Municipal permits, children in poverty on LI

Multiple permits to build not necessary

Local municipalities are out of control, attempting to fill their coffers with building-permit funds as they try to meet cost demands without raising taxes [“Battle to build school fence takes new turn,” News, May 18].

Municipal employees are empowered with imposing “rules” on us. Permits are required for everything. Even demolition permits are required for items removed after construction has been completed with construction permits.

In this North Side School case, a simple project, is it necessary for review by a major agency, say the state Education Department, and then to be reviewed again by a municipality that may not have the expertise and must hire someone with expertise?

We don’t need our government to protect us by costing us more. Finally, judges in the court system agree.

— Michael Kosinski, East Hills

How sad. As a graduate of both North Side School in East Williston and The Wheatley School in Old Westbury, I think that a better alternative to putting the students in a pen would be to build a large bunker and hold classes inside of it.

That way, we would know for certain exactly where the students are, and only a few armed guards would be required to ensure their complete safety.

As a civilian responder after the attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11, I understand the concerns of the students’ parents. But why go halfway? A bunker is the obvious answer.

— John Poulos, Freeport

Federal poverty level needs to be raised

The fact that nearly half of New York children living in “deep poverty” with household incomes 50% below the federal poverty line becomes even more troubling when you realize that the federal poverty level for 2024 is only $20,440 for a family of two and $31,200 for a family of four [“About 1 in 5 NY kids in poverty,” News, May 18].

How many of us could survive with that level of income? It is time for the federal poverty level to be raised.

— Karen Osterman, Port Washington