Letters to the Editor, Feb. 28

Grateful for Bedford Fire Department’s response

To the Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Bedford Fire Department, especially Chief Shawn Carmody, for their exceptional work. We were recently away on holiday and our fire alarm went off at 2:30am. The alarm company called the fire department and Shawn arrived at our home within minutes. We were able to speak to him through our video camera, got him into our house and he quickly realized there was a boiler issue. He shut it off and his team then arrived to help clear out our home as the CO levels had risen due to the smoke. 

No one wants to receive a phone call like that while out of the country; we are so grateful to have a trustworthy fire department and appreciate all of their hard work and dedication. 

Janine O’Dowd 

Bedford 

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Lewisboro woman wants answers from U.S. Rep Mike Lawler

An open letter to Congressman Lawler:

Congressman, what are you doing to stop the rampage inflicted on our hard-working government workers? They are currently being terrorized, mistreated and disrespected under the Trump/Musk United States Chain Saw Massacre. These punitive actions are thinly disguised and inaccurately named cost-cutting efficiencies.Have you demanded independent oversight and reporting to Congress on these actions? Have you asked for studies on the illegalities and impacts these many thousands of arbitrary firings will have on Americans? Have you protected your constituents from Musk obtaining access to their social security numbers and other personal data?Will you ensure:

That the U.S. Postal Service will continue to deliver medications and birthday cards?

That Medicare and Medicaid will continue to pay for telehealth doctor visits, needed medical treatment and vaccinations?

That food stamps (SNAP) will continue to supplement basic nutrition to those in need?

That the IRS will have enough staff to answer the phones and taxpayer questions, mail tax refunds and audit income tax submissions to collect revenue?

That FEMA will be funded and ready to help with the next flood, fire or hurricane?

That libraries, museums, cultural institutions and national parks will be open and adequately staffed?

That school curriculums will be free from government interference and defunding threats?

That states rights will be protected from federal overreach? (Think New York City congestion pricing and abortion rights.)

That actions of the FBI, CIA, federal courts and district attorneys be insulated from politicalization and personal retribution?

That the dollar costs for the mass deportation efforts be independently audited and reported to Congress and that these costs be offset in the budget by taxing billionaires and corporations currently not paying their fair share?

That consumer protections for food safety and from economic fraud will be restored?

That the United States base its global actions on historical truth — not on Putin propaganda —  and continue to support NATO and Ukraine?

Congressman, is there any of this you are willing to commit to?

Ellen Brief

Lewisboro

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Congress should provide checks, not a rubber stamp

This letter was sent to U.S. Rep. Michael Lawler and reprinted by The Recorder at the writer’s request.

Dear Congressman Lawler:

I have previously written to you regarding my concerns about the efforts by the Trump administration regarding the debt ceiling and the pardoning of Jan. 6, 2021, rioters. Although I have yet to receive any response, I am now concerned about the Trump administration’s current efforts to undermine democracy and the rule of law and gut Federal government agencies and their Congress-approved budgets. 

Although I support efforts to identify and correct wasteful spending, the efforts by the current administration continually make wild, unsupported claims about fraud and abuse without providing any support for these allegations, including their efforts to block spending on Congress-approved projects.  

You, as our representative in Congress, have an obligation to challenge these efforts and not just go along with everything the administration wants. As you should well know, we have three branches of government to provide checks and balances on each of the other branches. Congressional Republicans in the majority have ceded their oversight responsibilities to the Executive Branch much like a rubber stamp without any pushback. In my opinion, that is not why you were elected and from what I see, you are not representing the interests of your constituents, including me. 

I keep watching for a town hall meeting that would allow your constituents in Westchester County to discuss with you the effectiveness of your constituent representation in Congress. When Sean Patrick Maloney was our congressman, he held numerous town hall meetings to discuss our interests and answer questions about what was going on in Washington, D.C. When are you going to meet with us? Or are you afraid of the reaction you may receive from your constituents? 

Lee Dewey

Pound Ridge

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Slow down, stop tailgating, writer implores other drivers

To the Editor:

We moved to Pound Ridge a couple years back, and are very pleased with our new community. I find that almost every day errands take me down Westchester Avenue and back. Early on we realized that the Pound Ridge police were actively monitoring traffic for speeding or reckless behavior. I am a fan! There are drivers who feel that road, with its few stop signs and lack of traffic lights, is merely a throughway to other destinations, and like to zip on by. However, I am perfectly content to drive sedately as I go about my business. Alas, the vehicles behind me many times seem impatient, tailgating as if they wish to climb right into the back of my RAV4. I often speak out loud to those drivers, “You’re welcome! I’ve saved you a speeding ticket today my friend!” but they cannot hear.

My wish would be for drivers to realize the additional 50 feet closer to their destination cuts negligible time from their journey and is an unsafe practice. Perhaps I could make a sign that pops up on my rear door that (most politely) informs these overeager folks they might want to back off? Or maybe the good officers who patrol these roads could remind them that following too closely is a violation of New York Vehicle and Traffic Code Section 1129, which states drivers “shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent.” 

One hopes this letter could be a gentle reminder. It would certainly improve my day not to see them looming in my rearview mirror for a change!

Melinda Battle 

Pound Ridge