Newsday letters to the editor for Monday, Sept. 4, 2017

To save walkers, give vehicles right of way

When a car and a pedestrian collide, who wins? Not the pedestrian. Reading “Family’s 3rd tragedy” [News, Aug. 15], I thought about the fact that our New York State traffic laws say that pedestrians have the right of way.

They might be walking in front of a drunken driver or one high on heroin, or who knows what else?

The law needs to be changed to protect pedestrians and rescind their right of way. I have jammed on my brakes plenty of times to avoid these trusting walkers.

Greg M. Gusew, Lake Ronkonkoma

State ed chief will rule on middle-school move

I’m writing in response to “School superintendent created tension” [Letters, Aug. 28].

I, too, am a resident of Massapequa. I have two children in third grade and one child in first grade.

What evidence is there that the stay issued by the state commissioner of education — allowing sixth-graders to attend the Berner Middle School — was a result of actions taken by district Superintendent Lucille Iconis? I suspect there is none. Rather, I believe the commissioner came to her conclusion based on the appeal filed by community members.

Our exceptional superintendent has been transparent and operating with concern for educational excellence for Massapequa students. Many in our community believe her actions will advance the education of our children.

The plan to move sixth-grade students to the middle school was presented some 18 months ago, when Iconis had the majority support of the school board. Now she does not. However, May’s school board election, which changed the majority of the board’s support for the move, was in no way a mandate.

It’s my opinion that we cannot come to a consensus with the tools we have available at the district level. Therefore, I’m relieved that the commissioner stepped in with the stay and will ultimately rule on the multiple appeals filed both for and against the reconfiguration.

Regina Rodriguez, Massapequa Park

Transgender ban is discriminatory

In his raucous campaign rally-style speech in Phoenix, President Donald Trump said he “loves everyone” [“Trump: I called for unity, love,” News, Aug. 23].

Apparently transgender people aren’t among them; nor are members of several other minority groups. Barring transgender people from the military is not only blatantly discriminatory but also callous and unpatriotic. Transgender soldiers risk their lives every day to protect us all and our fragile democracy.

I believe Trump’s actions put them more at risk of hate crimes, because they’ve been erroneously accused of being a burden to our military. This is not only harmful to the LGBT community, but to the American creed that we are all created equal.

Carolyn Mandelino, Massapequa