Clavin's mystery job, mosque in Oyster Bay Town, Giuliani medal, more

Is Clavin’s action a theft of funds?

I agree that the whole scenario about Donald X. Clavin stinks [“Clavin ‘bridge’ job begs explanation,” Editorial, Sept. 2]. I’ll take it one step further. This appears to be a theft of taxpayer funds in the form of a fabricated job to keep paying Clavin his salary while he waited for his move to the Nassau County courts.

This was his pay for agreeing to step down and anoint his Republican successor so that new Town Supervisor John Ferretti can run as an incumbent.

This is right out of the Nassau GOP playbook with the last example being Anthony Santino replacing Kate Murray. I am a lifelong Republican, but in this year’s election, I will vote Democratic.

— Jerry Howard, East Meadow

Donald X. Clavin allegedly “worked” for the Town of Hempstead at a closed building for 17 days after resigning as town supervisor. He made about $8,000 during that time. Clavin should do the right thing and return the money to the Town of Hempstead. If not, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly should subpoena his cellphone site records and see where he was for those 17 days.

— Vincent Stephan, Sayville

Town should keep mosque agreement

I am a Bethpage resident, and I support the Masjid Al-Baqi community “Mosque battle reignites,” News, Aug. 30]. The Town of Oyster Bay should adhere to the original mutually agreed upon plans for construction of the new worship center.

Instead of spending millions of dollars more of our taxes on lawyer and court fees, aiding and supporting one of our worshipping communities helps to make “Bethpage Strong” and the Town of Oyster Bay the desirable living community it is.

Further delay by the town will allow a simmering concern to grow larger than necessary and would not be helpful to the well-being of the local and larger communities.

— Pat Leonard, Bethpage

Investigate office of medical misconduct

It’s horrifying that Dr. Alexios Apazidis continues to practice surgery [“LI woman sues doc for malpractice, negligence,” News, Aug. 29]. His license was suspended in 2015 after admitting to negligence. Newsday should next investigate the state Office of Professional Medical Conduct. It appears it has been negligent in letting doctors like Apazidis continue to practice.

— Susan Masone, Huntington

Birds of a feather don’t flock together

I’m confused. “T-Birds” is state approved, while “Thunderbirds” is not [“Opponents weigh in on ‘T-Birds’ mascot plan,” News, Aug. 30]. The school district has already spent nearly $50,000 litigating the mascot ban and possibly up to $323,000 more.

All in a district named Connetquot? Does anyone see the irony here?

— Saul Rothenberg, Rochdale Village, Queens

Giuliani deserves medal — not this one

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is supposed to be awarded to individuals who have made “especially meritorious contributions” to the security or national interests of the United States or world peace “Giuliani to be given Medal of Freedom,” News, Sept. 2].

But on Jan. 6, 2021, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani helped incite the Capitol insurrection by warming up the crowd for President Donald Trump’s “If you don’t fight like hell you’re not going to have a country” with his own statement: “Let’s have trial by combat. . . . We’re going to fight to the very end.”

So the only medal Giuliani should be considered for is a “Medal of Incitement.”

— Richard Siegelman, Plainview

Tax the harvesting of horseshoe crabs

The solution to this problem is simple [“Horseshoe crabs on ‘decline,’ ” News, Aug. 30]. Heavily tax every horseshoe crab harvested daily with 90% of the revenues going to horseshoe farms and promoting and enhancing commercial fishing. I would then expand this to clams, oysters, fish, etc.

The key is to replenish and encourage nature to bloom and expand, which benefits the Earth, commercial fishermen and all of us on Long Island. It’s not difficult, when using American ingenuity for the common good.

I love Long Island’s beaches and waterfront. I was one of those Jones Beach bums. Tourists travel thousands of miles to enjoy our gorgeous beaches. I favor active environmentalism that is profitable.

— Alan H. Cohn, Nesconset

Can everyone afford the benefits of LI?

A reader is correct in that Long Island offers much in the way of beaches, restaurants, farms, and vineyards, as well as numerous forms of entertainment [“LI: We just live in a nice place,” Musings, Sept. 1].

But the question remains: Is this affordable to all?

— Mike Baard, Merrick