Newsday letters to the editor for Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019

So Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand wants to run for president [“Gillibrand: It’s official,” News, Jan. 16].

On Oct. 25, she was asked at a debate whether she would run for the higher office. “I will serve my six-year term,” she said. She was re-elected to the Senate 12 days later.

I am a lifelong Democrat. Unfortunately, I was duped into voting for Gillibrand, believing her pledge to serve her full Senate term. Her 180-degree flip illustrates exactly why people dislike politicians. They lie too often. Look at the current president.

If Gillibrand really wants to run for president, she should resign her Senate seat immediately and allow the governor to appoint someone who will not put personal goals ahead of the residents of New York.

These are tough times. The Trump administration’s tax law revisions will hurt too many New Yorkers, and we need two full-time senators in Washington when votes are being counted, not an absentee, self-serving senator.

If Gillibrand does persist in running, she will not get my vote — and I vote in primary elections.

Andrew J. Sparberg, Oceanside

Kirsten Gillibrand was emphatic in saying she was committed to serving her full 6-year term as a senator. Now she is running for president. These decisions are not made quickly, and I believe she lied just to win her election. This was fraud. If she wins, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo will choose her replacement. We will get a senator that New York did not vote for. All her time and effort for the next two years will be on her campaign, not serving New Yorkers. She should resign immediately. If she wins the presidency, New Yorkers get an appointee of the governor. If she loses, she keeps her job. That is a win-win for her, but New York loses either way.

Tim Gallagher, Seaford

Nassau GOP created the assessment mess

Richard Nicolello, leader of the Republican majority in the Nassau County Legislature, has it backward if he thinks his party is the voice of the people [“Nassau GOP is acting as voice of the people,” Letters, Jan. 16].

Where was that voice when Edward Mangano, as county executive, threw the whole system (not to mention the county’s finances) into disarray by freezing assessments, and then directing blanket settlements of grievances?

The Nassau GOP has been the least transparent group in our local government. Just ask the Nassau Interim Finance Authority. The GOP in general continually fails to adequately govern, but is highly critical (and often obstructionist) when the other side tries to govern. The people need and want cooperation from both sides, not continual criticism or obstruction from one side or the other.

Denis O’Driscoll, Westbury

Feeding gulls makes them aggressive

Nice picture of a retiree feeding the seagulls [“Where the gulls are,” News, Jan. 11].

Yet, it might not be a good idea. Seagulls are done a disservice by being fed human food, which can harm animals and interfere with their instincts to get food as nature intended. It also conditions birds to be aggressive by stalking humans instead of staying away from them.

Once at the beach, a seagull in flight swooped down from behind and snatched a sandwich as I was about to take a bite. I believe this was a result of humans interfering with nature.

Jim Brennan, Rocky Point

Unhappy about more money for schools

Great news: If there is anything our public schools need, it’s more money from me. At least it will come out of my left pocket, not my right [“Cuomo’s budget proposal: 2.03% boost for LI schools,” News, Jan. 16].

What will this money do except buy votes? Give each school a dome over their AstroTurf fields?

I honestly can’t think of anything else we can spend more money on for local schools. Wait, I got it, hire even more voters, I mean teachers and administrators. We would just have to expand each school to handle the influx. While we are at it, let’s fatten up their pensions.

Tommy Gregoretti, Oceanside

Resources for safe medication disposal

A reader expressed disappointment that his local pharmacy will not take back his unused medications for safe disposal [“How to best dispose of medications?,” Just Sayin’, Jan. 12].

He should know that all Suffolk County police precincts have safe drug-disposal containers in their lobbies, including the 5th Precinct, near the writer’s home. In addition, some ambulance companies sponsor medication-disposal events or can provide information on disposal sites.

There also are local coalitions dedicated to preventing substance abuse. Many host events where people can dispose of medications safely. Look at the website of the Long Island Prevention Resource Center (liprc.org) for a list of coalitions and contact information.

Lynette Murphy, Patchogue

Editor’s note: The writer is project coordinator of the COMPASS Unity Coalition, serving the South Country area in Suffolk County.