I thought I was imagining an increase in air traffic, but then I saw the Letter to the Editor from the school superintendent and the board president here in Port that indicated the traffic had indeed increased and might constitute a noise or safety problem - or both. The letter was followed by an article that detailed how Councilman Pollack had lodged a noise annoyance protest and revealed that Senator Schumer was also interested in the apparent change in flight patterns on the North Shore of Long Island. The issue is what is the impact on safety and sound pollution? I do believe an inquiry is very important - but I also believe it must be comprehensive and fair.

It is important to take stock in and invest in the question as to just what is so critical about these flights, and why must they occur so frequently in the summer, and seemingly, in particular, on Friday evenings, late Sundays and early Monday mornings?

I realize that it is just possible that these small planes, seaplanes and helicopters are carrying critical emergency objects (CEOs), critically fundamental objects (CFOs) and very important peripherals (VIPs) to and from needy or endangered areas on the Island or areas closer to the city.

Perhaps the circumstances and needs related to these CEOs and CFOs and VIPs are more important and critical so that the safety and noise concerns of our area become insignificant.

Again, I write to endorse the efforts of those who are trying to address the safety and noise concerns of this locality, but I do ask them to take stock in and invest in the importance of the inquiry.

Ed Pakel