FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM OCTOBER 4, 2018 • THE QUEENS COURIER 35
letters & comments
With talk of Glendale getting its own ZIP code again in the news, we thought it would be the perfect time to break out this photo from 1979. Then-
Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro is pictured delivering boxes of ballots to Postmaster General William Bolger from residents who voted for the change
of postal zip code in the Ridgewood/Glendale area in June 1979. The area had a Brooklyn zip, which was changed to a Queens zip through the eff orts of
Ferraro, the Glendale Chamber of Commerce and the Glendale Kiwanis Club. Send us your historic photos of Queens by email to editorial@qns.com (subject:
A Look Back) or email printed pictures to A Look Back, Editorial Department, 38-15 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361. All mailed pictures will be carefully
returned to you.
Photo via Ridgewood Times archives
FREEDOM FROM WANT
& FREEDOM FROM FEAR
Th e news that immigrants who legally
access public benefi ts, such as food, housing
and medical assistance, could be
denied green cards will make it increasingly
difficult for many immigrants to
meet their basic needs, creating greater
demand for support from the nonprofit
sector.
Organizations that focus on immigration
and other social service and advocacy
groups are facing a double-bind:
increased demand for support by families
and communities facing discrimination
and deportation coupled with
changes to the system that make service
delivery harder.
The increased workload is due to
multiple factors, including that immigrants
already have a heightened fear
of being viewed as a public charge when
accessing necessary services such as
public assistance, Medicaid and food
stamps, for which they are eligible. The
proposed change only exacerbates this
fear.
This fear is the result of persistent
myths exaggerated in our country’s
current environment, such as immigrants
don’t pay taxes, or don’t work
hard and contribute to our economy,
when it has been proved this is not true.
Complicating factors have been revisions
to information required by the
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services, amplifying fears of immediate
deportation due to things like any
accidental errors in completing applications.
The current challenges are formidable:
nonprofits are doing the best
they can despite a national climate of
bias and discrimination against immigrants
and the groups that serve them.
We must use our voices to seek
change. This Nov. 6 is one opportunity,
when people can support candidates
who understand the needs and benefits
of our multicultural society — and not
just give lip service to secure votes.
Even simply starting a conversation
with friends and family — albeit difficult
ones — can springboard to broader
awareness of the issues surrounding
immigration, greater support for
nonprofits on the frontlines of serving
immigrants, and, most importantly,
a better life for immigrants seeking
a life in America free from discrimination
and fear.
Katie Leonberger, President and CEO
of Community Resource Exchange
TOO MORALLY CORRUPT
FOR THE COURT
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s response
to the question about what haunts her
most about her sexual assault wasn’t
the attack itself, but the laughter at her
expense.
Th e answer is chilling because it exemplifi
es a person who lacks a sense of
humanity, which is a despicable character
trait.
The Senate should never forget Dr.
Ford’s response when deciding on
Judge Kavanaugh’s lifetime appointment
to the Supreme Court. The
Senate’s decision should be not based
on the feelings of the judge and his
family, but on how his appointment
will affect the fate of this nation and the
families who will reside here for many
years to come.
Th is nation has many qualifi ed jurists,
so the Senate should pass on confi rming
such a contentious and divisive candidate
as Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
Glenn Hayes, Kew Gardens
REMEMBER MERRICK
GARLAND?
Brett Kavanaugh raged on and on
in righteous indignation until Illinois
Senator Dick Durbin asked him, “If you
really want to clear your name, ask the
FBI for a complete investigation.”
Th at remark stopped Kavanagh dead
in his tracks. He looked like a deer in the
headlights.
Why are Republicans making such a
big deal about withdrawing the nomination
of Brett Kavanagh for Supreme
Court justice? Th ey could just as easily
nominate another Republican.
Does the name Merrick Garland ring
a bell? Yes, the same Merrick Garland
that Obama nominated to replace Scalia.
Th e same Merrick Garland Republicans
refused to even hold a hearing on, leaving
the seat open for more than a year!
But now they want a vote on
Kavanaugh immediately.
Th ey want this man shaping the course
of our nation for decades to come. A
drunkard who allegedly took advantage
of teenage girls. A man who wouldn’t say
whether or not Roe vs. Wade was settled
law. A man who believes a sitting president
is basically immune to prosecution.
No wonder Drumpf chose him.
Robert LaRosa, Whitestone
O CAPTAIN, OUR CAPTAIN
Mets hero David Wright made his
farewell to Citi fi eld on Sept. 29. He was
a baseball player that was loved on and
off the fi eld by his team and other teams
as well. Let me also mention his fans like
myself gave him a tribute last night that
I don’t think he will soon forget.
Here was a baseball player that loved
America’s pastime and played his heart
out. He expected much from himself and
wanted his teammates to do the same.
David Wright will truly be missed and
we all wish him the best.
Let me tip my hat as David did on
Saturday Night and say, “Kudos, David,
you’ve done good!”
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.,
Glen Oaks Village
Email your letters to editorial@qns.com
(Subject: Letter to the Editor) or leave a
comment to any of our stories at QNS.
com. You can also send a letter by regular
mail to Letters to the Editor, 38-15
Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361. All letters
are subject to editing. Names will be withheld
upon request, but anonymous letters
will not be considered for publication.
Th e views expressed in all letters and
comments are not necessarily those of this
newspaper or its staff .
A LOOK BACK
link
link
