To The Editor:

I would like to express my opinions and share my views with Gazette readers regarding articles that appeared in the February 28 issue of the newspaper, as well as to discuss another important topic that I just heard on the radio.

Again I thank Assemblymember Gianaris for his extreme concern and deep interest in the Con Edison situation. I am still dismayed at the fact that in a few months summer will be here and again the threat of more power outages and hardships that will be encountered as a result. In indignation, I raise my voice again at PSC [Public Service Commission] and Con Edison for permitting this horrible state of affairs to occur over a period of many years. There is still a great deal of work and improvement to be done. The health, property, safety, and positive quality of life must be protected, enhanced and promoted in the city of New York, and especially in our area.

I am very happy to learn that [the] SBA [Small Business Association] will be giving loans to small businesses in New York City, and thus will improve the economy, and help these owners to achieve economic success. When businesses are booming in our area and in our city, all of us residents triumph.

Lastly, I just heard on the radio that the "Nword" was deleted out of our vocabulary, as a result of the passage of a city council resolution. That word is so barbaric, so cruel, so full of hatred, prejudice and takes us back to the days of blight and slavery. We must avoid and stop using derogatory words that hurt others and deny people their basic human rights. I applaud the city council for enacting such a positive resolution. We must all live together in peace and harmony regardless of race and religion.

I am [also] dismayed upon hearing about the proposed hike in the cost of a postage stamp to 41 cents and of a postal card to 26 cents. To me, these raises in postages, which are happening frequently, are a gross injustice. The mail delivery system is deteriorating in its quality of work, and mail seems to be delivered later and later. Mail delivery is slow, and also the number of people serving us at post offices at the service windows decreases. Many are rude. thought that when the price of a stamp rises, the quality of postal service increases. I support the idea of a forever stamp.

There should be public hearings when proposals or raising postage are planned. With rents rising, food, medication, and doctor bills, people have limited incomes and cannot save. Cynthia Groopman Long Island City