College for seniors, doctors' pay, 'I Voted' stickers, spa customers, water consumption, reckless driving

Extend state college plan to seniors

The Reconnect programs of the State University of New York and City University of New York, already open to adults ages 25-55, are expanding to include adults who already hold college degrees [“Tuition program growing,” News, Oct. 6]. But the age cap is blatant ageism.

I’m a healthy 68-year-old New York State taxpayer. I’d like to avail myself of this program and earn an associate degree because I plan to contribute to society and keep participating in the workforce as I enter the final chapter of my life. After all, my tax dollars help fund the programs. The state should remove the age limit or at least consider raising it.

— Patrick Ahern, Nissequogue

Doctors deserve to be well-paid

The Oct. 25 news article, “$1M-plus pay at LI nonprofits,” lists the salaries for Dr. Joseph Levine and Richard Shlofmitz. Yes, their salaries seem quite high.

However, I have been a patient of Dr. Shlofmitz since 1998. He has saved my life several times. He makes certain that I have the best care. Everyone should be fortunate enough to have these doctors in their corner. I am happy they earn enough so they can care for their patients and not worry about financial issues.

— Emilie Epstein, Jericho

‘I Voted’ sticker was worth it

My wife and I voted early and were given an “I Voted” sticker [“Suffolk says ‘I Voted’ stickers are not worth the cost,” News, Oct. 29]. I was going to ditch it, but I decided to stick it on my jacket. We went to Costco after we voted, and I was surprised at the attention the sticker drew. People asked if the polling site was crowded, what time we voted, and it generated a conversation about the election.

So was it worth the cost? Absolutely yes, much to my surprise.

— Phil Tamberino, South Huntington

Hold spa customers accountable

After reading the entire article, “Why has Islip not done more about illicit spas?” [News, Oct. 29], one glaring point sticks out. The men who are seen going in and out of the spas are never charged. In one case, a man was being violent and people in a neighboring shop called the police. Even this man was not arrested.

Simple economics of supply and demand tells us that this supplier will never stop until the customers who demand it are held accountable. The women who are victims are punished and the owners and clients walk away free.

If Newsday can monitor their comings and goings, why can’t the police? Even a ticket requiring them to appear in court would be a major deterrent. We have Flock and traffic cameras; why not cameras here?

— Kathleen Dubuke, Farmingdale

Raise water price to curb consumption

It was disheartening to read about the Suffolk County Water Authority’s lack of success in curbing water use by homeowners associations (“Businesses among top users of water,” News, Oct. 11). This is a manifestation of Long Islanders undervaluing the most important resource we have — potable drinking water. It’s no wonder water tables are lowering and saltwater is contaminating public supply wells when a significant fraction of residential water use is for lawn irrigation. Many millions of dollars are spent pumping, treating, and distributing water and yet up to 50% of irrigation water is wasted. The SCWA, as a so-called “public benefits” corporation established by state law, needs to be a better steward of the resource they have been entrusted to manage. A big problem is the SCWA mission to “provide customers . . . the highest quality water at the lowest price.” Unfortunately, cheap water is not valued by users. If SCWA wants to reduce water consumption, they should apply basic economic theory — lower use by increasing price. Reducing consumption is critically necessary, especially given the threats that emerging contaminants like PFAS and microplastics pose to water quality.

In the absence of reduced demand, SCWA and its customers are putting future generations of Long Islanders at risk.

— Herb Strobel , Center Moriches

It’s mostly drivers at fault, not roads

It’s not the roads that cause most auto accidents and deaths; it’s the “nut behind the wheel” [“A costly lesson in ignoring road safety,” Letters, Oct. 28].

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 94% of motor vehicle crashes are caused by “driver error.” Speeding contributes to 29%, and cellphones and other distracted driving is a factor in 11% of crashes. Alcohol is involved in 31% of traffic fatalities. Therefore, the most lives would be saved if thousands of reckless dangerous drivers lost their licenses — or, if necessary, their freedom.

— Richard Siegelman, Plainview