After reading the Roslyn Times article about air traffic and noise from planes using JFK and LGA airports, it is obvious that local officials need help to change the traffic pattern.
Mayor Koblenz in East Hills is an excellent mayor. He is smart, effective and aggressive.
Yet he was only able to get a “suggestion” letter from our elected representatives in the U.S. Congress (senators Schumer and Gillibrand and representatives Israel and Meng).
To be powerful, such a letter needs to demand a reply within 60 days, needs to ask where noise monitors would be placed and how many would be installed, needs to ask whether the noise monitors were available and how long it would take to obtain and install them, needs to ask how much it would cost and whether an appropriation of money from the state or federal government would be required. In sum, the letter was useless and quite possibly sent only to appease us and make us think something was happening.
The problems we face are threefold:
1. – Because of the noise, the value of our homes decreased 10 to 15 percent; who wants to live with noise 24 hours a day?
2. – Because of the noise, the value of our educational system is lowered. If a child cannot sleep at night because of the noise, it will be difficult for that tired child to learn during the day.
3. – The determination of flight paths is left to bureaucrats. Our bureaucrats, like bureaucrats all over the world, will do nothing unless very strongly pressed.
For instance, I’m told something or someone obviously convinced them to change the flight paths so as not to have noise at the U.S. Open tennis matches in Queens.
Apparently, the comfort of tennis players and fans from all over the world for just a few hours is more important than the comfort of resident taxpayers. Isn’t it time we took the government back?
Our elected representatives could put teeth in their letter by suggesting that civilian airports be closed between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., and that they would propose legislation to do this. That proposal might have gotten the bureaucrats’ attention.
As for the noise monitors, we don’t need them.
Invite the bureaucrats to our neighborhood, they will hear the noise.
Since our elected representatives have not acted for us they should be replaced.
A movement to do this would also get their attention and motivate them to act.
Most of the people in our area are ordinary people, but we are capable of getting extraordinary results. This land is our land, but only if we say to the bureaucrats, “Do something.”
If anyone wants to join this effort please contact me at zevinmarvin@yahoo.com.
Marvin Zevin
East Hills
