Readers sound off on Local Law 97, Ukraine’s counteroffensive and Trump’s base

Douglaston: Thank you for the op-ed “Go slow on making NYC homes green” (Aug. 5). It was a very polite request to delay the serious pending threat to middle-class co-op owners in our city. My development, Deepdale Gardens, is one of many co-ops under this threat.

The one-size-fits-all Local Law 97, passed in 2019 and due to go into effect shortly, gives no consideration to the diversity of co-op buildings and their residents. Where I live, we were thrown into the same mix as large buildings, but we do not occupy large buildings. In addition, no feasibility studies were done about whether those affected by this law, with its horrific penalties, were able to comply in record time. This goes for many large buildings as well as garden apartments. Like so many theories concocted by well-meaning do-gooders, LL97 is a potential disaster. My co-op is a widely spread array of two-story apartments occupied by seniors, young families with children, singles and others of middle-class means. We are not rich or dwelling in luxury buildings. My development has made my retirement affordable. My apartment is a two-floor walkup with one bathroom. It is not new. I bought it with my life savings in 1997 and now live on a fixed income. The costs of this plan will simply be unmanageable.

Our plight crosses political lines. City Council members from both sides of the aisle, Linda Lee and Vicky Paladino, are among those who have supported our plight. Paladino has initiated Council Intro 913 to delay the implementation of LL97 and provide time to make the necessary changes. Council members, please take heed. Gail Richards

Bethlehem, Pa.: To Voicer Donald Moskowitz: I don’t worry about the oceans rising since ex-President Barack Obama and a host of movie stars all live along the beach. If they aren’t worried about the ocean rising, neither should you. Michael McConnell

Highland Falls, N.Y.: In 1943, the Germans mounted their last great offensive in Russia at a place called Kursk (not far from the present battles). Two armies attacked a Soviet defensive formation that was miles deep, and soon failed. We are seeing a 21st-century replay. When the Russians sent in their first 130,000 reinforcements, they gave them a rifle and a shovel. They have been busy with both. Looking at a map, the obvious Ukrainian move would have been to swing their army to the north around the Russians and come down behind them, the way the U.S. did in Gulf War 1. Putin blocked that by moving his mercenary army into Belarus, along with tactical nukes, leaving Ukraine to battle in a straight-ahead attack doomed to fail. When it does, the clamor for negotiations will begin, and Putin will end up keeping the part of Ukraine he already controls. Good guys don’t always win. Joe Cyr

Washington, N.C.: In regard to the ongoing New York City financial crisis, I would like to submit an idea to every agency and authority except for the NYPD, FDNY and EMS. Every agency’s layers of management should be streamlined. This has been done by a high percentage of larger American organizations since about 1980. It is a way to get things done faster, such as construction projects. This proposal must be achieved by using risk management best practices. If possible, the city should avoid the added expenses of using consultants in this process. Cutting down on consultants in general is also needed. Fewer layers of management can even improve some of the services provided by the city. I recommend that this proposal be implemented between Jan. 1 and July 1 next year. Gary Lefkowitz

Snohomish, Wash.: Kudos to Gov. Hochul for creating more housing and to the Editorial Board for highlighting the importance of the process (“A good development,” Aug. 8). All local efforts are important, as are the ones at the federal level. Congress has legislation before it to encourage builders to create more affordable housing nationwide and a renter tax credit that would slow the rise in homelessness by preventing those in poverty from paying more than 30% of their income for rent. In addition, the American Family Act, introduced by Rep. Ritchie Torres, would reinstate the expanded Child Tax Credit that reached 90% of families and cut child poverty by 46%, helping families pay rent and bills. Let’s encourage these equity initiatives by calling on our members of Congress to pass them. Our voices can help their efforts to deal with these family crises. Willie Dickerson

Staten Island: To Voicer Josh Greenberger: You used the term “in my opinion.” Your opinion, just like anyone else’s, is worth diddly. The person you hold in great esteem is a self-described criminal. Our justice system is investigating crimes that have been committed. Guess who committed them? Your beloved criminal-in-chief. His pursuers are the law. He is a treasonous, lying coward who has been caught red-handed with his tiny little hands jammed deeply into the cookie pot, and now he is doing anything and everything to keep from paying for his crimes. If that’s the kind of leader you want for yourself, get yourself arrested and serve time in the same prison he will be calling home, and continue to worship at his feet — inside, where he can no longer harm this wonderful country. Long live law and order. God bless America. Victor R. Stanwick

Elmont, L.I.: Re Voicer Ann Solomon’s letter: Is anybody listening to our elders that Donald Trump is the second coming of Hitler? Solomon asks, “Who would vote for such a man?” From his first announcement, when he called Mexicans rapists, I thought surely no serious voter would take him seriously, would they? It terrifies me how many people are still taking him seriously today. Kenneth Ruppel

Manhattan: The law is very concise about major infractions against the United States: “Whoever incites, sets afoot, assists or engages in any rebellion against the authority of the U.S. or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years or both, and shall be incapable of holding any office.” Donald Trump told his supporters to “fight like hell” so they stormed the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, and attempted a coup to prevent Joe Biden from becoming the next president. Of all the charges against Trump, our court’s system must make this stick. He gains more support from his base as more charges are brought against him. Republicans need a new suitable candidate. Alan D. Lehrer

Manhattan: To Voicer Robert Brennan: Didn’t Trump have four years to investigate and convict Hillary Clinton? What happened with that? What makes you think he will win now? What makes you think that even if he wins, he can put Democrats in prison? Trump will be in prison long before any Democrat is, I can assure you of that. Richard Simon

Medford, L.I.: I think it’s great that House Republicans are looking into and shedding light on the Biden crime family’s activities. But considering that Biden Crime Inc. already had shell companies, money laundering operations and offshore bank accounts set up as Joe became president in 2021, I believe this is all “small potatoes” and the most important question has yet to be asked: How much money has President Biden made by selling out America’s energy independence and opening the southern border to millions of the hemisphere’s most illiterate and destitute, weakening America with each entrant? Luana Dunn

New Rochelle, N.Y.: Something is wrong when one individual on the subway accidentally kills someone trying to protect others from a mentally ill passenger and gets charged with manslaughter. A week later on another train, a mentally ill passenger slaps a guy’s girlfriend in the face and the boyfriend turns around and stabs him to death. No charges, no problem. Something is wrong with this city. Steve Hopkins