Letters to the Editor: Lynbrook/East Rockaway

Don’t slam Dan

To the Editor:

 Mayor Bruno Romano’s letter to the editor, “Positive growth in the village,” in last week’s Herald demonstrates how woefully out of touch he and his political class are with not just the residents of East Rockaway, but with the economic and social crises facing all Long Islanders

Dan Caracciolo is East Rockaway’s biggest and best advocate. He is an asset to every business that opens, every home that rises, and every person who needs a hand. Dan is an active member of the East Rockaway Alumni Association and numerous community groups, and is the first person on social media to announce a grand opening or drum up business for a struggling local spot. 

Just because Dan isn’t putting his own face in the paper for every possible ribbon cutting photo opportunity doesn’t mean he’s not working behind the scenes to improve the local economy, keep school children safe and bring attention to the many significant needs of a community still recovering from Hurricane Sandy. 

Groups have honored Dan for his volunteer work across Long Island, including the East Rockaway Kiwanis Club. He was also named the Herald’s ‘Person of the Year’ for 2013. He has selflessly and tirelessly spent time polling residents about their needs and their vision for the community, and has advanced an exciting vision for the village, including an attempt to secure millions in grant money from the state. 

Whether you agree with Dan’s vision or not, you cannot object to his positive attitude, his heartfelt concern for his fellow residents, and the intellect and passion with which he approaches everything he does. In short, Dan Caracciolo is the closest thing to a real mayor that East Rockaway has seen in many, many years. 
Slamming Dan is simply unbecoming — even for a politician.

Elizabeth M. Daitz
Former East Rockaway resident

Comparing Kaminsky’s words and deeds

To the Editor:

State Sen. Todd Kaminsky’s op-ed, “We need to limit campaign contributions — now” (June-16-22), was breathtaking in both its duplicity and hubris. Kaminsky’s central premise was that the campaign contribution limit for limited liability companies is a “superbug that must be stopped” because it poses an “exigent threat to our democracy.”

Notwithstanding Kaminsky’s righteous prose, the Albany Times Union reported that a “publicly untraceable” $50,000 contribution from a Delaware LLC was funneled through the Nassau County Democratic Committee to Kaminsky’s campaign by the fundraiser at the center of the ongoing state and federal investigation into New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s fundraising operation.

Given that the same Team de Blasio consultants, operatives, donors and practices identified in the state Board of Elections’ criminal referral were used to transfer more than $200,000 to Kaminsky’s campaign, it would surprise no one if we learned that state officials have expanded the scope of their investigation to review these facts.
Moreover, the solicitation distributed by Kaminsky’s campaign for an upcoming fundraising event in Long Beach invited LLCs to contribute the existing $11,000 maximum, as opposed to the lower contribution limit for which he has postured.

Even for a politician, this stark dichotomy between Kaminsky’s words and actions is remarkably brazen. In fact, his hypocrisy is only compounded by the virtuous light in which he endeavored to present himself to voters during the election.

This November, voters will have much more information about Kaminsky’s true nature when they again assess his character and fitness for office.

Scott Reif
Deputy director of communications New York State Senate Republicans