Demeaning Letter

To the Editor:

My name is Kelly Mohen and I feel it is my responsibility to write a response to the letter that you published in your November 4 issue regarding the writer's proposal for a curfew for teenagers. I am fifteen years old, and I have never once been intoxicated, smoked a cigarette, or even seen an illegal substance. I can also say the same about a majority of my friends at Garden City High School. It is true that a few of my fellow students have behaved in a way that befits no one, no matter what age, and I do not condone the vandalism. Neither does my father.

However, I do not think that the actions of the few should dictate the consequences to the many. One of my very close friends has a working single mother who rarely, if ever, is able to pick her up from friends' houses at late hours. What do you propose my friend should do in lieu of walking? Perhaps the supporters of the curfew might be willing to also provide a car service to drive the teens that need rides after hours, such as after work.

The anonymous letter is also extremely demeaning to the people, staff and students alike, who work hard to make Garden City High School a positive environment. If by mentioning eighth graders taking the co-ops, you hoped to support the need for a curfew, you are naive. I have friends who attend private high schools who come home with worse stories. I myself attended a private school for seven years, where the students face similar challenges. The idea that private schools are void of such problems a stereotypical generalization.

I also don't think that the writer of that letter comprehends the changing times. This person can spout personal ideals of yesteryear all he or she wants to. Just because he himself was not personally subjected to bad behavior then, does not mean that it did not go on behind closed doors. Anyone who chooses to believe that things like vandalism or urinating in gardens did not exist in 1950s Garden City is deluding himself. Just look at some of the pop culture from those times, including two literary examples that are taught in the English programs of both public and private schools in the area: JD Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye and SE Hinton's The Outsiders. Both show good examples of the similarity of modern society to that of the past. The author of that letter clearly states that there were exceptions to the rebellious teen stereotype, and the same remains true now. Why, when there was no curfew then, when the drinking age was even lower, should one be put in place now? Or perhaps the author in fact is being hypocritical and does think that the current generation has it rougher or even struggles more than those of the past.

Both of my parents, who are divorced, were already aware of the incidents of substance abuse in or around the high school. I myself have reported other students for smoking in the girls' locker room. My father always comments about the "smokers' corner" of the Merillon Avenue entrance to our school every time we pass it. And lastly, my parents attended the only homecoming celebration that either my brother or I (of which neither has ever left school grounds during the day without parental consent) did. I would never imply that your children are purposely deceitful to you, and I am disappointed that you cannot show my family that same consideration.

I would also like to refute the implication that my father has raised anything but "good kids". I am personally insulted that you would insinuate ("It's obvious that your 'good children' do not share this information with you. I wonder why?") that I am anything but an upstanding member of the community. I can only assume that you have never met me, since you did not show enough fortitude to sign your name at the bottom of your letter. I want you to know that I am proud of my father for vouching for me and the rest of my friends, as well as my two brothers and their friends. It's a shame that your children cannot say the same about you.

Though you may not be "walking around with blinders on," your vision is indeed impaired. You, sir, only see in black and white; you see your good kids, and the bad ones raised by the "negligent people".

It would be entirely unconstitutional to impose restrictions on all teenagers. I may be a teen, but I am not stupid, and I know that I am promised a trial by jury before any of my rights can be taken away. If there is to be a curfew established, I would like to see everyone held accountable, not just the teenagers. If you are going to generalize, why not include the many Garden City resident adults that have been guilty of public intoxication, DWI, DUI, or perjury? Are you willing to accept a curfew on yourself because of bad deeds of other people? I look forward to sharing my curfew with them, and you. -

Kelly Mohen,

GCHS class of 2008

Just Say No

To The Editor:

Bravo to the parent who wrote in last week about the "good kids" in Garden City. I have had and still have several kids in the GC school system. The older ones, who are away at college, read online the letter and also agree with everything that was written. They too have seen and experienced all that was mentioned. The only things missing are the students with the vodka "water" bottles that they carry around school and the kids who do "coke" to stay thin (I don't mean diet either). This is not a select few, reread the results of the survey that was done a few years ago regarding alcohol & drugs in this town.

We have a committee on substance abuse in this town, how many of you actively support this group in your own home? How many of you turn the other way when you know your student is breaking the law? How many of you are enablers? Garden City is not unique in this situation. We can turn this around by being a leader and just saying "NO" to this unacceptable behavior by teens and their parents.

Until this situation changes I too do not want my name published because of possible retribution to my family.

Name Signed But Withheld Upon Request

Competition Needed

To the Editor,

"Cablevision!" The mention of the name is synonymous with "high cost." Many years ago Garden Citians were agog with the thought that we would be one of the test villages for Cable set-up. I stood up in the Stratford School auditorium and asked "How long can we expect to pay $7.95 per month for service?" and was told by Mr. Cableguy: "We don't expect to raise our rates for a long, long time!"

"Long, long time" to a tortoise can be 150+ years and to a Mayfly, a matter of hours. Cablevision has treated us like the insects! My "Gold Package - not the best and not with the almost mandatory Sports add-ons is somewhere between a monthly new car and home equity loan payment.

Enough is enough! I read with great interest that Massapequa Park volunteered to be a test village for Cablevision's competitor - Verizon. Isn't it time for Garden City to volunteer too? My high school economics teacher always said that prices in an open market are lowered by competition. What's the downside?

Hey Trustees - we are being beat up with taxes, gasoline, heating fuels and hundreds of thousands of dollars in resident paid "stabilizing costs" while you hire group after group of consultants to tell you what you already know has to be done with St Paul's. Bringing Verizon into town to stimulate the marketplace is a no-brainer, and everyone will love you, too!

Here's all that you have to do: (1) Have Counsel dig out that dusty Cavlevision contract and give them notice that you are exercising your right to remove their exclusive franchise, (2) Talk to the people at Verizon - they are begging for test villages, (3) Negotiate a long term rate for your constituents with Verizon, and and a new agreement with Cablevision, (4) sit back and watch TV and apply your savings toward some other obscenely high bill you're paying.

"There is nothing so right as an idea whose time has come." Don't put it off. Start the ball rolling today! We're all watching you. Maybe we can read a reply in next weeks Mayors Column!

Allen S. Mathers

Don't Change Zoning

To The Editor,

I have been a resident of Garden City for 37 years and am concerned about the recent developments regarding the Cathedral of the Incarnation's attempt to change the zoning of its beautiful campus to allow for the construction of an assisted care facility. I believe the center of town is so picturesque and idyllic that the construction of a three-story commercial facility by a for-profit, publicly traded company is inconsistent with the Master Plan of the Village. The issue lies in the rezoning of residential space for a commercial one. It is not an issue to be taken lightly and if the board were to grant the Cathedral's request, then what other areas of town could conceivably be rezoned?

I applaud the Board of Trustees for its' action in recommending residential development for the property at the easterly end of Stewart Avenue that had been zoned for commercial use. The Board is further protecting the residential character of our village and the interests of our neighbors. It's hard to imagine that zoning policies at one end of town could be diametrically different to proposals in the center of town. It would be a mistake to change the Cathedral House property from residential to commercial for a corporate profitable enterprise. I think it is incumbent upon us to support our Central section neighbors who are also against rezoning properties for commercial use. The future landscape of Garden City depends on it.

Mark Fitzpatrick

Cell Phone Tower?

To the Editor:

Does anyone know about the cell phone tower that the Garden City Jewish Center is negotiating to have placed somewhere in their parking lot. We are residents of a neighboring house and quite by accident on Columbus Day we discovered a T-Mobile crew in the parking lot. Wondering what T-Mobile could possibly have to do with the Jewish Center, we went over to see what was up. We were told that T-Mobile was in negotiation with the Jewish Center regarding installation of a 60-70 foot cell tower to be located "somewhere in the parking lot". Upon hearing this we made some phone calls and were told that nothing had been brought to the village.

This issue was subsequently raised at the most recent Estate Property Owners Association meeting. A representative of the Jewish Center was there to explain that they were only in preliminary negotiations with T-Mobile. It is our understanding that the representative of the Jewish Center also happens to be on our Village's zoning board. It would seem to us that something of this nature would have to be approved by the Village. The Garden City Jewish Center is located in the middle of a residential area with no surrounding commercial zoning. Could the property on which the Jewish Center sits possibly be zoned as to permit a cell tower? We wonder what possible benefit could be had by anyone in the Village of Garden City (other than the financial gain to the Jewish Center) by the erection of a 60-70 foot tower in the parking lot.

Quite frankly, we cannot imagine where such a tower could be placed without infringing on the rights of the surrounding neighbors. Has the Jewish Center even considered possible health risks to residents? Are they only out for financial gain at the expense of their neighbors? What about the negative impact that this would undoubtedly have to the value of the properties surrounding the Jewish Center? We learned a very interesting fact after researching cell towers in the area. There are no free standing cell towers within the village limits. All free standing cell towers servicing Garden City are located in commercial areas outside the confines of Garden City. A 60-70 foot cell tower in the heart of a residential area cannot be the village's first.

Louise and Sean Fitzsimons

Closure Needed

To the Editor:

There are currently 5 major issues within the village that we all need to address, and they should all concern anyone who has children, owns property and pays taxes.

1.St. Paul's School

2.Middle School property lease expiration (The Cathedral owns it)

3.Social Services building rezoning

4.Newsday property rezoning

5.Cathedral House / Sunrise Assisted Living rezoning

I believe the only fair way to get to the conclusion of this is by rolling out the voting machines, place them where everyone would vote in a general election and put all 5 issues on the ballot. The cost will probably be a lot cheaper than another partisan, vague and inconclusive study. As the taxpayers footing the bill for any decisions made regarding any of these issues, we should be allowed to vote on the future outcome of how our tax dollars will be spent, how crowded our schools become and how much traffic we battle in our daily lives. Since the people who attempt to run the village can't seem to bring these issues to any closure, the residences should be allowed to decide, after all, who is paying for this circus? We should advertise the vote way in advance so everyone will know all about it, mark their calendars and reschedule their vacations. Whatever the outcome, so be it. We don't need any more studies, study of the studies, lawsuits, or shabby patch roofing jobs on St. Paul's. What we need is a vote and closure.

Remember, re-zoning could set a legal precedent for future development anywhere in the village and all of these issues are really about re-zoning and changing our village forever. And if we vote for re-zoning, we might as well just hand the keys over to the developers.

Oh, and the last one out, remember to turn off the lights.

Robert Reid

From The Mouths Of Babes...

To the Editor,

The following two letters were written by children after they experienced second hand smoke at their games this weekend in Garden City. It led to asthma attacks, discussion on laws regarding smoking and what can be done to prevent smoking at children's games. They decided to write to the Garden City News to tell smokers to STOP and THINK.

May their words stop adults from lighting up in front of children, and endangering their health. Coaches and parents must not allow smoking at sporting events. There are laws to prevent smoking indoors; certainly in the great outdoors, we must all breath freely.

Eileen LaRose

Dear Editor,

Yesterday we were at playing hockey at Garden City Community Park when two men were smoking cigars. Then today I was playing soccer at St. Paul's field and another guy was smoking a cigar. When we got home I was having an asthma attack. My eyes were red, I kept coughing and I couldn't breath. Please don't smoke when kids play their games.

Danny

Age 7

Dear Editor,

Yesterday me and my brother were playing hockey with the Garden City Roller Hockey League and there was a guy smoking a cigar. I smelled it and I got asthma. Today at my brother's soccer game at St. Paul's a guy was smoking a cigar on the sidelines. We both got asthma. Please don't smoke during a children's sport event.

Samantha

Age 8