Letters To The Editor

Letters from readers are invited. All letters, including ones sent via email, must be accompanied by the writer's full name and address, which will be withheld upon request. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. All letters are subject to editing.

Grinches in government

Dear Editor:

As a small business owner, I have long recognized that I could not spend more than what I make or take in. Clearly, I understand during hard times the need to tighten my belt and reduce spending. Unfortunately, government does not seem to recognize this simple fact.

Now is the time for our government to understand a simple basic economic truth: that we cannot spend more than we have. Governor Paterson is trying to avoid the inevitable; the need to reduce a bloated government whose spending has long been out of control. The Governor and his cohorts in the Legislature are deciding whether to tax clothing, cable TV, wine, or perhaps air or any of the other tax he can fathom. Rest assured you will see these increases while failed programs continue to prosper and keep their funding.

Furthermore, Paterson has a partner in NYC Billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who yet again overtaxes and overburdens the working families, middle-class home owners and small business owners.

During times of prosperity, government grew and grew and grew to the point where we, the taxpayers, have outstripped our ability to pay. Our nation's legislators must step up to the plate and urge fiscal restraint, reduction of spending and the elimination of failed programs. As a nation, we must take a common sense business approach to government and finance. With the devastation on Wall Street, tax revenues will continue to plummet. The answer is not to increase taxes, but to reduce government waste and misspending

If government doesn't recognize this, the one sure goal that they will accomplish is the elimination of the middle class with the creation of a society with the rich and the poor and nothing in-between. The Mike Bloombergs and his fellow billionaire buddies can never comprehend this, so while he taxes, we suffer.

Government no longer represents the interests of the people, and that is the biggest shame of all.

Nick Comaianni

Editor's note: The writer is a member of Community Education Council 24.

Hot over board's tower vote

Dear Editor,

I am angered by the final outcome that the Board of Standards and Appeals handed down to the people of Maspeth (Citywide Board Gives Green Light To Maspeth Cell Tower, Times Newsweekly, Dec. 18, Pg. 3).

It's a deliberate act of disrespect to the residents of 72nd Place and at the same time opens the door to other cellular companies who will try to secure other sites for these ugly monstrosities throughout our neighborhoods.

Several months ago, Assemblywoman Marge Markey, representatives of several other elected officials who did not attend, and a large group of Maspeth people attended a hearing regarding this project. One by one, each person gave reasons why this cell phone tower should not be erected in this quiet residential area. These people presented valid and knowledgeable objections but their opinions had little or nothing to do with the board's final decision.

I and another member of COMET Civic (Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together), who live in Elmhurst, attended that meeting and were proud to align ourselves with our Maspeth neighbors. We must all stand together and fight for our communities. We live here and pay taxes here and know more about our neighborhoods than the BSA.

Still, they ignored the residents' pleas of not granting the construction of this tower, and opted in favor of Omnipoint. What a disgrace ... the BSA should hang their heads in shame!

A special "thanks" to Marge Markey for her super support. Maspeth is very lucky to have her representing them.

Laraine Donohue

Editor's note: The writer is a member of Queens Community Board 4, COMET, the Newtown Civic Association and the 110th Precinct Community Council.  

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