Dumping, Nassau tax exemptions, and NYC transit

Dumping issue must be addressed

Newsday’s coverage of the illegal dumping in the pine barrens in Yaphank unfortunately is a sign of things to come in our region with the impending closure of the Brookhaven landfill [“Chronic problem: Waste at preserve,” News, Sept. 2].

While shuttering this facility at the end of 2024 is a necessary step, it still presents serious challenges for the proper disposal of waste on Long Island. The most immediate example of these challenges will be the skyrocketing costs of waste removal once we must rely on tens of thousands of trucks to ship waste off the Island. Bad-faith actors will be incentivized to dump waste in remote parts of Long Island, like the pine barrens, to help their bottom line.

This dumping incident took place with the landfill still open for business. Can you imagine what will happen when it’s closed?

While we must invest in zero-waste initiatives, we also must have a viable plan in place to address this issue before the landfill closes. One solution is shipping waste off Long Island via rail.

Our region must find an effective approach to addressing the issue.

 — Will Flower, West Babylon
 The writer is senior vice president of Winters Bros. Waste Systems.

The hidden cost of county exemptions

The Nassau Legislature’s unanimous vote to greatly expand both the county disability and senior exemptions, so eligible residents who earn up to $50,000 annually can exempt 50% of their property taxes, comes with a significant hidden cost [“More assessment exemptions,” Our Towns, Sept. 8].

While the expansion will allow some seniors to remain in their homes, it will remove tens of millions of dollars from the assessment rolls. This will result in higher tax rates for all homeowners. Those not getting the exemption will pay higher taxes. It does not appear that much thought went into whether this legislation, while benefiting a small minority of county residents (who at least in theory can live in paid-off million-dollar homes) may cause hardship to those Nassau County homeowners who scrimp and save to pay their mortgages and taxes. By example, if one homeowner in your district saves $6,000, then 60 homeowners will pay $100.

Before County Executive Bruce Blakeman signs the hastily adopted legislation, he should calculate the costs and explain to the more than 300,000 homeowners who will pay for but not benefit from the exemptions what their increased costs will be.

 — Jeffrey B. Gold, North Bellmore

The writer is a former member of the Nassau County Board of Assessors.

Group of extremists really exists today

A reader identifies himself as an “independent voter,” but he doesn’t sound like one [“Tying right wing to Russia a bad move,” Letters, Sept. 2].

He criticizes Assemb. Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) for characterizing “the right-wing zealots here in the United States” as part of the rise of totalitarian governments. The reader says he prefers politicians who unite the country and claims that Lavine seems to care more about party than country.

I totally disagree. There is an extreme right-wing element in this country that seems to not believe in the Constitution. They apparently want to turn this country into an authoritarian theocracy and oligarchy. Lavine doesn’t refer to all right-wingers, just those who want to tear down this country. Such people won’t seek to unite with the large majority of Americans who do believe in the Constitution. Lavine is putting country before party in calling them out.

President Joe Biden has tried to work with such people but has realized it’s impossible. So Lavine, rightly, has called out the small group of extremists who don’t want the America of the Founding Fathers or even the America envisioned by Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Dwight D. Eisenhower and most Democrats.

Anyone who truly loves America and respects the Constitution should be denouncing those zealots.

 — Scott Diamond, Levittown

Singapore’s transit won’t work in NYC

Having spent time in Singapore, I agree its transit system is first-rate compared to New York City’s [“NYC transit should imitate Singapore,” Letters, Sept. 8]. However, it works in Singapore because its residents work together as a unified culture. Rules are followed. In the United States, people do not like infringement of their rights. So, we are more likely to be annoyed by strict policy rules and ignore them.

Consequently, the strictness of Singapore’s transit system policy would most likely not work in New York City.

 — Sharon Scott, Centerport