The Village News

Letters To The Editor

Letters to the editor must be submitted via email and must include the author’s name, address, and daytime phone number so that Bellport.com can confirm the source of the submission. Letters can be up to 1500 words in length and should be in good taste and not libelous. Although we will consider every submission, the publication of any particular letter is at the sole discretion of Bellport.com. If you'd like to submit a Letter to the Editor, send your letter to letters@bellport.com.

Letters are posted as soon as they are received, not just once a week, so check back often!

March 11, 2010

Response To Z.V. O'Brien's Letter

As a Brookhaven Hamlet resident, I have resolved to go out of my way not to shop in Bellport and to make an effort not to patronize any Bellport businesses. Bellport business owners have come up with proactive and imaginative ways of getting through the economic downturn. However, it should be understood that those efforts are being undermined by the recent decisions of the Village Board. Why would any non-resident be inclined to support Bellport businesses in light of these newly adopted rules and policies? I completely support the views expressed in Z.V. O’Brien’s letter.
 
C. Hollevoet
Brookhaven Hamlet

 

March 10, 2010

Response To Reggie Seltzer's Letter

I find Ms. Seltzer's letter more important in light of results printed in today's Newsday regarding graduation rates for minorities on Long Island. While this is just one small metric it shows once again the sad state of this district, a state it has been in for more than 30 years, not just the last 3. For those who have not seen the data, South Country ranks fifth from the bottom in Suffolk and graduation rates went down, while the vast majority of schools showed increases in that rate.

I have been following published statistics for school districts on LI since our son went to Kindergarten in 1987. South Country has consistently performed in the bottom 10% of schools on LI. When this issue is brought up to defenders of the district two arguments are usually presented. The first is that "My son/daughter went there and is doing fine". This is true, but also anecdotal. The real question is, of the students who are not "doing fine" how many would have performed better, attended better colleges and attained better jobs had they gone to school in a better place. The answer to this is hard to quantify, except by looking at the numbers. The most significant number to look at is the number of families in this district who have chosen to send their children to private schools.

The second argument is that this district is saddled with a large minority, and more important, disadvantaged population. This is true. My counter argument is that we've known that for 30 years or more. Why not do SOMETHING to address it? The statistics printed in Newsday today shine a bright light on that failure.

Finally, I don't share Ms. Seltzer's hope that the School Board is the answer. My experience with School Board members is that as candidates they tell you what they are going to do and once elected the explain why they can't do any of those things. The problem is bigger than any local bunch of concerned yet unqualified citizens can handle. The days of local school districts need to end and a large shift in the education paradigm needs to happen if there is going to be any real change.

Rich Giannotti
Brookhaven Hamlet

 

March 8, 2010

South Country School Board

Let's face it the residents of the South Country School District are not happy.

Taxes are up, quality of education is down. We've had 3 superintendents in 3 years and are looking for a new one.

Let's face it we need new faces, new thinking, new leadership on the school board.

You can be part of the solution by volunteering to be a candidate for the school board or by volunteering to help the candidates. Invest just an hour and a half of your time to come to an information meeting on Tuesday March 16, at 7:00pm.

There will be information available about the election scheduled for May 19, and petitions for anyone wishing to be a candidate. We need you. See you there. And Thanks.

Reggie Seltzer
Bellport, NY

 

March 3, 2010

Regarding The Recent Village Board Meeting Recap

During the time I've lived in Bellport, I've shopped its village stores, donated to its churches, frequented its restaurants, and advocated the town as a great place to live. Imagine my shock to learn that the village board has decided to issue ID cards only to village residents for the use of the parks. Due to this decision, I'm not allowed entry because what separates me from the "village" is that my house sits one block in the wrong direction. If the board had some foresight, it would have decided to implement a nominal fee to "non-Village Bellport residents", a higher per-diem fee for out-of-town visitors, or just a flat fee. I would have gladly purchased a yearly pass if available and the town would have received much needed funds.

I was also rather surprised to learn of the closing of the Country Club restaurant, more so after speaking with someone who explained that no one ever went there because they thought it was for country club members only. All that was needed to save this establishment was better publicity. Yet, with another recent decision, the board has ensured that only country club members dine there going forward. Who would use the catering facilities if they are not allowed to dine there on a regular basis?

Honestly, does anyone on this board possess any business sense whatsoever? If lack of revenue is an issue - and apparently it is based on the budget problems - wouldn't it be prudent to think of creative ways to generate money and not cannibalize its own population? By not promoting itself outside of its own borders, but continuing to find ways to alienate its neighboring citizens, the village ensures its own collapse.

Perhaps the board should just gate the entire village and remain in isolation from those that could have helped it generate funds and ensure its financial future.

Sincerely,

Z.V. O'Brien
Bellport, NY