26 The QUEE NS Courier • may 8, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com editorial letters KUDOS TO ULRICH STAFF Open letter to Council Member Eric A. Ulrich I need to thank your staff for helping me resolve a problem. On Tuesday last week I called your office and spoke with Arlene Brown. I told her my problem and she asked me to come in the next day. I did, and Greg Mitchell was very helpful in doing what needed to be done to help me resolve my situation. Sal Simonetti was also gracious when I returned. Again, I need to thank those involved. Bernard Solow Ozone Park TEACHERS PACT A RETURN TO FAIR BARGAINING The new contract between the city and the United Federation of Teachers is a monumental achievement for all New Yorkers because it is a milestone of reconciliation between management and labor. People can argue the merits of its details, but what is indisputable is that the Bloomberg era of deliberate, almost sadistic impasse and union-busting has been rebuffed and replaced by a far more productive relationship built on common sense, enlightened analysis and mutual responsibility. The de Blasio administration, still in its infancy, rolled up its sleeves and together with a sound and honorable union got the job done in the public interest. Where there is goodwill, all things are possible. Ron Isaac Fresh Meadows THANK YOU FROM GRIEVING FAMILIES To the East Elmhurst/Corona and Greater Queens and NYC Community, On Friday, April 4, 2014, four young vibrant people were taken from us unexpectedly in a tragic car accident at Steinway Creek. We have searched our minds and hearts trying to find the right words to express our heartfelt gratitude. However, we will never find the right words … because words cannot describe the feeling we have for the unconditional love and support that was shown to us during our time of bereavement. We want to thank you and let you know that every gesture and all of your thoughts and prayers will forever live in our hearts. They have helped ease the pain and sorrow of our tragic loss. With Sincere Gratitude, The Families of Jaleel Feurtado, Darius Fletcher, Crystal Gravely and Jada Monique Butts PRAISE FOR THE FDNY Once again, our firefighters responded immediately to a major crisis, this being the F train derailment in Queens. Our firefighters are the best, and the passengers, for the most part, were evacuated by them in an orderly and calm manner. We owe a debt of gratitude to our firefighters, as well as to the passengers who helped to calm those who were more frightened during this ordeal. Fortunately, the 19 passengers who were injured did not have life-threatening injuries. We hope that they will make a speedy recovery. God bless our firefighters, as well as police and other emergency responders who were on the scene also. We have the best first responders in the entire country right here in New York City. They do great work to ensure the safety of the people of this city each and every day. John Amato Fresh Meadows, NY NO WAY TO TREAT A VETERAN A Bronx principal named Jennifer Joynt gave Iraq Marine veteran Christopher Moll, who is a special-education teacher at Throgs Neck middle school, an unsatisfactory rating. This is due to his absences over his National Guard service. She also said she would not be able to pay him for his time invested and he will have to use his sick days. Now as a fellow veteran I find this action by the principal most appalling. A veteran who has served in combat missions and is serving part time for the greater good of all Americans should by law be given special consideration. All this seems to be an effort by the principal to fire a veteran who wants to educate his students and to protect all Americans. Now that I feel is most despicable indeed and should be corrected. Frederick R. Bedell Jr. Glen Oaks IDENTIFY THIS PLACE Go to www.queenscourier.com and search “Identify This Place” to find out where this is MTA DESERVES PRAISE Wow, what are the odds? Another editorial praising the MTA. Hats off to the MTA for its rapid response to the F train derailment in Queens. (Kudos as well to the first responders: cops, firefighters, EMTs, transit workers and all the rest.) But we single out the MTA for its diligence in restoring service to a vital part of Queens’ transit system. As of this writing the root cause is yet to be determined, so there may still be opportunity to throw brickbats. But the speed with which the MTA got service back — in time for the Monday morning rush — deserves plaudits and we are happy to supply them. Well done. SAFE STREETS Slow Zones are at last being implemented in Queens — on the notoriously dangerous Queens and Northern boulevards. This paper has no argument with traffic running smoothly and without unnecessary delay — who does, really? But traffic speed and drivers’ convenience must necessarily take the slow lane as the city brings pedestrian safety to the fore. Cutting traffic speeds (and drivers’ expectations of zippy trips) is a small price to pay for increased safety to pedestrians — drivers’ safety, too, for that matter. The jury is still out on Vision Zero, Mayor de Blasio’s plan to eradicate traffic deaths. It’s been a tough go of late with several fatal accidents, but we are convinced of the value of the effort, starting with slowing down the traffic on two deadly streets. REMEMBER MOM On Mother’s Day, it’s important to recognize the incredible contributions made by mothers — not just to their children but to society in general. Mothers hold together our society, propagating new members and then rearing them with love and guidance. Let’s also remember all the people who fill the role of mother: aunts, sisters, grandmothers, friends and even fathers. Being someone’s mom is a truly special bond, but those who volunteer to fill the role deserve to be recognized as well. So for all the mothers out there, The Queens Courier sends love and blessings. WELCOME, ASTORIA FLEA It was a fantastic day Sunday at the opening of the Astoria Flea & Food at Kaufman Astoria Studios. Thousands of people came and had a wonderful time, browsing through the stalls and noshing at the food vendors. The Courier is convinced this amenity will bring more and more people into the neighborhood, thus increasing traffic and commerce at neighboring businesses. THE QUEENS Victoria Schneps-Yunis Joshua A. Schneps Bob Brennan William J. Gorta Amy Amato-Sanchez Nirmal Singh Graziella Zerilli Stephen Reina Ron Torina, Jennifer Decio, Cheryl Gallagher Liam La Guerre, Cristabelle Tumola Angy Altamirano, Katrina Medoff Cliff Kasden, Samantha Sohmer, Elizabeth Aloni Cristabelle Tumola Maria Romero Louise Cavaliere Celeste Alamin Maria Valencia Daphne Fortunate Victoria Schneps-Yunis Joshua A. Schneps Publisher & E ditor Co-Publisher Associate Publisher Editor-In-Chief VP, Events, Web & Social Media Art Director Assistant to Publisher Assistant Art Director Artists Staff Reporters Contributing Reporters Web Editor Events Manager Senior Acc ount Executive Classified Manager Controller Office Manager President & CEO Vice President Schneps Communications, 38-15 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361 718-224-5863 • Fax 718-224-5441 website: www.queenscourier.com e-mail:[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Entire Contents Copyright 2014 by The Queens Courier All letters sent to THE QUEENS COURIER should be brief and are subject to condensing. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, AS WELL AS OP-ED PIECES IN NO WAY REFLECT THE PAPER’S POSITION. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of THE QUEENS COURIER. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to THE QUEENS COURIER within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. Schneps Communications assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold The Quens Courier and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement.
QC05082014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above