Dubai Deal Needs Thought
To The Editor:

At this time I would like to weigh in on the Dubai Ports World company slated to take control of shipping operations at six U.S. ports, including New York and New Jersey, even though the deal is on hold for now. Like many of my fellow Americans, I cannot understand how this deal could have even been considered. Maybe those in Washington were asleep at the helm, especially when you take into account so much information that has accrued since the 9/11 attacks. For instance, Al Qaeda warned the government of the United Arab Emirates [UAE] more than three years ago that they had infiltrated key government agencies, according to a document released by the U.S. military. We also know that two of the 9/11 hijackers came from the UAE . Also, reported on Nov. 1, 2001 by Elizabeth Bryant, a UPI reporter, that Osama Bin Laden had [allegedly] been a patient in a Dubai hospital and was treated there. In addition to that, between 1996 and 1998 Bin Laden made several trips to Dubai on business, though I wonder what kind of business, maybe terrorism? It has also been suggested the controversial UAE port deal could be used by terrorists to sneak money ad personnel into the United States. It seems Al Qaeda has people in the UAE as it also has in Arabia, Pakistan, Qatar, and Kuwait. My question to our leaders is, are we giving our enemies the keys to the store? This deal must be stopped by all means, even if it takes an Act of Congress. Furthermore I hope Senators Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer's measure to suspend the Dubai port deal, pending a 45-day investigation is successful. For remember this, the safety and security of our great nation is at stake, for we are living in the land of the free. Lets keep it that way. Sincerely yours, Frederick R. Bedell Jr. Bellerose

Welcomes Silvercup Growth To The Editor:

How delighted I was to read in the pages of the March 1, 2006 issue of the Gazette that there will be the expanding of the Silvercup Studios in Long Island City, in addition to the building of an entirely new and exciting area of residences, business areas [and] shopping facilities. This will create a wonderful, exciting area in Long Island City that will enhance the economic thriving of Queens. New jobs, both permanent and temporary will be created and our economy will be positively enhanced, growing and flourishing like the springtime flowers.

As a Long Island City resident for most of my life, I remember the Silvercup [Bakeries] possessed the rich aroma and delicious fragrances of freshly baked bread. Now, a different kind of bread, namely money and economic enrichment, will be created. Thanks, Gazette, for providing us with a piece of good news. In this time of bad news and of war, blight, sorrow and terrorism, the good news that you present through your well-written articles is deeply appreciated and puts us in the optimistic frame of mind. Cynthia Groopman Long Island City

Protest School Closing Copies of the following letters were received by the Gazette. Dear Parents, Teachers and Parishioners of American Martyrs Parish:

This is one of the saddest letters I have to write to you! Over the past few weeks, all of the parishioners, young and old, have shown me a warm welcome and expressed a strong hope that "something can be done with regard to our school". I experienced firsthand the joy and talent of the students during two assemblies in preparation for Presidents' Day. I was introduced to all the students and teachers of each grade in the classrooms. The great spirit and learning capabilities and talents of the students was evident and the deep dedication of the faculty and principal was obvious.

There had been meetings before I came and many meetings since I came. The statistical data, the Finance Committee recommendations, the findings of the recently retired pastor, the declining enrollment, the large deficits over the past few years, the consultation with the Superintendent of Schools and with Bishop DiMarzio himself, all led to the necessary conclusion that American Martyrs School will not be able to open its doors after this school year.

In 2001-2002, the enrollment in K-8 was 223 students. The next year it was 216, then 210, then 185 and this year 176. Middle States Projections for 2007 are just 132 students. The parish has been subsidizing the school to the approximate amount of $75,000 per year for the last four years. This year's projected deficit is $118,000, which will have to come from the parish-school reserves. This will leave the parish very close to bankruptcy.

In his weekly Tablet columns, Bishop DiMarzio has sincerely expressed his commitment to Catholic elementary schools. "Catholic schools are such a precious gift that must be preserved and handed down to the future." In spite of our particular parish decision, the school office has arranged an immediate workable plan of affiliation with one of the Catholic schools in our neighborhood, St. Robert Bellarmine School, which is exactly one mile away. All of our children will have a guaranteed seat there if the family so chooses.

We will have assistance on every level to make the transition as easy as possible. Open house and registration will be scheduled on Thursday,Mar. 9 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Mar. 10 at 9:30 a.m. for just our students and their parents at St. Robert's. This will assist our families and teachers to make plans as easy as possible.

As I mentioned in my opening remarks to all the parishioners a couple of weeks ago, I worked in the Catholic school ministry for 20 years. I love the children and consider it a primary ministry of the parish leadership. I promise you that I will do all I can to help the children make a smooth transition to a new school environment and to support and assist in any way I can to make it a smooth transition.

Please pray for our children and their families. I know that our principal and our teachers will continue their loving care and professional guidance in the weeks and months ahead to ease the pain and encourage helpful decisions. With heartfelt caring, Monsignor George F. Zatarga Administrator American Martyrs Parish Bayside

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio Diocese of Brooklyn 75 Green Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11202 Dear Bishop DiMarzio:

Some say they expect American Martyrs parents and parishioners to be angry. The crude reality is that we are beyond angry and are, in fact, disgusted and highly disappointed with the decision to close American Martyrs School for falsified reasons.

In our many years as devoted parishioners, we have obediently obliged and supported our parish and other parishes, Roman Catholic efforts and charities, and followed in our beliefs "religiously" through the faith of American Martyrs. Fully knowing the real scenario at American Martyrs, our eyes are completely open to the false representation of our school and parish and the manipulated process that has been undertaken by the Diocese to close the school.

In specific response to the letter sent by Administrator Monsignor [George F.] Zatarga, the Diocese allowed him to send out a letter with inaccurate financials and misinformation:

+The parish has not been subsidizing the school to the approximate amount of $75,000 per year for the last four years.

Fact: The school needed a subsidy last year, but no subsidy should have ever been necessary had the designated school funds been properly allocated. As you know, the AM Bingo fundraising was established by parents more than 15 years ago as a legally declared fundraiser specifically for the school. Monsignor Keppler chose a number of years ago to redirect the funds from the school without anyone's knowledge.

Fact: Monthly church collections designated for the school have not been allocated to the school for multiple years-without the knowledge of giving parents and supporting parishioners.

Fact: According to members on the Finance Committee noted in the letter, they did not provide the recommendation for the school to close. They didn't even have a full perspective of parish and school finances.

+The decision to close the school was not a parish decision.

Fact: More than 1,100 petitions were presented to the Diocese cementing the parish' commitment to the school. Parishioners were an integral part of meetings along with parents, teachers and Diocesan officials to market enrollment in the school and create new and viable plans.

Fact: In the last meeting with parents and the Diocese the Superintendent [who was] also mentioned in the letter, was not present and, therefore, could not have a full scope of specifics addressed at the meeting to make an equitable decision.

Fact The projected deficit of $118,000 has never been substantiated. Multiple requests to open the parish and school records have gone unheard.

Fact: Our former pastor, Monsignor Keppler, mysteriously left in the middle of our questionable state and our temporary pastor has not been given an accurate overview.

The Diocese established a precedent in recent years to provide endangered schools with at least one year to market, fundraise and increase enrollment.We were never provided any chance. In fact, our hands were basically tied when months ago all marketing efforts were halted and registration was postponed.

We have always existed as a small school, under 200 students, and our financial calculations indicate that with our properly designated and allocated tuition, fundraising and marketing efforts the school would be more than self sufficient.

Fact: The school should be allowed to flourish and continue to provide one of the highest levels of education in Queens. Other schools were given reprieves such as Sacred Heart, St. Stephen, St. Leo, St. Stanislaus and we learned that St. Finbar is continuing to operate with only 130 students.

+Why is it that schools with less parish support and severely strapped parishes are being allowed to remain open and are given more than a year to improve?

+Why is it that less fortunate parishes have continuously benefited from the contributions of American Martyrs parishioners yet we can't help ourselves for the first time when the need is real and ours?

+Why would one of the highest income areas in Queens with a real influx of students and real school demand close?

+What plans are already in place for the prime real estate of the school grounds?

The Office of School Support Services made very few attempts to really understand American Martyrs. They were disinterested "support" personnel and did not have a vested interest in our school and parish and underestimated the parents and parishioners of American Martyrs. In fact, when some parents were approached about a possible merger with St. Roberts, specific plans were created to support an equitable merger, but those too were tossed aside. The historic and honorary academic standards of American Martyrs students and faculty are completely being discarded. In fact, the Diocese is taking jobs away from some of the best teachers- some who will also be stripped of their full pensions.

Monsignor Zatarga was obviously provided misinformation on the school and the parish's state and thus went along with the decision previously made by Monsignor Keppler to close the school. But misinformation has cost lives in the past and misinformation is now blindly shutting down the future of Catholic education at American Martyrs and to all the parents and parishioners who believe in it.

We challenge you, Bishop DiMarzio, to find the justice in any of this. With the mire of misinformation, instead of "putting out into the deep," you have drowned American Martyrs.

The very leaders we have trusted for years basically lied to us, kept information from us and didn't work with us as we had repeatedly requested.

Everyone in this decision making process has been pointing fingers at everyone else- it's time for someone to be honest. We deserved a chance; we could have maintained a perfectly well-run Catholic school; the dedication of the parents and parishioners could have been used to meet and surpass any financial shortcomings as we have always come to the immediate aid of others. Our situation is completely different from that of other schools which have closed or are due to close.

American Martyrs is self-sufficient, has enough enrollment, has an exemplary and prepared faculty (unlike other schools) plus has the financial and parent support needed to remain open.We deserve justice, we demand answers to all our questions and the real financial records should be opened to the public. With heartfelt grief, American Martyrs Parents & Parishioners Bayside

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