WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES AUGUST 17, 2017 13
TRUMP’S
TOO AFRAID
OF RACISTS,
READER SAYS
Hundreds of alt-right activists,
neo-Nazis and white nationalist
extremists descended on the small
community of Charlottesville, Va.,
last Saturday in what may have been
the largest hate-gathering of its kind
in decades in the United States. One
neo-Nazi plowed his car into a crowd of
counter-protesters, killing one woman
and seriously injuring many others,
fi ve critically. That day, Republicans
and Democrats alike called it what
it was: domestic terrorism by white
supremacists. Everyone agreed that
the blame belonged to the anti-Semitic,
racist, neo-Nazis. Everyone except
Trump.
The mayor of Charlottesville, Mike
Signer, said it best: “I’m not going to
make any bones about it. I place the
blame for a lot of what you’re seeing
in America today at the doorstep of the
White House and the people around
this president.”
What we have is a president who is
wholly unsuited to hold the position. A
president that is afraid to lose the support
of neo-Nazis and racists. A president
that, prior to the election, was
despised by countless GOP offi cials
who now praise his every disgraceful
action. The words “President Trump”
are equally terrifying and sickening.
Robert LaRosa, Whitestone
Editor’s note: President Trump did
condemn white supremacists, the KKK
and neo-Nazis in an Aug.
14 speech, two days aft er the
Charlottesville incident.
PUT AN END
TO THE THREAT
OF NUCLEAR
WAR
The hateful rhetoric between the
leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-Un
and President Donald Trump has
many worried around the world and
that includes myself. Nuclear war
is not the answer to solve problems
between nations, for there can be no
winners.
The U.S. needs a strong stand
against a military dictatorship that
cares little for human life and that
President Trump has done. Trump
should have, though, follow the advice
that Teddy Roosevelt had once
given: “Speak soft ly and carry a big
stick.”
Common sense must prevail. It is
time for both nations to realize what
is at stake and make an attempt to negotiate
a peace before things get out of
hand and millions lose their lives. As
President John F. Kennedy once had
said, “Mankind must put an end to war
before war puts an end to mankind.”
Now that is a most poignant statement
of truth.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.,
Glen Oaks Village
LANDLORDTENANT
DISPUTES
MUST MOVE
FASTER
Regarding the new city law guaranteeing
lawyers for low-income tenants
in disputes with their landlord: While
it’s a step in a right direction, it’s a
small step. The entire city and state
administration of tenant/landlord
cases needs to be drastically changed.
It’s still the landlords who have a very
signifi cant upper hand, and the backlog
of cases is horrifi c.
Tenants could wait years to have
their cases plod through the state
Division of Housing and Community
Renewal (DHCR). It’s a major travesty
of justice and a gross abuse of the
system.
QNS member Steven Katz
OP-ED
A ‘Night Out’ that brings us together
BY CITY COUNCILMAN
RORY LANCMAN
Of the many impactful experiences
that come with public
service, one of the most
meaningful for me has been the
opportunity to get to know and work
with our local police commanders
and offi cers.
These men and women keep our
neighborhoods safe and secure.
They help solve problems and combat
crimes. Their dedication to the communities
they serve is second to none.
However, the challenge of public
safety is not solely the responsibility
of the police. It is a responsibility that
our whole community shares. We all
have a role to play, and we must work
with police offi cers for our collective
safety and well-being.
It is that understanding that
makes the NYPD’s National Night
Out Against Crime such an special
event every year. On the fi rst Tuesday
in August, every precinct across
the city hosts a block party in their
neighborhood, complete with entertainment,
games, music and plenty
of good food. It’s a night for families,
businesses, civic organizations and
many others to join together with law
enforcement to highlight our shared
commitment to combating crime.
While a good time is had by all who
attend a National Night Out event,
there is a larger purpose beyond just
fun and games.
At National Night Out, community
members and police offi cers have
the chance to interact, communicate
and meet each other. The block party
atmosphere allows real relationships
to develop: the public gets to know the
men and women behind the uniform,
in the same manner that I have, as
committed and caring public servants.
And the offi cers can learn more about
the neighborhood and personally know
residents.
All of this is done to foster a true
sense of community and togetherness.
The impact of these conversations
and interactions is signifi cant. Not only
do they help to break down barriers
between police and the communities
they serve, but they help build the trust
that keeps neighborhoods safe. Trust is
key to sharing information, asking for
assistance, and working collaboratively.
Law enforcement and the public are
partners in fi ghting crime, but that
partnership can only be eff ective if
there is trust on both sides. There is
plenty of work to be done, but National
Night Out is a useful way to create a
positive environment.
There is nothing more important
than the safety of our communities.
All of us are grateful to offi cers who
put their lives on the line every day. As
we continue to combat crime, we must
remember the feeling of unity that
comes from National Night Out: we are
all in this together.
City Councilman Lancman represents
the 24th Council District, which
includes Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok,
Electchester, Fresh Meadows, Hillcrest,
Jamaica Estates, Briarwood, Parkway
Village, Jamaica Hills and Jamaica.
LETTERS AND COMMENTS
A LOOK BACK
This Th
classic photo from the
Ridgewood Times archives
shows the 1976 Oktoberfest
parade along Myrtle Avenue in
Ridgewood. The beer and food
festival with the German fl air
was held for many years by the
Greater Ridgewood Historical
Society as a fundraiser to
restore the Onderdonk House,
the colonial Dutch farmhouse on
Flushing Avenue that is now a
landmark. Send us your historic
photos of Queens by email to
editorial@qns.com (subject:
A Look Back) or mail printed
pictures to A Look Back, ℅
The Queens Courier, 38-15 Bell
Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361. All
mailed pictures will be carefully
returned to you.
