Just Sayin': Don't yell at me! I'm helping you vote

Don’t yell at me! I’m helping you vote

I worked as a Republican poll coordinator at Woodland Elementary School in Hicksville for the Feb. 13 special election. As part of a bipartisan team of poll coordinators, I want people to know what happens on Election Day.

I was born with a hearing impairment and now wear a hearing aid. Most of my colleagues are also seniors and try hard to accommodate everyone who arrives to ensure that their votes are counted correctly. It is degrading and hurtful, though, to have them scream at us if we politely ask for them to repeat themselves.

Our day is long — 16 hours at best. We normally have a shortage of inspectors, and we all work together to cover for absent workers.

Tuesday’s snowfall prompted voters to yell at us for not doing a good enough job with snow removal at our school. That is not one of our responsibilities. We have our hands full just trying to get through a tiresome, hectic day.

I express gratitude to the small number who thank us for helping them get their voices heard. But for those who criticize and belittle us, shame on you!

— Eva G. Heilig, Hicksville

Fax? My docs should have portal access

As I reach “geezer” age, like many of my peers, I see a lot of doctors. It appears that most of the physicians are associated with one of the large health management organizations. Many have patient portals, which greatly improve patient-doctor communications.

So why do these organizations and physicians have to communicate my medical information to each other by fax?

Shouldn’t there be some kind of information clearinghouse for all these professionals to electronically communicate with each other — with the patients’ permission, of course — and allow patients and their physicians to access all that information?

— Patrick Cusack, Farmingdale

What happened to bagging my groceries?

Before the pandemic hit, when we checked out at a grocery cashier’s register, the cashier or an assistant would bag our items.

Understandably, during the pandemic and following years, employees were advised not to handle patrons’ personal shopping bags to possibly prevent the spread of COVID-19. We now know this was unnecessary.

But here’s my question for today: Why do customers, especially seniors, still have to bag their own groceries in some supermarkets? Customer service at these stores has hit an all-time low.

As a senior, I truly appreciate it when cashiers at least “offer” to bag my groceries. I hope these stores bring back the service to which we had been accustomed for so long.

— Nancy Degruchy, East Meadow

Do politicians drive on our crumbling roads?

Many Long Island roads seem to be crumbling. Driving on Route 110 between Sunrise Highway and Merrick Road is like driving on the moon. And give a dishonorable mention to the northbound Hubbards Path, Exit 39, underpass on Sunrise Highway.

These roads and others like them make a ride in the finest luxury car seem like riding in an old pickup truck with no shock absorbers.

Isn’t anybody paying attention? Long Island is supposedly an upscale area, and not only are these conditions disgraceful, but considering our taxes, they’re unconscionable.

Don’t any of our local politicians drive on these roads?

— Joe Cesare, Copiague