Letters
Thanks
To The Editor:

Once again I have to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your paper and you are the greatest. We all appreciate your fantastic article "Trees Grow In Jackson Heights" [Aug. 20, 2003]. It was the buzz of the town. You make all our hard work enjoyable, when we have you, your paper and our community [to] appreciate all our work.

Once again, thanks a million. All of us in Jackson Heights appreciate your paper.

Joe Ricevuto

Jackson Heights

Too Long Without Power

I read with interest your front page story on the blackout [Aug. 20 edition].

I found the article encouraging. Maybe our borough is becoming more civilized after all.

There is one point I would like to make and that is the length of time the power was out. I live in Jackson Heights and for some reason we were among the last to have the power turned back on. Our power was off for 25 and a half hours.

Thank you.

Marlene A. Hawley

Jackson Heights

Are Lights On In D.C.?

Are the lights on or are they still out?? If one reflects and reviews how easy it is to knock out seven states in one fell swoop, does not anyone think that people with less than better intentions are taking notes?Why does a domino effect work and knock out states one after the other, without a stopgap measure? How many grids or switches does it take to place the entire U. S. in the dark?

Has anyone given serious thought to preserving and protecting the water? Once the lights go out, the purification systems also go. What happens to our reservoirs?

Washington is also taking a bit too long clarifying the causes. It is too easy to say that just a few grids can cause such a chain reaction. This is unacceptable!!! This is the most powerful nation in the world and [should not] have a few loose wires which can shut all its lights. Is anyone in Washington listening or are the "lights still out"?

Archie Mavromatis

Via e-mail

Drink Responsibly

Picnics, barbecues and parties are a Labor Day holiday tradition. Whether the host or a guest at a Labor Day celebration, everyone can help make sure the party is fun and memorable for all.

When hosts practice responsible serving techniques, such as serving non-alcoholic beverages to guests who do not drink and others who are designated drivers and serving guests one drink at a time, parties are safer and more enjoyable for everyone. Likewise, guests who choose to drink in moderation and designate a driver contribute to the success of a party.

Fortunately, there are significant signs of improvement when it comes to preventing drunk driving during the Labor Day  holiday. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Labor Day holiday drunk-driving fatalities are down 45 percent.

By exercising personal responsibility and designating a driver, we can continue to make this Labor Day holiday safe for everyone.

Sincerely,

C.A. Verdon

Consumer Awareness &

Education Coordinator

Anheuser-Busch Sales &

Service of New York, Inc.

Cites Times’ Error

In his recent editorial in the New York Times titled "Believe it, or not", Nicolas D. Kristoff starts the first paragraph with an incorrect statement.

The incorrect statement is as follows: "Today marks the Roman Catholics’ Feast of the Assumption, honoring the moment that they believe God brought the Virgin Mary into Heaven."

The correct statement should not specify or mention any one specific Christian denomination, as it implies that this is "only" a Roman Catholic holiday and therefore no other Christian faith celebrates this holiday.

Please be aware that the Eastern Orthodox Church (I am a member of the Greek Orthodox faith), celebrates this holiday reverently and with no apprehension or doubt. As we are the predecessor religion to Roman Catholicism, it is time that all distinguished journalists be more ecumenical in their task by being careful as to not offend nor mislead the general public with such statements. This type of journalism is in line with what has recently (year 2000), become the inaccurate display/portrayal of Roman Catholicism as the primary representative(s)/spokespeople of all Christianity.

I submit this to you respectfully and hope that you will understand my concern over this error.

Sincerely,

Nick Tavantzis

via e-mail