Student sex abuse, housing, bus camera tickets, Tom Selleck's ranch

Make predators pay for their offenses

This school abuse situation is abominable on so many levels [“LI districts facing strain from settlements,” News, May 5].

First and foremost, students who were victimized by predators may never recover from the horrendous abuse they suffered at the hands of these supposed educators.

Now, current students may lose educational opportunities because school districts must compensate the victims. As a retired school administrator and former assistant district attorney, I have some experience in dealing with a few of the complex legal and educational aspects of this situation.

I would love to see school districts, school attorneys and insurance carriers work together to seek restitution from these offenders. School districts employ talented and creative school attorneys who frequently work with insurance companies on school legal and financial issues.

It is outrageous that educators who abused children collect pensions while their victims seek some sort of belated accountability.

— Chris Marzuk, Greenlawn

Housing plan a boon for the disabled

The Melville Town Center initiative is crucial for our Half Hollow Hills community, especially as the community of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities continues to grow [“Melville housing proposal a boon for LI,” Opinion, April 29].

The Half Hollow Hills School District statistics speak volumes — 1,613 students with disabilities registered in the 2022-23 school year, accounting for 22% of the students. This marks a significant increase from 2013, when it was 16%. The number of district students with disabilities has almost doubled since 2003.

These statistics underscore the increasing need for inclusive housing solutions and community support for individuals with disabilities.

The Melville initiative, with its focus on accessibility, integrated living and community cohesion, aptly addresses these needs. It holds promise for students who wish to remain in their familiar surroundings, close to their supportive families.

The initiative’s ability to attract private investments and create job opportunities contribute to the well-being of individuals with disabilities and bolster the community’s economic vitality.

Actively involving the disability community in the planning of these projects can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals of all abilities not only at Half Hollow Hills but across Long Island.

— Pilar Moya-Mancera, Dix Hills

The writer is a parent in the Half Hollow Hills school district.

I came to suburbia, but it’s leaving me

I have been a West Hempstead resident for about 40 years, relocating to Nassau County from the city in the hope of escaping all the things that people don’t enjoy in a big city. We wanted suburbia, with nice houses and good communities. We wanted to set down roots.

Now, because of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s goals, we have apartment housing complexes being built around us, basically turning it into something we tried to escape from [“Gov scores budget battle wins,” News, April 28]. Hochul is bringing the city lifestyle to suburbia.

I imagine many people on Long Island were city dwellers at some point and wanted the Long Island suburban life, too. If my life in “suburbia” is over, it’s time to get out.

— Len Goldberg, West Hempstead

Got a bus ticket? Be glad that’s all it was

As a former school bus driver in the Farmingdale School District, I could write a book about the horrors and close calls I have witnessed “Two difference views of bus camera issue,” Letters, May 7].

To those complaining about receiving a $250 fine for passing a stopped school bus, perhaps they should be thankful that is all it cost and that their actions did not cost a student’s life.

They can make excuses and ask, “Why me?” but until they are behind a school bus steering wheel and see what it’s like picking up and dropping off students, they have no idea of the dangers that careless drivers cause.

So, perhaps along with the fines, those drivers should be mandated to ride on a school bus route for a day or two and see the situation from that perspective.

— Grace Palm, North Massapequa

Perhaps he needs his own reverse mortgage

How sad that Tom Selleck said that if CBS doesn’t continue his TV show he may lose his 63-acre California ranch “Selleck hoping CBS renews ‘Blue Bloods,’ ” flash!, May 8].

My heart bleeds for him. Maybe he should take out a reverse mortgage on it, like the one he promotes on commercials that may lead to some people losing their own homes.

— Ed O’Donnell, Seaford