Letter: To Obama from NY Chapter of the National Association of Jewish Legislators

(This letter was sent to President Barack Obama by the New York chapter of the National Association of Jewish Legislators President Charles Lavine, NYS Assemblyman, 13th A.D. and to Anton Community Newspapers.)

Dear President Obama:

The New York chapter of the National Association of Jewish Legislators urges you to remain resolute in American support of Israel, which continues to be our staunch ally.

From Long Island Wins: June 18, 2010

Frustrated With Broken Immigration System? Arizona Law Isn’t the Answer

Arizona’s draconian new anti-immigrant law has aroused some strong feelings, to say the least.

From Sustainable Long Island: June 4, 2010

Are You Prepared, Long Island?

We often hear the labeling of so many different aspects of today’s world as “going green.” We hear about a building going green, a company going green, a person going green or even an entire town going green.

Letter: The Truth About Arizona’s Immigration Law

(This letter is in response to a column, “Arizona’s Draconian Immigration Law Reverberates Everywhere,” by Maryann Sinclair Slutsky, one printed in the May 21, 2010 issue of The Massapequan Observer.)

  Bob Krentz was a rancher.  He was the most recent in a long line of family farmers that spans over 100 years.  While checking the water levels, as he did every evening, Bob found a man lying on the ground.  The man complained of being sick and asked for help.  Bob quickly called for helicopter evac to bring the sickly man medical attention.  As Bob turned his back to get supplies from his ATV, the man shot him in his side.  The man was an illegal immigrant, trying to cross the border through the cover of darkness.

Letter: Who Can Stay in Massapequa?

Now that the school budget has passed, I’m sure you will see even more homes for sale in Massapequa. It’s amazing that all the people you talk to about high taxes don’t vote. More troubling are some of the reasons for voting, such as “Yes, my daughter is a teacher.” “It’s going to pass anyway.” “It’s for the kids.” How many kids are going to be able to live in Massapequa when they get older? At the current tax rate or the ascending scale it is not reachable. Shame on all the media, including News 12 and Newsday for being sympathetic to the teachers union.

Jon H. Ruiss

Race to the Top Legislative Reforms

Statement of Timothy G. Kremer Executive Director, New York State School Boards Association

The New York State School Boards Association is cautiously optimistic about a proposal to include student achievement data in teacher evaluations.

Letter: The Importance of Your Local Library

One of the most important services any community enjoys is its public library. You wouldn’t think so judging by the actions Governor Paterson and the New York State Assembly have taken on funding libraries and library systems in the State’s 2010-11 state budget plans. The governor has recommended that state aid to library systems and their member libraries be reduced by $4.2 million. The Senate has rejected this recommendation, but the Assembly is still debating it.

What Every Long Islander Should Know: May 7, 2010

Better Education for Less

It’s school budget time, and wrath is in the air. Politicians are raging, taxpayers fuming, students protesting. The frustration is easy to understand. School budget votes in our region are a lose-lose proposition. Vote against the budget, and the ones we hurt are the children. Vote in favor, and we perpetuate the ruinous tax spiral that is devastating families and crippling our economy.

Parenthood Plus: April 30, 2010

Making Rounds

I have been writing Parenting Plus since February 2007. Sometimes I include personal details about my life. I strive for universal appeal but I never know for certain if I reach that goal. Although I try to make points to be helpful to parents and other community members that care about kids, sometimes I think what I make are “rounds” that are less hard-edged and softer than points.

Letter: Celebrating People in Action

What do we call people that, with willing hearts, give to their community week after week, year after year, expecting nothing in return? We call them volunteers.