Peter Yarrow's contributions, traffic light timings

Yarrow did more than sing pop tunes

I was reminded of one of Peter Yarrow’s most important contributions, which was not included in his obituary [“Peter Yarrow, 86, of Peter, Paul and Mary,” Jan. 8].

In 1999, he co-founded Operation Respect, a groundbreaking anti-bullying program that utilized music and other resources to foster empathy and inclusivity among school-aged children.

I participated in Yarrow’s musical presentation, with his signature song for the program, “Don’t Laugh at Me,” at a school in upstate Liberty. Years after his “Blowing in the Wind” and years before many iterations of anti-bullying programs that continue today, his words struck an important chord in calling attention, once again, to a critically important subject.

— John Callahan, Bohemia

The writer is a former director of the largest state-operated children’s outpatient mental health program.

This could solve intersection woes

Here’s a possible traffic intersection solution “Three seconds isn’t long enough at light,” Letters, Dec. 18]. In many European countries, before the green light changes, it often flashes green a few seconds, warning drivers the light is about to change so they can slow down. The light then changes to yellow. So you have more time to make the appropriate decision.

— Karen Gretschel, Coram