Letters to the Editor: Oct. 6-12, 2011

Mangano’s budget threatens public safety

To the Editor:

I’m sure that many people along the South Shore communities were alarmed last week when four armed burglars were loose in our area. Gunshots were fired in our neighborhood, and many of our schools and businesses were on lockdown until midafternoon while police conducted a thorough sweep of the area.

Due to the excellent work of our skilled and dedicated public safety officers, all four suspects were apprehended and in police custody within a matter of hours.

I recognize that Nassau County is in a fiscal crisis and we need to control costs and rein in wasteful spending, but I strongly oppose County Executive Ed Mangano’s budget cuts that would threaten the public safety of our community.

Eliminating two police precincts would significantly increase response time, and the next time an unfortunate incident like this occurs, the criminals might escape or, worse, inflict more harm to our friends and neighbors.

Please join me in sending a message to Mangano that his budget cuts pose a serious threat to residents’ quality of life and safety.

Joe Scannell

County legislator,

5th District

Any bathrooms around here?

To the Editor:

I think it might be easier to print the names of those who haven’t urinated in one of the municipal parking lots during the week than the way they are currently handled. It would probably be a much shorter list. There isn’t a week that goes by when I don’t get a call from a friend suggesting we meet in Municipal Parking Field 7 and urinate. We meet, urinate and head to the Senior Center for a hearty sing-along. Not only is Rockville Centre designated as a top tree village, we now are a top village in which to urinate. The Rock is the best!

Tom Kelly

Rockville Centre

Village bars need more toilets — and common sense

To the Editor:

Every week I read with interest the arrest records of those people who visit our village over the weekend and, you know, can’t make it to the bathroom. It’s good to see that the police force is fully engaged in writing appearance tickets for, you know.

Well, let’s get to work on a solution for all the parties involved — residents, bar patrons, bar owners and village authorities.

Here are a few ideas: