Letters

Water Dangers Everywhere
To The Editor:

The unfortunate and preventable tragedy that recently occurred on Little Neck Bay is just one of a series of waterway incidents that threaten the lives of our young people. A similar situation occurred Thursday, July 25 on Shinnecock Bay on the East End of Long Island. I was there that day as a witness and as a participant.

Fishing in the waters off Shinnecock Bay near the Shinnecock Inlet was always an enjoyable experience. On Thursday July 25 the bay was choppy with white caps brought about by a strong easterly wind. Very few boats were on the water and we found the fishing to be poor. There were, however, two jet skiers bouncing around on the white capped waters. The strong wind and heavy swells did not offer a safe activity for any jet skier. We thought it strange to see these two so far out in the bay. Last year my friend Richard Romanski and I had to rescue a jet skier whose motor failed and he was being swept out to sea. These two jet skiers seemed to be playing tag with each other. One of the jet skis had what seemed to be a young child as a passenger. We all thought that it was rather foolhardy to have such a young person on board while frolicking on a rather precarious and windswept bay. The boats were traveling at a rather high rate of speed and the bouncing over the swells often lifted the entire jet ski out of the water. We all were concerned that a capsize in these waters could lead to a serious mishap.

One of the jet skiers seemed particularly foolhardy as the boat she was on often came perilously close to the other. On the last pass a sharp turn was made by this driver as she attempted to cut across the stern of the boat in front. The inevitable happened. The next thing I saw were bodies flying all over the water and the cowling of one boat fluttering in the wind. We quickly pulled up our fishing lines and sped to this tragic scene. Two young teenagers were in the water and a small child was holding on to the hull of a jet ski. I threw them a line and brought them up to the boat I noticed that the child’s right leg was twisted in an awkward angle. The right leg was apparently broken. We pulled a teenage girl into the boat and when we reached down for the child I saw blood in the water. A bone protruding from the leg indicated a compound fracture. Our captain, Richard Romanski, had already alerted the Southhampton Town Police. We wrapped a blanket around the child and held her as Richard sped toward the dock several miles away. The Southampton Township police and ambulance squad waiting for us were very professional in their care of the injured child.

The two teenage youngsters piloting the jet skis used extremely poor judgment. This was not a day for that kind of reckless activity. The wind was strong and the bay was filled with white cap swells. To bring a nine-year-old child as passenger into such as hazardous environment, was an act of immaturity and foolishness. To use a jet ski as a casual plaything could ultimately lead to irreversibly dangerous situations. The life of a nine-year-old child was endangered. Uncontrolled and unsupervised use of jet skis has led to numerous accidents, some of them fatal. These unfortunate situations can be prevented by using common sense doctrines. Providing a child with a jet ski as a plaything mandates a deep responsibility on the part of the parent. The two teenage girls displayed great remorse for their actions. However, the burdens and consequences of the July 25 happening may have to be assumed by all of the parents of these children.

Regulations governing the proper use of these dangerous water craft must be initiated, by legislative action. Age limits, licensing, instructional, safety, and operational procedures should be a part of legislative concerns and enactments.

Sincerely,

Chet Szarejko

Little Neck

24th AD Part B District Leader

Proud Mother

This letter from a mother to her son upon his graduation was received at the Gazette

Congratulations, Peter Thomas, on graduating from St. John’s University. You cannot imagine how proud your father, brother Rick, sister Maria Renee and I are of your degree in accounting. As you stood in your cap and gown ready to march into your life’s work to the tune of "Pomp and Circumstance," there were tears of joy in my eyes.

I am sure Peter Thomas that you have some fresh ideas and perspectives to bring to your future career. I know that you have been taught to work, sacrifice, to be honest, to believe in God, to love your country and to take the opportunities given by this wonderful world you live in and to meet the responsibilities it asks of you.

A few years ago I found this lovely poem written by Margaret Johnston Grafflin. I saved it amongst my most treasured papers hoping to give it to you at some appropriate time in the future. That time is now.

Like Mother, Like Son

Do you know that your soul is of my soul such a part,

That you seem to be fibre and core of my heart?

None other can pain me as you, dear, can do,

None other can please me or praise me as you.

Remember the world will be quick with its blame

If shadow or stain ever darken your name.

"Like mother, like son" is a saying so true

The world will judge largely the "mother" by you.

Be yours then the task, if task it shall be,

To force the proud world to do homage to me.

Be sure it will say, when its verdict you’ve won,

"She reaped as she sowed. Lo! This is her son."

Good luck in the future and God bless you, Peter Thomas--as much as He blessed us when He sent you to us.

Peter Thomas’ Mom

Rose Marie Milcetic

Whitestone