Letters to the Franklin Square/Elmont Herald: April 19-May 2

L.I. families are still struggling

To the Editor:

I recently sponsored an outreach program in conjunction with the state Department of Financial Services for homeowners in the 6th Senate District who have concerns about their mortgages. The turnout, according to DFS, was the highest they had seen for any of their mobile outreach services.

While our economy is showing signs of improvement, particularly on Long Island, there are unfortunately still many families struggling to make ends meet and who may be in or facing foreclosure. DFS employs foreclosure-prevention specialists who provide information about pre-foreclosure and loan-modification programs, and help residents who may have concerns about mortgage servicer abuses such as predatory lending.

While the turnout was strong, many residents may have been unable to speak to DFS, and others may have questions about foreclosure, loan modification programs available, or complaints about mortgage servicer abuses or predatory lending practices. If so, DFS operates a toll-free foreclosure hotline, (800) 269-0990, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. They would welcome any questions you might have or any programs you might need. You can also access their “Help for Homeowners” at www.dfs.ny.gov/consumer/mortg.htm for more helpful information.

Aside from the DFS, another great resource for assistance is the Nassau County Bar Association. They are offering a free Mortgage Foreclosure Legal Consultation Clinic on May 7, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the bar association (corner of 15th and West Street, Mineola). If you or someone you know has concerns about a mortgage, maintaining home ownership and/or bankruptcy, volunteer attorneys will provide one-on-one guidance and advice. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling the bar association directly at (516) 747-4070. Attendees are asked to bring their mortgage documents with them.

That clinic will also feature housing counselors from the Nassau County Homeownership Center, the Community Development Corporation of Long Island, Nassau/Suffolk Law Services (for those who meet certain income guidelines) and La Fuerza Unida, which will be on hand to assist with loan modifications. Volunteer attorneys have helped more than 1,700 families discuss their concerns and evaluate what steps can be taken to improve their circumstances. The attorneys put residents in touch with where to find the resources they need.

Feel free to contact my community office at (516) 739-1700 if you need further assistance.

Kemp Hannon

State senator, 6th District

Walgreens approval ignores Elmont’s wishes

To the Editor:

On April 4, I attended an Elmont Chamber of Commerce meeting held at the Elmont Memorial Library. There, Town of Hempstead Councilman Ed Ambrosino commented that the need for another pharmacy in Elmont — the Franklin Square/Elmont Herald has counted more than a dozen in Franklin Square and Elmont — was irrelevant to the recent approval for a Walgreens pharmacy to be constructed in Elmont. He added that Walgreens is a profit-seeking company and is aware of its competition.

Another pharmacy in Elmont, however, is relevant. Even though Walgreens is a for-profit company, a democratically elected government’s predominant role is to represent the public.

According to the Herald, at the Feb. 29 Town of Hempstead Board of Appeals hearing, a petition with more than 600 signatures opposing the Walgreens plan was submitted, and nearly a dozen local residents publicly expressed concerns about already congested traffic on Meacham Avenue in Elmont, as well as limited parking in the area.

The approval of Walgreens’ proposal to build a new store in Elmont not only displaces small businesses and discourages entrepreneurship; it ignores the wishes of the Elmont community.

Noah Sheroff  

Franklin Square

Remember safety on Irene anniversary

To the Editor:

     The weekend of August 24 -27 will mark one year since Hurricane Irene made its way into our cities, towns and a few states across the Eastern border. I recently wrote a children’s book, “Ms. Irene Is So Demanding,” based on the concerns and fears that my 7-year-old daughter experienced before and during the storm, and it has become my mission to get rid of the fears surrounding storms. I believe that, with preparation, human life can be protected during any storm.

      Sharing information is at the heart of storm preparation. I want to educate and encourage adults as well as children to plan before a storm warning. Storms are popping up everywhere these days. Remember that storms damage the physical items you hold dear and work your life obtaining. They can also destroy lives.

    Let’s do something about storm safety preparation on that weekend in August. Join me in an effort to educate and save lives. Let’s provide people with information, give away storm safety tools and safety first aid kits. Together we can clear away those stormy fears and become storm prepared and educated. Then we, and our children, won’t be so afraid.

      To help me in this effort, you can offer a space for storm fairs; volunteer your time and participation; help get the word out; provide items to share with the participants; or just provide feedback.

       Contact at mbarret13@yahoo.com or (516) 472-1339 to let me know how you can help.

Marie Barret

Hempstead

Millions for local administrators in new budgets

To the Editor:

     The pay and cost of benefits for Long Island’s public school administrators consumes a $500 million chunk of our property taxes.

       Long Island’s public school districts have about 3,000 administrators, whose pay ranges from $125,000 to $506,382, which is more than the U.S. president’s salary. New York State spends more on education than any other state, and has the highest school property taxes in the nation, but last year, New York was the only state where fourth-grade math scores fell.