Letters to the Editor: Lynbrook, East Rockaway

Struggling with school budget

To the Editor:  
This past year, the East Rockaway School District had to work within its new budget constraints and cut many things from the program such as teaching positions, summer school programs, a librarian, aides and monitors, to name a few. Our teachers even agreed to a zero-percent increase in their contract for the next three years. 
What was added was a sweetheart contract for former administrator and Principal Bill Fortgang. We struggle with spreading our limited resources, yet we can come up with $575 a day for a part-time director of music and fine arts. Fortgang is already receiving a pension that every district on Long Island struggles to fund. How many jobs could have been saved, or programs reinstated, without this job?

Barber made a triple play

To the Editor:
Thank you for the interesting article featuring Eddie’s Barber Shop and its owner, John Lecuit (“Just a little off the top” Aug. 30-Sept. 5).
  What this modest owner failed to mention to Herald reporter Brian Croce was that he was a standout varsity basketball player and a vital cog in the success of that 1953-54 Lynbrook High School basketball team. But that was not the biggest claim to fame for this former athlete. During the 1954 baseball season, Lecuit did something that only 15 major league players have accomplished in over 100 years of playing baseball. With the bases loaded and no one out, the Owls infield was playing in for a play at the plate. When the hitter connected, second baseman John Lecuit caught a hard line drive for out number one, he then tagged the runner coming from first base for out number two — and then stepped on second base for out number three. An unassisted triple play!
Thanks, John, for the great haircuts and for the sports memories. 
Don Roth
Lynbrook