Letters

COLA Increase Fizzles
To The Editor:

Thank you for informing the Social Security and Medicare changes that will occur in January.

It is deeply appreciated that you present such helpful information to the many Queens residents who receive Social Security and Medicare benefits.

I would like to state that the 2.4 percent COLA increase is not a true indication of inflation or the cost of living adjustment. It is important to note that COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), not for senior citizens or the disabled, not either for the population who is under 65 and able-bodied. Senior citizens and disabled people incur so many other expenses and suffer the ravages of inflation in a more profound way. Seniors and disabled people have to spend large sums of money on home care services, housekeeping services, adaptive equipment, medical supplies, transportation and mediation, both over the counter and prescription, in order to improve their quality of life. All of these factors are not taken into account when the CPI is formulated and when COLA for Social Security is also formulated.

In addition, the increase of the Medicare premium for $4 a month raises it to $54 a month and many Medicare services are being cut or limited. Thus the 2.4 percent COLA increase is definitely negated by the $54 increase in monthly premiums for Medicare that are deduced from the Social Security checks. Thus, the most vulnerable part of our population, our seniors and disabled, must go without, and compromise their funds for payment of rent, food, medication and depend upon a low COLA increase and a steep Medicare increase in payments.

We are the largest voting block and we must incur change. Our population is graying and something constructive must be done to save Social Security, Medicare, and yet provide us and our future generations of recipients their due.

Cynthia Groopman

Long Island City

Gets Shot, Says Thanks

To The Editor:

On Oct. 24 my friend and I attended Assemblyman Michael Gianaris’ sponsored free flu shots at N.Y. Weill Cornell Medical Center. It was an excellent experience and everyone connected with it is to be congratulated for a wonderful job. Thank you and well done.

Respectfully

Frank McCann

Andrew Zammarcki

Jackson Heights

Deplores Cuts

To The Editor:

The Transit Authority should be forced to revise its plans for using the 63rd Street Tunnel to avoid a 20 percent cut in rush hour service in its existing more convenient 53rd Street Tunnel. Anything else is a misuse of the more than half a billion dollars in state and federal money it spent on the project. Where do Green and Bloomberg stand on this important transit issue?

Stephen B. Dobrow

President, Committee for Better Transit

Wants More Flags

To The Editor:

Looking back to the beginning of the first year of the new millennium, it is certain that only those few individuals who planned the crash in the World Trade Center could have imagined what the year ahead would bring. For the rest of us, September 11, 2001 came as a great shock.

The memories of this year will be etched forever in the minds and hearts of every New Yorker and every American. I can tell you the gauntlet my emotions ran when I heard of the tragic event at the Twin Towers and I know everyone had the same feelings. We all ache with sadness at the loss of lives in the World Trade Center and at the Pentagon and we pray for the grieving friends and families of those innocent victims.

Through all of our pain, however, we have experienced a limitless outpouring of warmth, compassion and patriotism in our fellow New Yorkers. My heart bursts with pride as I walk or drive through my neighborhood in Whitestone, Queens, and all the surrounding communities as I see American flags displayed on house after house. They fly proudly on so many cars and they are visible on so many storefront windows.

When I see these flags I think of my Dad, Thomas William Puleo, a World War II veteran. In my mind’s eye I see him and all the brave men and women who fought so valiantly to defeat worldwide tyranny and to keep our country free. These American flags are tributes to their service and sacrifices. Those flags represent the finest country in the world and it is a reminder of our forefathers’ vision and all the wonderful things in this great land of ours.

Let’s see more flags flying high and proud.

Rose Marie Puleo Milcetic

Whitestone

Thanks For Pic

To The Editor:

I wish to thank you for placing in the Gazette my photo showing me receiving the City Council Proclamation from Peter Vallone Jr. who was representing his Dad, Speaker Peter Vallone, on the occasion of my 90th birthday. This Proclamation was presented to me honoring my many years of service to the community. Your very extensive story about my life and my involvement in the community was indeed very special, and I thank you for the special honor you, too, bestowed upon me and my family. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would reach 90 years of age.

I feel great physically, but have limitations. My bike riding legs have departed me, and I have to use a cane for help. For a little over a year, I have had problems with my eyes. I had a tumor behind my right eye, which was malignant, and had to have radiation for 24 days. The treatment took care of the tumor, but it affected my vision in the right eye. The treatment also weakened my left eye, causing my cornea to become diseased. I was receiving treatment for a few months, without success. The doctor felt that it was necessary for me to have a cornea transplant. The operation was performed by Dr. Mackool at his institute here in Astoria. I have limited vision now, with the hope it will improve. I have four different drops that I pop into the eyes all day long, and a special drop when I go to bed. So other than that, I again say I feel great, thank God, and I continue to be involved in all my community activities. Once again, thank you, and may you enjoy good health!

Fond regards,

Ted J. Caliendo

Astoria

None Of The Above

To The Editor:

Your recent articles missed the real winner of the Democratic primary and run off elections. With over 2,400,000 eligible enrolled Democratic voters, about 1,700,000 were so turned off by the original five choices (Green, Ferrer, Hevesi, Vallone and Spitz) that they voted for none of the above by staying home. In the Democratic party run off, the same number stayed home. Exit polling showed if Mayor [Rudolph] Guiliani had been on the ballot, he would have beat everyone hands down! The real nominee of the Democratic party for Mayor is "None of the Above."

Mark Green received only 279,000 votes in the primary and 402,000 in the runoff making him the choice of less than 15% of registered Democrats. With over 3,600,000 registered voters of all parties, he currently represents little over 10% of the electorate. This makes him a fringe candidate with no real mandate of support from the average New Yorker.

The real election is in November when voters can decide who can best manage our municipal government and rebuild our local economy. New York City has a budget larger than most states and many nations.

Our city would be better off with an experienced chief executive such as Michael Bloomberg to guide us through the difficult financial times ahead.

Mark Green has already sold his soul to the usual Democratic party clubhouse leaders. Having been locked out of City Hall for eight years, they are drooling at the prospects of renewed access. Clearly his payment for the recent support of former rival Bronx Borough President Freddy Ferrer and company was a political quid pro quo for a piece of the "action" (known as political patronage hiring and awarding of contacts to those with clubhouse connections) after Election Day - November 6th at taxpayers expense!

Sincerely,

Larry Penner

Great Neck