Letters: Blame commuters for messy Long Island Rail Road trains

Commuters complaining about the filthy conditions on Long Island Rail Road trains is the epitome of chutzpah [“Trash on the train,” News, Jan. 14]. Do the motormen and conductors create this problem? Don’t think so. Those trains wouldn’t be so filthy if commuters had respect for public property.

Jerome J. Levenberg, Cedarhurst

Folks want to blame the LIRR and its management for delayed and late trains? Check.

Blame the LIRR and management for switch problems? Check.

Blame the LIRR for insufficiently heated or cooled cars? You bet.

Terrible communication while commuting? Nailed it.

But to blame the LIRR and staff for the disgusting habits of the commuters who pay exorbitant fees to ride the LIRR? You have to be kidding me!

The finger-pointing should go in one direction — toward the riders who use the LIRR as their primary mode of transport to and from New York City. As a railroad commuter for 30-plus years, I have seen slobs from all walks of life leave garbage. I guess behaving in a courteous manner gets forgotten about in the parking lot.

Spare me the indignation and outrage about the state of disgusting trains. Commuters should just look around at fellow riders. But try saying something to that slob who just left the paper or bagel remnants? Nah, that’s someone else’s job.

Kevin J. McLaughlin, East Norwich

Your front-page picture raised an interesting question: Does a ticket entitle riders to leave their garbage for the railroad to pick up? How do the complainers think the trains got that messy? What a sad commentary on Long Island riders. I rode the trains for 29 years; if I had garbage, I took it off the train and threw it in a trash can.

Phil Cicciari, Port Washington

I read this article with disgust. I see garbage left on the trains as yet another example of the decline of morals in our society.

Apparently, too many people have a sense of entitlement that they believe justifies behaving like pigs, with no obligation to act with deference toward others or take responsibility for their actions. The fact that this mentality is even prevalent in the simple act of cleaning up after oneself speaks volumes about how people behave in more complex situations. God help us.

Tina Marie Soha, New Hyde Park

Here is a simple and practically no-cost solution to reduce trash on the LIRR. Modify the departure announcement that says “. . . please take all your personal belongings” to include “and any trash you have, including newspapers and food and drink containers.” I think most people would comply, if because of nothing else than guilt and the watchful eyes of caring fellow commuters.

Michael Filaseta, Hauppauge

Nassau GOP is acting as voice of the people

The “pox on all your houses” approach in Newsday’s Jan. 9 editorial, “Stop politicizing reassessments,” again misses the point about the controversy.

The fear, concern and anger among the residents are direct results of the incompetent manner in which Assessor David Moog and the administration have rolled out their reassessment plan. The administration has made error after error, and the information provided to the public has been inadequate.

Newsday’s editorial board is critical because the legislature’s Republican majority has not been more supportive of the administration’s reassessment plan. You have it backward. The majority has simply done what the administration and Moog have failed to do. We are helping constituents get answers, hosting town hall forums, and introducing legislation to force the administration to be more transparent and to protect the rights of the residents. In short, we are being the voice of the people in county government.

Richard Nicolello, Mineola

Editor’s note: The writer is presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature.

Thanks to a veteran nurse of World War II

World War II soldiers die quietly and mostly unnoticed by the world, not fully appreciated for the dedication they showed as part of “the greatest generation.” However, your Jan. 8 obituary and death notice for Mary Ann Galterio caught my eye. She was 101 when she died on Jan. 5 at a Southampton nursing home.

She served as a captain in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II, stationed on an evacuation hospital ship in the South Pacific, taking care of wounded soldiers.

I didn’t know her or her family, but I just feel better that I stopped for a moment of reflection and wrote this note to say thank you as we lose more of these incredible WWII veterans. I want to express my gratitude to those who gave us our freedom today. They must not go unnoticed.

Hail and farewell, Capt. Mary Ann Galterio, for a job well done. You have the appreciation of a very grateful country.

Mike Jacobs, Wantagh