The New York Times-20080127-Helicopters Above- Discontent Below- -Letter-
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Helicopters Above, Discontent Below; [Letter]
Full Text (593 words)To the Editor:
Your article On the Waterfront, Sound, Fury and a Lawsuit (Jan. 20), about a suit seeking the closing of the West 30th Street Heliport, appears to give Randy Mastro, a representative of Liberty Helicopter, the last word. He expressed concern about the dire consequences for the future of the heliport.
I would like to speak on behalf of the thousands upon thousands of New Yorkers who are disturbed every day by the unrelenting noise and vibrations of helicopter traffic above their homes. No civilized society should permit such horrendous conditions. The peace and well-being of many citizens are being violated for the benefit of a few.
The situation is intolerable, and it is time for our elected officials to correct it.HARRIET FRANK Upper West Side
To the Editor:
A few years ago, my husband and I retired and moved to a luxury condominium on the Hudson River facing Midtown. For us, it was a dream come true. Our condo building was one of the first built along New Jersey's Gold Coast. which for many years was uninhabitable property.
Unfortunately, we live directly across from the West 30th Street Heliport, where activity has been greatly accelerated in recent years. Tourist helicopter flights run along the coastline nonstop. Helicopters hover over our residences while waiting to land. They begin early and continue well into the evening.
We can't open our windows; nor can we sit on our lovely balcony in nice weather. We can't entertain because of the noise and vibration. Last summer, a helicopter crashed into the river near where we live. It could easily have plunged into our building. We are frightened.
A certain level of noise is expected near the city; however, this makes life impossible.ANNE ROGASKIWeehawken, N.J.
From the Killing Fields to a Bronx Heaven
To the Editor:
As a survivor of the killing fields of Cambodia who came to the Bronx in 1982, I feel bad for the Bronx community after reading Little Cambodia, Growing Still Littler (Urban Tactics, Jan. 20).
I lost my family, like everyone else. I worked hard, saved money and opened a hair salon in 1990. I am married with two children, and we moved to Westchester three years ago for better education.
But we all should appreciate the Bronx. It doesn't matter how difficult it is; the Bronx gave me and other Cambodian refugees the place to start. To me, the Bronx is like heaven.MARSHALL KIMScarsdale, N.Y.
Friendship, Trust and Bensonhurst
To the Editor:
I thoroughly enjoyed Johnny Boy's Excellent Adventure (Jan. 20), about an annual reunion of Bensonhurst friends and former enemies. I, too, grew up on Bay 13th Street, a k a the block, and while I have not attended any of the past events, your article describes a group of the greatest people, living in a period when the bond of friendship and trust were second to none.
I've tried to describe to my children what growing up in a neighborhood meant. I've always felt they never understood its significance. Your article only confirmed what I have felt my entire life. I am proud to be from that block and to know all of those people.
ROBERT COLLEGIONew Dorp, Staten Island
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[Illustration]PHOTO (PHOTOGRAPH BY DIMA GAVRYSH FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES)