Readers sound off on a life cut short, an election repeat and landlord liability

Brooklyn: Last Saturday, I lost my cousin Kelson Fleary. He was an educated, caring, considerate and funny young man. Kelson loved to learn and try new things. He loved making people smile. He never wanted to see people cry or be upset.

It was very disheartening to read what the Daily News wrote about him. There was no mention of who he was as a person. Moreover, there was no mention of who he left behind: a heartbroken mother, brother and his 10-year-old daughter, who is refined, beautiful and compassionate. There were no positive highlights about Kelson. It is extremely distressing that The News highlighted the loud music, Kelson’s dropped charges, mortgages not being paid and numerous 311 calls, which had nothing to do with his untimely death. Kelson simply wanted to get something to eat after hanging out with friends he knew for more than 20 years. He left a hole in his Crown Heights (President St.) community. Tears have not stopped since we heard the news. Kelson can never be replaced.

Kelson was killed by an ungodly, uncultured and disgusting man who does not have any respect for life. Your newspaper did not see Kelson as a person, but as sales and dried ink. You highlighted his mistakes instead of the good in his life. Kelson was a proud Black man who knew where he came from and knew where he was going. He loved having daddy-daughter dates. He enjoyed picking up and dropping his daughter to school. He loved being a father. My cousin was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Shernice Johnson

Swannanoa, N.C.: To Voicer Lawrence Fiffer: “Knives can kill just as guns do.” Your words. Stephen Paddock, from at least 320 feet up in his Las Vegas hotel room, opened fire on concert-goers below. Sixty dead and more than 400 wounded from 1,000 rounds fired. Sure, you can kill a person or multiple people with a knife. Plus, if you are dead, you are dead. Aside from that, l think you are comparing apples to oranges. Rob Stimson

Flushing: To Voicer Sorrell Chesin: I think the death penalty is an easy way out for murderers. Their lives are over, but not so for the families and friends of those who were killed. Sure, they’re alive and get fed and cared for, but hopefully, it’s a miserable experience and they have to live out their lives in prison. That’s what they deserve, not an easy way out. Adrienne Derison

Brooklyn: Re “Wet road led to fatal crash” (Aug. 15): No, reckless driving led to the fatal crash. Maybe the family should sue the city for not drying the roads. Josie Oliveri

Huntington, L.I.: It was interesting that you put Voicer Shlomo Klein’s letter about toilet paper at the bottom of the page. Leonard Stevenson

Little Egg Harbor, N.J.: Those of us who enjoyed being in Lahaina and having happy moments in Maui are deeply in mourning for the horrible tragedy that has happened. It will take a great deal of effort to rebuild but it will never be able to capture what was there for centuries. My hope is that when they begin to rebuild, they will place all electrical lines underground. That is the logical way to prevent the high winds always hitting the island from ever igniting another catastrophic tragedy. I mourn and will continue to pray for the hundred or so that suffered and died. Rose S. Wilson

Manhattan: Well, what do you know! Apparently, John Gotti, New York’s original “Teflon Don,” was also taken down by RICO. In April of ‘92, he was convicted under the RICO Act on charges of murder, conspiracy, illegal gambling and tax evasion. He died in prison while serving a life sentence. Makes this week’s news even more fitting, doesn’t it? Anne Stockton

Cincinnati: It is profoundly depressing that our newly elected president next time around, as it stands now, will either be the incumbent or his immediate predecessor — the former an accused grifter entering senility, the latter a berserker trailing indictments and lies. Both political parties are responsible for this deviancy. Here we are, a republic some 330 million strong with millions of citizens far more able and decent than these two likely candidates, some with genuine character and leadership chops, and all stayed by the creaking machines that prop these two losers in place because, well, it takes courage to talk truth to power, and truth is not part of our political palaver. So many of us have become inured to smoke and funhouse mirrors distorting reality for political profit that we are now at this depressing pass. The announced wannabes in both parties have not achieved poll-moving heft as yet and so we stay betwixt two losers. Paul Bloustein

Briarwood: Rudy Giuliani’s inappropriate behavior is not new. If my memory serves me correctly, when Giuliani was mayor, he used NYC taxpayers’ money to pay for police protection for his then-mistress, future wife and now ex-wife. All of those people who are disgusted with Giuliani’s current behavior, why were you not disgusted with him then? Mary Elizabeth Ellis

Bayonne: Gov. Hochul might want to broaden her horizons away from exclusive reliance on support from the State of New York and try to somehow persuade such cities in southern Canada, Delaware, Ohio and Pennsylvania to welcome and house the undocumented folks who are resorting to sleeping on sidewalks in Manhattan via getting rid of the legal obstacles to doing so. Also, with all the climate-controlled malls closing, many in quasi-remote suburban areas, this option might be explored as well, instead of placing temporary housing facilities near schools. Enough already. Something must be done, as Mayor Adams’ hands are tied. Peter A. deMatteo

Wappingers Falls, N.Y.: It was so nice of Mayor Adams to open his arms and offer the migrants the opportunity to come to New York. Well, I guess he bit off more than he can chew and it has now bit him in his butt. NYC is now overwhelmed with these migrants and he is crying that we don’t have the money to support them. Guess what, Eric? You have another major crisis looming in the wings. Did anyone in your administration stop to think that these people are not just going to lay around and not have unprotected sex? Be prepared when they start giving birth — to pay their medical bills, diaper needs and formula needs. They will look at the birth as a blessing since the child will be a U.S. citizen. As a result, they can not be deported and they know that. So, Mr. Mayor, job well done, now let’s see you get out of this one. Stan Siekierski Sr.

Brooklyn: So sidewalk sheds for outdoor dining were made permanent by One-Term Eric. Aren’t sidewalks for pedestrian safety? Real estate in New York City is among the most expensive in the world. Our mayor is giving it away. I want to know when the restaurants will start paying rent to the city. This mayor is messing up this city in so many ways. Kalmus Lowe

Brooklyn: NYC has passed a law making landlords responsible for doing the job that NYC couldn’t do. Landlords will be fined if renters of their stores are selling marijuana. I have to ask, what power do the landlords have to stop their renters from doing what they please? Landlords’ only option is to threaten or start eviction proceedings, which will take months, during which time they will not collect rent and be fined by the city — a lose-lose for them all because the city can’t do its job! T.C. Henry

Hopewell Junction, N.Y.: Breaking: The Yankees hire David Blaine to manage in 2024 and to make ‘23 disappear. Freddy Sacco