NUMC funding, NIFA, Huntington supervisor election, e-bikes

NUMC’s care excels but not its funding

In my 33 years with the Nassau County Police Emergency Ambulance Bureau, a countless number of critical patients have been rushed through the doors of the emergency department at Nassau University Medical Center. We have witnessed “miracles” performed by trauma doctors, nurses, and staff who save lives every day [“In debt and low on cash: Inside NUMC’s struggles,” News, Nov. 2].

These professionals managed their miracles while politicians in Mineola used the hospital as a patronage dump for failed candidates and other politicians with no experience in hospital administration.

During former Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta’s administration, from 1987 to 2001, before the creation of the public benefit corporation, the county financed NUMC, creating millions of dollars in debt, and it never recovered.

No politician wants to be charged with the addition of a new tax, but NUMC should have the ability to maintain financial stability on its own. Nassau Community College has a line on the property tax bill that supports its academic mission. NUMC and the vital services it provides should have the same, ensuring its financial stability.

So, who in Mineola has the courage to propose this to the county legislature?

— James P. Kelly, Huntington

The NUMC saga seemingly is a never-ending soap opera. Isn’t it time to ask Northwell Health to take over all things medical there and have the Nassau Interim Finance Authority work through the financial situation?

NUMC has the dual responsibilities of caring for the less fortunate while not bleeding dry the taxpaying public. This could be a solution that satisfies both concerns. It certainly is a step up from the decades-long nonsense we continue to tolerate.

— Doug Heimowitz, Jericho

County’s excess keeps costing us

I recently saw a bumper sticker that speaks volumes: “LI Taxes — If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.” The article on Nassau County spending nearly quadrupling on certain outside legal work is alarming [“Audit: NIFA bypassed bid process,” Long Island, Oct. 29].

NIFA, the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, was promulgated in 2000 to monitor county finances, and it also produced the 2011 Grant-Thornton Corporate Sustainability Report, which offered a road map to rein in spending in every county department.

Now, 14 years have passed, and Nassau County has failed to act on these cost-saving measures — at taxpayers’ expense. It is a failure that Nassau County executives have not enacted the necessary cost-saving initiatives — many of which are not mandated — that are needed to remove the county from NIFA monitoring.

Nassau needs politicians who put taxpayers ahead of special interests.

— Joe Campbell, Port Washington

Town voters deceived by 3rd-party choice

At age 83, Maria Delgado found out after last week’s election for Huntington Town supervisor had ended that she was on the ballot [“Had ‘no idea’ she was a candidate,” News, Nov. 8]. Delgado, whose daughter said she was a registered Republican, was listed under the liberal Working Families Party for Huntington Town supervisor.

Who is the petitioner who got the required 30 signatures? Accusations of “election hijinks” were made, but this is fraud and deception of the voting public.

Shouldn’t Ed Smyth, the newly reelected Huntington Town supervisor, want to get to the bottom of this apparent chicanery?

— MaryEllen Peck, Huntington

I normally do not get involved in letter writing, but I find the story about Republicans being accused of creating a third-party candidate to tilt election results as despicable and needing to be addressed.

What kind of minds think up finding a woman who has no idea she is on the ballot just to help another candidate win? In this election, if true, the Republican likely would have lost.

This is a bad look for the Town of Huntington. But I am not surprised and, unfortunately, do not think I can do anything about it because this is what American “democracy” has become. It’s another sad day in America.

— Michael Krasowitz, Huntington Station

Look out for kids with e-bikes on our roads

The root causes of crashes such as the heartbreaking one involving Jayden Flores rarely, if ever, are mentioned “Community rallies around family of boy killed,” News, Nov. 8].

First, and most important: Why is a 14-year-old allowed to ride a dangerous and sometimes deadly electric e-bike in the first place? These youngsters are not mature enough to do so. The heartbreak of his mother notwithstanding, why was he riding to school on the e-bike without adult supervision?

Second, regardless of who was at fault, Long Island roads are overcrowded and much too dangerous for a child to be engaged in such activity. Even responsible adults put their lives at risk with such a “fun” item.

Let’s keep a sharp eye out for these children, so more parents and their families won’t be crushed by such tragedies.

— Michael Wagner, Great River