LIRR Mismanagement

Printed By Request:

Mr. James Dermody,

President of the LIRR

Dear Mr. Dermody:

I shall not address the obvious shortcomings of your proposed Third Track Expansion plans with this letter; others, I am sure, will champion that cause. Rather I will discuss the LIRR's inability to manage Capital Projects, large or small, and ask why taxpayers should entrust the LIRR 'Mismanagement' with more money. Let's review some of the Railroad's recent debacles:

NEW M7 CARS: A collective moan rises from the platform whenever the commuters are faced with an overcrowded and uncomfortable ride in your new cars. Were they designed for Japanese riders and you got a good deal for them? They certainly do not comport American riders. The bathrooms seem to be in a constant state of disrepair. The air conditioning I have experienced lacks power. Given the poorly designed seats, I would love to know the how much the railroad has paid to commuters for torn garments. Was there any accountability? Doubt it!

DOUBLE-DECKER CARS: These were supposed to be the panacea to the overcrowding plaguing Penn Station, fewer cars carrying more passengers. What was the cost to the taxpayers? Where are these double-decker wonders? Was there any accountability? Doubt it!

DUALFUNCTION LOCOMOTIVES: What was the original purpose? Was it ever achieved? I understand this too was a major failure. What did this cost the taxpayers? Was there any accountability? Doubt it!

HILLSIDE MAINTENANCE FACILITY: How much over the original budget and how far behind the original completion date was this project? Now we find the railroad being held liable for endangering workers with asbestos exposure. What further costs will the taxpayers incur due to your mismanagement? Was there any accountability? Doubt it!

JAMAICA STATION PROJECT: How does it feel to have the largest pigeon coop in New York? What is it costing you to catch our feathered friends? Do you realize that commuters dread having to transfer at Jamaica, so why are you spending so much there, for your own offices? We are trying to get to our offices or home as quickly as possible and not linger in Jamaica longer than necessary. Was there any accountability? Doubt it!

NASSAU BLVD STATION RENOVATION: There was nothing done to that station that could justify the 10 months you kept it closed. I was especially impressed when you had to lay additional cement to accommodate the air conditioning units. No prior specifications available? The bars around the air conditioning units should doubtless allow for easy maintenance. Or hadn't you thought of that? What did this cost the taxpayers? Was there any accountability? Doubt it!

CONCRETE RAILROAD TIES: What is causing these ties to break? They were supposed to reduce maintenance costs, yet I see them piled near the Belmont Racetrack spur. What is this costing the taxpayers? Was there any accountability? Doubt it!

I have cited just a few of the obvious failures of the LIRR management. God knows what else you have hidden from our legislators and us. I feel there is no need to add another to your long list of failures. Therefore I asked my elected representatives to prevent the Third Track Expansion scheme of a failed management.

Thomas P. Brosnan

Fund Raiser

A Huge Success

To The Editor:

Thank you to all who so generously contributed to the success of our fund-raising barbeque a few weeks ago to raise money for MOMMA'S House. Nearly $25,000.00 was raised; a remarkable sum, and more donations are arriving as we write. With these funds, MOMMA'S House will be able to continue its work, enabling young mothers to give birth to their children instead of seeking an abortion.

MOMMA'S House is an award-winning Long Island organization that provides housing and tender care for mothers who are experiencing crisis pregnancies.

The August 18th issue of The Long Island Catholic, the weekly newspaper for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, carried a front-page article on MOMMA'S House, noting, "MOMMA'S House operates residences for women in crisis pregnancy or with a newborn baby who have no place to go and no resources to care for their baby or lay groundwork for improving their lives." The news story reports on one of MOMMA'S House's building projects that will renovate a home for the young mothers.

Pat Shea, the founder and director of MOMMA'S House, has dedicated her life to helping mothers with crisis pregnancies. Her tireless and saintly efforts have rescued thousands of women here on Long Island. She has asked us to thank all area residents who have generously supported the MOMMA'S House project.

If you wish, you can still send a donation directly to MOMMA'S House at 1857 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793. Please make checks payable to "MOMMA'S House." This is a wonderful opportunity to provide direct assistance to young mothers and their unborn children.

Thank you.

Bob Dougherty & Art O'Brien

Seeking Information

To The Editor:

My name is Ken Tedesco. I grew up in New Hyde Park and caddied at the Garden City Golf Club from 1962 to 1966, and can still 'play' that great course in my mind. Several years ago I wrote to the golf pro at the GCGC and asked him for a score card. He sent me a few score cards along with several photos of the course. He also shared with me information regarding the 100th Anniversary of the GCGC and a special edition publication. I was able to get a copy of the 100th anniversary book...loved it...read it over and over...bringing back so many fond memories of my childhood.

I moved to New Orleans in 1971 and last year Hurricane Katrina ravaged our home and we lost so many possessions and keepsakes...among them was the 100th Anniversary GCGC book. I am writing to you to ask if you could print my story in the Garden City News with the hopes that one of your readers would be so kind to share a copy of that great book with me.

God bless and thank you,

Ken Tedesco

Editor's Note: If anyone can help Mr. Tedesco, please contact this newspaper and we will put you in touch with him.