Both Elated And Dismayed
To The Editor:

As I begin to write my opinions to share with Gazette readers, feelings of dismay and elation are present.

I am dismayed at the MTA and Con Edison, whose large, high-priced, topheavy management earn all of the big hikes in fares and monies paid by consumers while we, the average consumer, are encountering shutdowns in both transit service and in electrical services. I applaud our governor for looking into the MTA situation and I still cannot understand how our three rainstorms shut down our massive mass transit system.

I also applaud our City Council for taking Con Edison to task. I believe that Con Edison should be split up, either taken over by the city or made into deregulated companies. Competition perhaps will solve the problems.

I am also dismayed upon the veto of our governor of expanding and extending Access-A-Ride past the NYC border so that the elderly and disabled who cannot use public transit or do not own cars are afforded the opportunity to visit doctors in the LIJ area just a few miles from the Queens border. This is violating their freedom of choice and mobility. This is against reasonable accommodations ordered by the American with Disabilities Act.

I do applaud our U.S. Representative, [Carolyn] Maloney for her proposed reforms in credit cards. She has done so much for so many and has dedicated herself to helping her wide variety of constituents. I also applaud our mayor [Michael Bloomberg] for signing on [city Councilmember Peter] Vallone's graffiti bill. This disgusting blight on our city's property finally will be eliminated or punished.

I also commend our mayor for his outstanding coordination of the essential city agencies and services during the vicious storms of August 8. He reassured all with his calm demeanor. His creation of 311 really is a great help to all.

Finally I applaud the organizations who gave grants to developing a student Environmental program and for a generous donation to the Red Cross.

I applaud the positive and let us work together to improve those situations that are dismaying. Cynthia Groopman Long Island City