WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES OCTOBER 10, 2019 43
OCTOBER IS
BREAST CANCER
AWARENESS MONTH
October is Breast Cancer Awareness
Month and it is a reminder for
all of us to do something.Throughout
the month of October, women are
encouraged to make mammography
appointments.
Also, remember that in rare cases
men can also come down with breast
cancer. Some may wonder why a man
is writing a letter about breast cancer
which is more common in women, but
it aff ects us all — the ones we love,
including our mothers, sisters, aunts,
wives, or life companions may be affected
by this insidious disease.
We are their caregivers and try to
care for the ones we love.
Eva, my wife of 32 years, goes oft en
for the test and it scares her because
breast cancer runs in her family and
she has had friends who have had this
disease — some of whom have passed
away because of it. Yet each time she
goes for the test, I’m afraid to hear
the worst and maybe lose the most
important person in my life.
But we must remember that early
detection is extremely important. I
know that for a fact because I had
come down with prostate cancer, but
due to early detection and an aggressive
surgery, I am in remission four
years later.
Now, with new treatment options,
mammography screenings do improve
a woman’s chance of survival.
Many years ago I had an aunt who
had breast cancer in the 1960’s and
had passed away at age 62. But more
can be done today and the cure rate
is much better today.
We all need to get involved and do
what we can to fi ght this insidious disease,
like donating to the American
Cancer Society, which helps women
cope with this disease.
A lot of organizations are out there
that can also help and there are also
various runs, walks and other fundraisers
that help. So please volunteer
and help end this disease that has
aff ected so many women and their
families.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr., Glen Oaks
Village
METS’ LOSS IS NEWS
LISTENERS’ GAIN
The Mets fi red manager Mickey
Callaway aft er two seasons because
his team failed to win a wild card spot
in the playoff s.
As a Mets fan since 1964, I was
thrilled when they won the 1969 &
1986 World Series. I’m delighted that
rookie Pete Alonso set a new MLB
home run record this season.
But I’m glad that the Mets didn’t
make it to 2019’s postseason because
my favorite radio station, WCBS-AM,
can now return to its regular allnews
format.
Under new ownership by Entercom,
880 this year began airing play-play
broadcasts of all Mets games, including
spring training contests. This
annoyed many listeners like me, who
want the latest news when we tune
in.
Why air games on radio when Mets
fans can see them on TV, computers
or phones. Radio play-by-play broadcasts
are as outdated as rotary dial
phones and black & white TV.
Richard Reif, Kew Gardens Hills
QUESTIONS
SURROUND
BELMONT’S NEW
LIRR STATION
On Sept. 25, funding to pay for the
new $105 million Long Island Rail
Road Elmont Station for the Islanders
Belmont Park Arena was offi cially
amended into the existing Metropolitan
Transportation Authority’s
ongoing $33 billion 20150 - 2019 Five
Year Capital Plan.
The source of funding comes
from the Empire State Development
Corporation transferring $105 million
from their budget to the MTA,
which will pay for the new Elmont
LIRR Station.
Board members rubber stamped
this action by voting in favor with
no discussion. They were unaware
and couldn’t care about two ongoing
lawsuits against the Islanders
Belmont Arena
It is interesting that Gov. Andrew
Cuomo has manipulated the MTA
funding process using one state
agency budget to help another fund
a project — he is robbing Peter to pay
Paul.
At the end of the day, it is all the taxpayers’
money. The developers are
putting in $30 million up front and
the state $75 million. The developers
will then make payments, without
interest, to reimburse the state over
the next 30 years. The developer ends
up with an interest free loan.
Could a small business person
get the same sweetheart deal? They
would have to go to a bank and pay
interest charges for a similar loan.
The next step would be for the Albany
based MTA four person MTA
Capital Program Review Board to
also adopt this amendment.
Completion of these actions will legally
allow the LIRR to proceed with
construction of the new Elmont LIRR
Station now rather than wait for the
adoption of the new $51 billion 2020
- 2024 Five Year Capital Plan by end
of December.
With 25 months left before the
scheduled opening of the new arena,
it will remain a challenge for the LIRR
to complete various capital improvements
— including the eastbound
platform (serving the Hempstead
branch) for the new Elmont Station —
in time to coincide with the promised
fall 2021 opening.
It will also be interesting if we
can learn about the internal LIRR
schedule on behalf of the ESDC
for advancement of design and
engineering, procurement process,
award of construction contract,
followed by a notice to proceed
and a detailed project construction
schedule with interim progress
milestones to validate the promised
completion of the new Elmont Station
and other related transportation
improvements.
Larry Penner, Great Neck
LETTERS AND COMMENTS
SNAPS
MYRTLE/WYCKOFF STATION PLATFORM VIEWS
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