36 THE COURIER SUN • october 2, 2014 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.COURIERSUN.COM editorial letters PARENTS MUST GET INVOLVED IN SCHOOLS Public school parents are right to complain about their sky-high, out-of-pocket costs for mandated supplies for their children. Private schools have always gotten away with a “We can charge whatever we want... take it or leave it” attitude, but governmentrun schools were until recently almost completely free, except for nominal items like notebooks and pencils. The Department of Education is rich with cash but poor on priorities. The teachers union contract, which some blame for all humanity’s problems, proves once again to be the parents’ friend. It requires schools to provide basic supplies and materials. This extends in spirit to children’s needs. Principals have almost total control over their schools’ budgets. But parents have more influence than they realize. Rights that are not exercised in effect do not exist. Parents must get involved in the operation of their children’s schools. Not just when the principal doesn’t mind but whenever they have a right to be. Such activism is their duty and it will help prioritize resources fairly and keep the cookie jar handlers honest. Ron Isaac Fresh Meadows DEREK JETER A WINNER ON AND OFF THE FIELD Derek Jeter has just said his final farewell and has gone out a winner. He leaves with five World Series rings and at sixth place on the all-time hits list. He was a player true to the game of baseball but better than that, he truly was Mr. Clean. He was an all-around guy on and off the field. He had a work ethic that drove him to play hard, do his best and to treat all people with respect. The Yankees really struck gold when they hired Derek Jeter to play for them and I think it was the best decision they ever made. In my opinion he conducted himself well and didn’t disrespect America’s pastime by doing things that would tarnish the game as others have done. He is, was and forever will be a true role model for future generations to look up to. I think even our own politicians can learn a lesson or two from Jeter and do the right thing as Jeter has done. Now as for Derek Jeter let me say, “Derek Jeter, you’ve done good!” Frederick R. Bedell Jr. Glen Oaks R.I.P. JOHN SLATTERY The sudden passing of CBS television reporter John Slattery is indeed a loss for all of us. In his 30 years of reporting, he always exemplified such professionalism and respect in his job. He always was right to the point and always got the answers he was seeking. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Suzie, his children, grandchildren, friends and colleagues at CBS TV. He will be truly missed. John Amato Fresh Meadows A GREAT TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE The recent New York City Transit Museum’s antique bus display as part of the annual Atlantic Antic festival held on Sept. 28 was a great trip down memory lane. It was a time when bus drivers had to make change and drive, at the same time. No one dared bring any food on the bus or leave any litter behind. In the mid-1960s, air-conditioned buses were just becoming a more common part of the fleet. You had to pay separate fares to ride either the bus or subway. There were no Metro Cards affording free transfers between bus and subway along with discounted weekly or monthly fares. Employee transit checks to help cover the costs didn’t exist. Fast forward to today, and you can see how MTA public transportation is still one of the best bargains in town. Larry Penner Great Neck sun WWW.COURIERSUN.COM 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, Eric Jankiewicz, Salvatore Licata Cliff Kasden, Samantha Sohmer, Elizabeth Aloni Cristabelle Tumola Demetra Plagakis Warren Susman 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 Sales fax: 718-631-3498 website: www.couriersun.com e-mail:[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Entire Contents Copyright 2014 by The Courier Sun All letters sent to THE CO URIER SUN 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. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of THE CO URIER SUN. 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 CO URIER SUN within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. VIctoria Media Services 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 Courier SUN 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. IDENTIFY THIS PLACE Go to www.queenscourier.com and search “Identify This Place” to find out where this is HOLE IN ONE We’ve been blunt with some of our criticism of the Parks Department — and we retract none of it — but when they do something right, we are honor-bound and happy to acknowledge that as well. The sinkhole in the shadow of the Forest Park golf course was threatening to become the world’s largest 19th hole. But after The Courier broke the story, the Parks Department swung into action. The sidewalk adjoining the sinkhole is closed and fenced off, and a contractor has been engaged to fill in the divot. Well done, Parks, and thank you. UP WITH QUEENS We were heartened by a recent story by our real estate reporter Liam La Guerre, which detailed an increase in home prices in the borough. While affordability is an issue, it’s important that property values are nurtured if this borough is to continue its economic boom. A home is usually a family’s single largest investment, and it’s important that consumer confidence in Queens remains high. Rising prices usually indicate high demand coupled with low turnover. That means more people want to live here and more people want to stay here. While we hope prices do not spiral out of control, we’re pleased that Queens is being recognized as an increasingly desirable place to live. ALL ABOARD We opined last week about increasing transportation options for the borough. We’re delighted to report another. The MTA has included money in its capital budget to rebuild and reopen the Elmhurst station on the Port Washington branch. It’s a little step, but a big step, too. It means that the agency is willing to reconsider its decisions and reverse them where necessary. A good thing. And it means that Elmhurst is growing bigger, stronger and more important — important enough to merit its own stop on the railroad. Great news — and we hope for more. RESTAURANT WEEK One of the biggest events in the borough, Queens Restaurant Week, kicks off on Oct. 13. We’re excited to be a sponsor of this magnificent event, which will include nearly 150 restaurants offering discounted lunches and dinners. It’s a great way to taste the myriad cuisines of our diverse borough while learning about other cultures and neighborhoods and supporting local businesses.
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