Composting, JFK construction, aircraft noise, nonprofit exec pay, MTA, LIRR overtime

Something missing: A way to compost

Food waste accounts for so much of the garbage that we throw out. Diverting organic matter from what we send to the landfill or incinerate would contribute significantly to reducing the greenhouse gases produced by our waste. Composting is a partial solution to a substantial food waste problem, and it is one that Long Islanders all deserve access to [“Composting on LI? Not easy,” News, Aug. 4].

As a resident of Merrick, I wondered why, when so many municipalities nationwide were composting, I could not find a place anywhere. When I contacted the Hempstead Town Council and the Department of Sanitation to inquire about composting, I was told, “I don’t think people here would be interested in that.”

Except that people are interested, and many may be clamoring for it. We need it. If the Town of Hempstead was serious about addressing its contribution to climate change, it would explore municipal composting.

Ask neighbors if they would want to compost, and who knows what they would say. But tell them that composting makes their trash stink less, reduces methane emissions, and that they don’t have to do much more than put food waste out at the curb, and I’d bet they’ll be interested.

— Lauren Krueger, Merrick

The writer is project coordinator for Grassroots Environmental Education, which is based in Port Washington.

South Shore wants less jet noise, too

While I appreciate the attention given to the North Shore towns and airplane noise, I would love to see attention also given to the South Shore towns that have to endure jet takeoffs less than 1,000 feet above our homes [“FAA must reduce noise from jets,” Editorial, Aug. 13]. It should not be allowed.

I am talking about A330 and 747 jets flying so low that it’s ridiculous. And don’t get me started on the 3 a.m. large cargo jets that fly above us as well. Let’s be fair and address the noise on both shores. I know we live close to Kennedy Airport, but the planes can easily stay over water and not fly so low over communities.

— Eileen Hynes, Lynbrook

Recently, a relative’s family flew into Kennedy Airport (Terminal 1), and what an introduction to New York and the airport they were greeted with [“Prepare for pain at JFK,” Editorial, June 10]. It’s an embarrassment.

For us to reach the terminal, we’re sent on a series of detours through poorly maintained roads and signage placed too far apart. Several forks make it easy to take the wrong one.

There are no convenient parking spots for Terminal 1, so cars wait all over the place, partially blocking roads.

When passengers are weighed down by their luggage, taking mass transit instead of driving is not a good option. My relative, who frequently travels internationally, said Kennedy Airport is the worst- looking international airport.

The ongoing construction won’t be completed until 2030.

— John Frangos, Manhasset

County nonprofit limit seems hypocritical

It’s disingenuous for Suffolk County to try to take the high road against the pay of nonprofit executives [“Limit nonprofit pay, and exodus to start,” Letters, Aug. 15]. Especially when several county officials are double-dipping, taking both their six-figure paychecks and six-figure pensions [“Gov’t workers ‘double dip’ in Suffolk,” News, July 18].

Both the nonprofits and government appointments are legal, but in Suffolk County, it smells of cronyism.

— Barbara Haynes, Hauppauge

MTA can cover costs by cutting overtime

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is projecting $20 million in maintenance costs for old trains due to lack of congestion pricing funds to buy new ones [“LIRR maintenance costs projected to increase,” News, Aug. 1]. I’m sure they could cover those expenses and more by cutting the bloated overtime costs they carry year after year.

— Dave Neugebauer, Sea Cliff

To me, LIRR stands for Late, Incompetent and Rarely Reliable. Many trains run late no matter the time of day, peak or nonpeak hours, despite the rubric used by the Long Island Rail Road [“LIRR satisfaction on most branches drops,” Long Island, Aug. 4].

Satisfaction has decreased, in part, due to the staff that rarely enforce rules or are nowhere to be found on a train crowded with commuters returning to work on malfunctioning trains.

Worse, as taxpayers, we cover the cost of paying conductors who still hole-punch tickets in 2024.

If congestion pricing may eventually offset increases in fares, most of this money likely will not go to infrastructure and new trains. It was a way to cover the cost of the exorbitant overtime pay for LIRR employees.

— Kostas A. Katsavdakis, Mineola