This is one story which offers a window into answering that question. A #Me Too movement may follow.
A tale as such, it involves a 90-year-old lady. While nobody dies, a trust is lost in government. Donald Trump is mentioned. Emphasis, no murder takes place. But perhaps a number of characters, as will be described, should be fired, or at least let go.
So this begins innocently enough with a village street sweeper here in Great Neck.
Making a pass down the 90-year-old-lady’s street the trucks’ rooftop brushes against a few strands of vines. The Wisteria kind. They overhang off the power lines above extending from the lady’s property.
The sweeper is bothered by this. So you could expect that he would call PSEG to rectify the matter, especially since this is what they deal with regularly. And do not charge for when the branches or vines affect power lines along a main street, as in this case (as opposed to power lines extending directly from a house).
But instead, the sweeper, actually a Public Works Supervisor with 21 years experience in the village, and a salary of $120,000, calls in a private Tree Service Company (perhaps a friend?).
A little background on the vines: The 90-year-old lady’s husband (deceased) planted six of them as tiny saplings 55 years ago. They have grown to the width of trees at their base. Their entwinement and bloom given to a magnificence only nature could divine.
So the tree service arrives, and under the supervision of the village supervisor, five of the 6sixare cut completely down, gone. The village (taxpayers) are billed $500.
At this point, some of you might be wondering how all this could have taken place without the 90-year-old Lady’s knowledge or permission.
Might she be in a coma, the sweeper having power of attorney? Wheelchair bound, unable to answer the door to be alerted? Hard of hearing, a phone message gone unanswered? None of the above. Believe it or not, she was out for the hour taking her weekly ballet class. A note: PSEG will ask permission. And never cuts at the base.
The village mayor is called. He responds, “That’s trespassing! Call the police! I have nothing to do with this.”
The village police are then called. Chief of police, “I have a conflict of interest. I cannot further this investigation.” 6th Precinct is called: Officer, “You should call your village police.” “Already did,” the reply.
Same officer, half chuckles, totally bewildered that village chief did not put another Officer on the case, whispers through phone, “Your police chief should retire.”
Finally(kind of), a complaint is filed with the District Attorney of Nassau County.
A two-month investigation ensues. At the end a letter is sent stating, “…evidence does not warrant a criminal prosecution…at this time.”
Apparently, trespassing and destruction of property now falls under the criminal code of evidence must show sweeper groped, then strangled victim with vine.
There are no end to the number of stories that end like this of course. And to repeat, no murder took place. But it does kill one’s belief in the system.
And you add up enough of these stories and its no wonder our Democracy often seems like a demockery.
Still, there may be hope. Letters like this get printed. The masses have been known to rise up. And when all else fails, a Donald Trump can seem not half bad.
If this all reads like a pitch for a documentary to be made about a woman of 90 in grief over outliving her 55-year-old dear Wisteria be sure to not overlook the rolling credits starting from the bottom: Nassau County District Attorney of Shame Madeline Singas.
Richard Shein
Great Neck
