better serve children, but they risk closure if achievement is persistently low. That isn't just lip service; more than 20 schools have been shuttered in New York.
The challenge of adults finding something to agree on is not a reason to deny families another option. What are they afraid of? Education is supposed to be about the children, not the adults. Students shouldn't have to wait. A quality charter school can provide a better education now, not years from now, and many parents -- and kids -- would be grateful.
Andrea Rogers, Albany
Editor's note: The writer is the director of policy for the Northeast Charter Schools Network, a regional membership and advocacy organization.
Halloween adds to vandalism
Is Halloween innocent fun or vandalism?
Eggs, shaving cream and Silly String all leave damaging stains. Cars, vinyl siding, blacktop driveways, pavers and fences can be permanently marked. People should think twice before supplying children with these items for Halloween "fun."
Christine Gietschier, Westbury
