Letters to the editor
CUTCHOGUE
Nice work, guys
Having been fishing our local waters my entire life, I was very happy to hear recently that the courts shot down the proposed New York State fishing license law.
I would like to congratulate the folks over in Southold Town Hall, particularly Supervisor Scott Russell and Trustee Bob Ghosio, for working very hard to have Southold Town participate in the lawsuit that ended the New York State DEC’s attempted bid to create saltwater fishing licenses.
I know they were instrumental along with officials from the other East End towns in putting together the lawsuit, which, had we lost, would have put an unfair tax on those of us who believe fishing in our seas is a right, not a privilege.
Congratulations on a job well done!
Robert Lehnert
ORIENT
A great grinchy trick
Each year the U.S. Marine Reserves place a “toys for tots” box in various locales. In Orient, it’s placed in the post office.
Each year it’s a reminder to me to think of the less fortunate. For the past several years I’ve been the first to place a toy in the box. This year I placed a collection of miniature cars and trucks in it. Much to my dismay, someone felt a need to remove that toy.
If you are a young person who removed that toy, just know that on Christmas morning some child will go wanting. May Santa Claus fill your stocking with much coal and switches.
If you are an adult, shame on you. But my anger has turned to compassion.
My name is displayed, contact me and I’ll buy you another toy, for that is what Christmas is all about.
Merry Christmas, Grinch.
Colin Stevens
AQUEBOGUE
Not just Republicans
Regarding the letter published Dec. 16 entitled “Backwards priorities,” writer Howard Meinke should remember that until Jan. 1, 2011, the Democrats still control the House, Senate and White House. Just as they pushed through health care reform without Republican support, they are capable of pushing through anything else they want without Republican support.
If Mr. Meinke feels that the Republicans are getting something they want, it has to be because the Democrats are allowing it.
Seems to me that there are some Democrats who paid attention to the elections in November and wish to keep their jobs in the future.
Robin Carr
MATTITUCK
Protecting marriage
America is waking up, and it’s about time.
For some time now, our fundamental basic natural values have been systematically undermined, ridiculed and attacked by radical, minority fringe groups.
As with the majority of Americans, we say, “Enough is enough!” We have finally drawn the line and our religious leaders have spoken out and are leading the charge.
The leaders of some of the largest religious communities in the United States have come together to express their commitment toward the protection of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. In a letter, “The Protection of Marriage,” these leaders affirmed “the importance of preserving marriage’s unique meaning and reinforcing the foundational cell of human society.”
Yes, America, enough is enough. Today is the moment to stand up for marriage, true values and their unchangeable meanings.
We the people have now drawn the line. Let the truth set us free.
Merry Christmas and to all a Happy New Year.
Jack McGreevy
GREENPORT
A great newspaper
I was just passing through the lobby of the Greenport school and picked up a copy of The Quill, Greenport High School’s newspaper.
Wow! Well written, insightful, timely and the most interesting news I’ve read in print in some time.
Kudos to the adviser, editors and reporters.
Karolyn Jenkins
ORIENT
Get numbers right
The Sept. 23 Suffolk Times article on school shrinking said the pupil cost average in the Oysterponds School was $16,457 when that is only the instructional cost. The real cost is closer to $31,000 per student. To arrive at this amount, one must divide the total budget by the number of students ($5.55 million by 180).
In the Oct. 21 issue The Suffolk Times said the Southold library expansion vote was turned down by 55 percent. That is almost a 10 percent error. The correct number is 60 percent. One arrives at this amount by dividing the total “no” votes, 582, by the total votes cast, 984, which results in the exact percentage of 59.1.
In passing, I would also like to mention that The Suffolk Times routinely reports salary increases per teacher union contracts in a misleading fashion. Although you correctly report the salary percentage increase, you fail to include the additional annual step increases, which can be as high as 3 percent more, for a total salary increase of about 7 percent per annum on most of the local teacher contracts.
For instance, the four-year Oysterponds teacher’s contract ending June 30, 2011, included an average increase of over 30 percent per teacher over the life of the contract.
I really find it most disappointing that a little weekly like The Suffolk Times cannot get its facts right. Your readers should be able to depend upon you for accuracy.
Walter Strohmeyer
member, Oysterponds school board
Editor’s note: Mr. Strohmeyer is correct in that The Suffolk Times misstated the library bond margin of defeat. But the error was 10 percentage points, not 10 percent.
ORIENT
What about women?
I very much enjoyed the article by Thomas DeWolfe in which he recommended a dozen detective fiction writers from different cultures.
Mr. DeWolfe went on to say “Although these authors are all men, there are also plenty of women who are outstanding in the international thriller field.”
I look forward to Mr. DeWolfe recommending a dozen such women writers.
Mary Dorman
