Legendary leaders, alas…
To The Editor:
Re “Where are our leaders?” (letter, by Bunny Gabel, June 2): Thank you, Bunny Gabel.
In 1963, as secretary to Ruth Wittenberg on Community Planning Board 2, I had the honor of working with Jane Jacobs, Verna Small, Jim Shaw and many other community activists.
I later was elected secretary to Planning Board 2, under the chairmanship of Anthony Dapolito, who also contributed to protecting and improving our Village.
Yes, we do need leaders with courage and honesty.
Connie Masullo
Canada hydro energy’s cons
To The Editor:
Re “Cries to close nuke plant and go green gain energy” (news article, June 2):
Local generation of power is efficient and supports values of energy democracy. We should not just think of resolving the grid with renewables, but rethink how we get our power to benefit local communities. Let’s think justice!
Why would New York City want to get into the business of using our Upstate neighbors as a conduit for importing electricity from far away? I see that running into the same systemic problem that fossil fuels have created by crushing small locales in favor of big markets.
Let’s be great and support local generation and local ownership!
Kim Fraczek
Hillary hugs nuclear power
To The Editor:
Re “Cries to close nuke plant and go green gain energy” (news article, June 2):
Hillary supports keeping Indian Point open.
Bernie understands the problems. Hillary had eight years as New York senator, but doesn’t want to close an aging nuclear plant that can make Manhattan and elsewhere a permanent dead zone.
She had bad judgment about Iraq and has bad judgment about nuclear energy. Her campaign Web site uses the nuclear industry propaganda term “clean” energy for nuclear, and supports building more nuclear reactors.
Existing thin-walled (half-inch) nuclear waste canisters at Indian Point and at other U.S. plants cannot be inspected, repaired or maintained and can crack and leak millions of curies of radiation. Each contains more deadly Cesium-137 than was released from Chernobyl.
Entergy has no plan in place to deal with leaking “Chernobyl” cans. Learn more at SanOnofreSafety.org.
Thanks to Friends of the Earth and the donors that support them. F.O.E. helped shut San Onofre in California. Unfortunately, the nuclear waste is still unsafely stored in thin-walled canisters right at the beach and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission refuses to require higher waste-storage standards. Most other countries use thick-walled metal casks 10 inches to almost 20 inches thick.
Donna Gilmore
Failed Beth Israel ’89 plan
To The Editor:
Beth Israel tried to make a stealth move to cash out on real estate values — propelled by Wall Street’s Mayor, Michael Bloomberg — possibly depriving the Downtown community of essential medical services. It wouldn’t be the first time this allegedly nonprofit enterprise has operated in a furtive manner to the detriment of the community.
In late 1989 I learned that the 14th St. Y, at 344 E.14th St., was slated for extinction. It was, and remains, an anchor — a cherished, full community center. It was one of nine of 13 YMHA’s of New York targeted for closure by the United Jewish Appeal. They were losing money. In my opinion, there was pervasive corruption on 14th St.
The U.J.A. wanted to sell the building to Beth Israel Medical Center. There was a major structural defect due to a botched construction job on the theater, in addition to the bleed from fast and loose management.
Beth Israel fancied the prospect of a big building on choice real estate at a favorable price. B.I. was said to have put down a deposit of $1 million while avoiding the proper legal channels to avoid sunlight.
It was through an investigator from the New York State attorney general’s charities and trusts division that the Y was saved. Thwarted, B.I. bought on Union Square East.
On May 31, Dr. Kenneth Davis, president of Mount Sinai Health System, sat for a skillful interview with WNYC’s Brian Lehrer. Davis dismissed single-payer as a feasible system. This would make healthcare a human right and simplify reimbursement by cutting out insurance companies and saving 30 percent.
Follow the money.
Jack Brown
Dust off plaques proposal
To The Editor:
Re “AIDS Memorial supporters are the community too” (talking point, by Keith Fox, May 26):
The talking point by Keith Fox was clarifying and informational, but this controversy will end up like Sixth Ave. — some people call it Avenue of the Americas!
When community meetings on the Washington Square Park renovation were underway with the Parks Department and Community Board 2, neighbors presented proposals for 10 prominent historic markers, to be placed around the park. Included were drawings and photographs of sturdy, eye-level, podium-like, slanted-top, flat-screen models, with room for comprehensive prose.
We have never gotten the promised markers, but it’s possible C.B. 2 still has the information. Two of those would work perfectly inside the memorial park at Seventh Ave., taking up very little room, no matter what name it goes by.
The AIDS Memorial needs the identifying tribute and the Sisters of Charity and St. Vincent’s Hospital deserve the honor.
Mary Johnson
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