Letter: Dogs Are Man’s Best Friend, But Not in Port Washington

Did you know that approximately 45 percent of the U.S. population owns at least one dog. The most recent census indicates we have just over 5,500 households which means approximately 2,000 dogs call Port Washington home. I believe that the majority of dog owners would agree that their pet canine is an integral part of their life and family. With their never ending need to please, our dogs bring joy and unconditional love to our lives. Compared to the generous gifts they dispense, dogs just require basic care, food, water and most importantly socialization. This is a small price to pay, which is why we have so many dog owners living in our community.

Letter: Raising a Bully Should Not Be the Answer

As parents, our hearts sank as we read of a mother’s pain, and sympathized with her plight. But it is difficult to read a letter advocating bullying as a teachable and acceptable behavior. While it’s painful to admit, bullying does go on, and sad to say, is as much a part of growing up as pimples and puberty, but to encourage bullying can’t be the answer.

Letter: Your Intelligent Informed Vote – Dec. 8

There are seven people (four women, three men) running to be elected to one three-year term as police district commissioner. Vote Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the Polish American Hall.

There’s a “get-to-know the candidates” meeting hosted by the League of Women Voters at the Port Washington Library on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Letter: Is It Too Late to Raise a Bully?

I would like to believe that we all want to instill kindness into our children. I want to believe that this is what seperates adults from our offspring, since every one of us has at some point been a victim of the social nastiness that comes with childhood. As grownups we have learned that it does not matter how popular you were in high school. We all find a place of comfort and acceptance that creates the confidence to excel in life and prosper in society. This is what I would like to believe. I would like to believe in the kindness of grown ups. I think I might be dead wrong.

Letter: New Bottle Bill Requirements Begin Nov. 8

The New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR) is spreading the word that the extended Bottle Bill begins Sunday, November 8, 2009. The extended bill was originally set to begin this Saturday, October 31, but New York officials are giving retailers a “grace period” to comply with the new requirement (according to Department of Environmental Conservation spokesperson Maureen Wren).

Letter: Bald Eagle Returns to Shores of Peninsula

I have no idea if this has anything to do with the reclamation project at Mill Pond or Shields creek, but I am happy to report that, on Oct. 25, I sighted a mature bald eagle circling over the shoreline of Manhasset Bay, near Mill Pond. It was clearly a bald eagle and not an osprey since I see osprey quite frequently around Port, both over Manhasset Bay and Roslyn Harbor. While I believed it improbable that I would ever see a bald eagle over such a densely populated area as Port Washington, the NY State Department of Conservation (DEC) has reported a significant increase in the number of bald eagles in southern New York over the last five years. So, Porties, keep your eyes out for our national bird and if you see one, please report it to the NY DEC.

Greg Winter

Letter: Appreciates Bob Clarke

In a front page article for the April 30 edition of the Port News, editor Jackie Pierangelo detailed the sad story of how my financial and other resources were plundered by my former “caregiver.” From that point I was surprised and gratified how Nassau County and the State of New York literally “came to bat” for me.

Letter: Don Axinn, INN Angel

(Editor’s note: The following memorial is from an email that The Interfaith Nutrition Network’s (INN) Executive Director Jean Kelly sent to board members of The INN following the death of Don Axinn. When we asked if it could be published, it was requested that we include that one of Mr. Axinn’s last wishes was that anyone wishing to do so, may make a contribution in his memory to The INN. )

Editorial: Support Our Local Businesses

Members of the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce are this year’s Pride in Port Grand Marshals. We feel this is a well-deserved honor. It is also a good opportunity to remind the community about the benefits of shopping locally, especially during these difficult economic times.

Letter: Religious Public School Calendar

I would like to comment on the recent letter to the editor regarding religious holidays being called just “recess” and our schools taking federal money with “In God We Trust” on it.

I believe the logic that the Port Washington school board had with respect to omitting the religious names on days when the school is closed as recess is due to the fact that we are a multi-religious community. Days which the Port Washington schools are closed are either American holidays, such as Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Thanksgiving, etc., or days of major religious significance to the vast majority of Port Washington residents, such as Christmas and Yom Kippur.