Michael Valva trial, repaving the LIE, pensions, and disfigured plates

Valva trial raises many questions

It is extremely difficult to read about the Michael Valva trial and the many horrific abuses that his children experienced [“Emotional trial testimony,” News, Oct. 18].

It is also difficult to understand how so many teachers, a psychologist and principal have testified about their awareness of the children’s abuses and hunger and notified Child Protective Services, and the bottom line is that nothing was done.

Whatever excuses anyone had for not demanding that these children be removed from their home were certainly not good enough. How much abuse does a child need to incur before someone in authority, or a government agency, does something meaningful to address these issues?

Those involved in this tragedy will have to wonder why they didn’t do more. I hope we will never have to hear any story about child abuse again, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

— H. Lloyd Miller, Jericho

So, let me try to understand this [“Tearful teachers tell of boys’ pain,” News, Oct. 14].

A school psychologist, a school nurse, teachers, people who came to the house, and Child Protective Services all witnessed or knew about the horrific abuses to Michael Valva’s children, and nothing was done?

Did anyone think to call 911? Especially when these kids were going into garbage for food and teachers needed to give them sweaters because they were so cold and emaciated? Visible bruises and injuries? Still, none of these people called 911?

— Rebecca Tochluk, Farmingdale

The article highlighting the advance warning to Suffolk County about the hacking of its data systems sadly mirrors the response to the tragic plight of Michael Valva’s children [“Suffolk alerted before major cyber attack,” News, Oct. 16].

We need to know if these events happened because it involved the wrong people, bureaucracy, leadership, a combination of all three, or more.

People seemed to know in advance about these problems but failed to act. Or if they acted, they failed to escalate the issue past a certain level.

We need an independent investigation about the county hack, and in the case of the Valva children, a criminal investigation is a must into why that situation was not escalated.

— Jim Rynne, Huntington

Claw back pensions from criminals

A reader says that all public service pensioners should be held to the same standard “Valva should keep pension if convicted,” Letters, Oct. 20]. I agree about that aspect.

I differ here: Any person receiving a taxpayer-funded pension who is found guilty of a crime should forfeit his pension and any other benefits.

In addition, public employees sitting in prison now should not be entitled, either. Claw back that money from them all. Criminals should not be publicly subsidized.

— Michele Brass, Bethpage

DOT should finish repaving the entire LIE

I pay taxes. I live in Riverhead. I was dismayed and disappointed that the Department of Transportation would announce that the repaving of the Long Island Expressway is about to be completed [“LIE repave in final stretch,” News, Oct. 17].

The last time I looked and drove on it, the expressway goes from the Queens border to Exit 73 in Riverhead.

Why does the DOT believe all vehicles using this road stop at Exit 64 in Patchogue? That stretch of road is still in bad shape and has never been fully repaved since its inception.

Many people live between Exits 64 and 73 and beyond. The traffic on the North and South forks has increased, especially after the pandemic.

Most people must know how bad it gets in the summer when people come from the city to cool off. This road is the most traveled on Long Island.

I believe the DOT has the money now, so they should repave the entire highway.

When will they come to their senses and realize that we the people are tired of these quick fixes that, in the end, don’t work? Complete the entire expressway now.

— Carolyn Newson, Riverhead

Catch drivers who disfigure their plates

Anything that will help enforce all our traffic laws is an excellent idea [“Additional funds for plate readers,” News, Oct. 20]. How about making that idea much more effective using funds to help find and ticket drivers who either disfigure and/or cover their license plates to avoid reading by electronic devices?

While driving, I see many owners of cars and light trucks have done this to help avoid detection by these devices.

— Peter Rogers, Miller Place