Newsday letters to the editor Friday, May 12, 2017

The risks of ignoring climate change

Comments from various groups on the Long Island Power Authority’s review of current and future power needs show — yet again — the struggle between fossil fuels and green energy [“LIPA review: Don’t overhaul aging plants,” News, April 23].

Climate change is the elephant in the room.

Let’s imagine what happens to Long Island if we don’t move fast to stop burning fossil fuels: loss of real property and shorelines to rising sea levels, acidification of the oceans and loss of fisheries and wildlife, droughts of fresh water, costs of building of sea walls and flood protection systems — and that’s just locally.

Imagine the national costs of human migration and wars caused by droughts, floods and famines in poor countries. It’s already happening.

I call on Long Islanders to think long-term and to prioritize the welfare of the next generations. Costs of offshore wind are coming down. Get on board with the vision of LIPA and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to lead New York into a clean energy future.

Our pocketbooks of today can handle the short-term costs of going green, but unless we do so now, our children and grandchildren will bear the devastating long-term costs of climate change.

Carol Garbarino, Sea Cliff

Teachers should be accountable

I find it incredible that Long Island teachers so vehemently oppose having standardized tests used as a measure in evaluating their performance [“Math test shows no opt-out letup,” News, May 5].

Who should be held responsible for what our children learn, their Little League coaches? We pay some of highest school taxes in the nation to see that the teachers are among the highest paid. Why shouldn’t we demand that our children receive the best education? And if they’re not getting it, why shouldn’t standardized testing assist in determining the cause?

Our politicians’ silence is deafening for fear of losing union support and money to further their aspirations. Opting out may be in the best interest of the teachers, but certainly not in the interest of our children!

Vincent Pirrone, Atlantic Beach

Don’t confuse charter schools and vouchers

There continues to be an unfortunate tendency to lump together charter schools and school vouchers, as evidenced by the recent op-ed by California State University professor Julian Vasquez Heilig [“Empty promises of school vouchers,” Opinion, May 1].

Many charter schools are public schools that have arisen in areas where the other public schools are failing, and parents have clamored for them. They are free and do not require vouchers. They are not religion-based. They are not taking money from public schools — because they ARE public schools.

In most cases, the students are not “cherry-picked”; they gain admission via lotteries. These schools do require dedication and, often, long hours on the part of the students, parents and teachers. Yet they continue to be opposed by teachers unions and many Democratic politicians.

Even Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), whom I generally admire, failed to support expanding public charter schools in her area. I was fortunate a couple of years ago to attend a charter school event in Harlem. The elementary-level youngsters were introduced by the year of their future college graduation. What a positive message!

Diana Clingan,Mineola

Tony nominations snub is a big letdown

I’m disappointed that the American Theatre Wing, which presents the Tony Awards each year, ignored “A Bronx Tale,” one of the finest current Broadway creations [“Nominations for the Tonys,” News, May 3]. Composer Alan Menken’s music is wonderful, and the show’s attention to the details of the original story are noteworthy. The sets, cast and entire presentation are superb.

As someone who has been immersed in music all my life — as a performer, teacher, musical director and proud graduate of the High School of Music & Art (now the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts) — I wonder what criteria are used for Tony nominations. Whatever those criteria are, they should be re-examined. This is an incredible oversight.

June Zeger, East Meadow