Letter: Senators Should Stand For Our Safety Not Dangerous Political Agenda
Friday, 04 May 2012 00:00
New York’s lawmakers and our many leaders outside government have a choice: stand up for public safety, or keep peddling division and fear.
Let’s start with what’s obvious: say “no” to State Senator George Maziarz (R-North Tonowanda) and his bill for a New York-version of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” the one in the middle of the Trayvon Martin-George Zimmerman trial.
If we change our criminal laws to a vigilante-style “shoot first, ask questions later” policy, we’ll see more weapons used on our streets and our first-responders at greater unnecessary risk every single day.
Senator Maziarz’s bill reminds us that politicians love to pander, misusing legislation just to raise some extra cash and ride the wave of controversial headlines, sometimes all the way to re-election.
Growing up a cop’s son, I think he and his supporters have some nerve trying to make his name off of putting our men and women in blue in even greater danger.
That’s a non-starter, and should be a no-brainer too.
Debating this bill is a ridiculous waste of our time and tax dollars; a distraction from the real concerns working families, like my own, talk about at every kitchen table.
No matter where we live or what we look like, all New Yorkers deserve leaders that understand the difference between public safety and sensationalism.
We need elected officials that we can trust and who actually want to improve our communities’ real problems with real solutions.
We shouldn’t tolerate this kind of irresponsible lawmaking in Albany any more and we should start by making an example of this bill.
Contact State Senator Kemp Hannon and tell him to oppose SB 281.
The senator should be looking out for our safety, not his colleague’s dangerous and wasteful political agenda.
And Senator Maziarz? Cut the bull. Pull the bill.
Kevin Brady
Levittown
News
Friday, 24 May 2013 00:00
Memorial Day weekend is always filled with backyard barbecues, family gatherings, block parties and more, but if you are looking for something different to do during the long weekend, look no farther than the East Meadow Farm.
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
As the budget season drew to a close this week, the Levittown Board of Education did everything in its power to make sure that all residents were fully armed with the correct budget information as they headed to the polls.
Dr. James Grossane, superintendent of schools, went through the most recent budget numbers with attendees at the most recent public meeting on May 14, telling the group that the board decided to go with a 2.98 increase for the 2013-14 school year, within the 2 percent tax cap levy. The district is looking for about $131.9 million from taxpayers for the upcoming school year.
Sports
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
On a beautiful Tuesday afternoon, Frank DeNunzio sat in the bleachers and watched as his son Anthony prepared to bat for the MacArthur Generals. He closed his eyes for a second and was transported back in time to 1981, and for a brief moment he remembered that once-in-a-lifetime feeling of being a member of the Generals Nassau County Championship baseball team. Suddenly, the crack of the bat jolted his eyes open and he watched his son successfully rip his third hit of the game.
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Seaford High School’s Varsity Football Team has a long tradition of success on the playing field, but its service off the gridiron also won praise from the Nassau County High School Football Coaches Association (NCHSFCA) this year. The Conference IV regular season undefeated champions and New York State Scholar Athlete team was awarded the first-ever Community Service Award from the organization during the NCHSFCA Grid Iron Dinner.
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