Letters

I found Thomas Jones’s letter [“Lucky To Have LaLota,” Letters, September 4] very disturbing. He praises Congressman Nick LaLota without examples of accomplishments. He excuses LaLota for no town halls. Constituents cannot ask questions or voice concerns.

I remember Congressman Otis Pike; perhaps Jones didn’t live here then. Pike was a local person, born in Riverhead, knew many of his constituents and worked hard in Congress. It was a “we’re all in this boat together” time.

When Pike felt like he had not given 100 percent (he had missed a couple of votes), he decided his constituents deserved better and did not seek reelection, even though he would have won. He sent a letter to his constituents saying exactly that.

His letter stuck with me, and I often think how much better Congress would be if our leaders did what was best for the country rather than trying to hold on to their jobs.

Although LaLota promised to move to the 1st District if elected, he still does not. The Express News Group extended invitations to LaLota to address his constituents in person [“A Seat Awaits,” Editorial, August 21]; constituents have asked, too. But LaLota turns a deaf ear.

Primarily, he talks about SALT as if it were an accomplishment, but Republicans eliminated it in the first place. He will not speak about the “Big, Beautiful Bill” because most of the cuts will not go into effect until after the midterms. Clever.

LaLota uses his time to post photos of pizza, and to complain about New York, rather than fulfilling congressional duties.

I have lived through various hurricanes. In the 1950s, it was Carol and Edna. At that time, we lived in an old house on Madison Street; pots were placed to catch the rainwater from areas where the roof leaked. Boats and debris washed into the end of Main Street.

We have not had a major hurricane in a long time, but warmer ocean waters and storm intensities increasing make it a matter of time. Our worries are the cuts to FEMA, cuts to NOAA, the possible elimination of weather satellites. What is LaLota doing to protect us from the elimination of necessary services? Complaining about New York doesn’t remedy the situation.

LaLota remains silent on the release of the Epstein files. Don’t victims, sexually abused children, deserve justice? Why was Ghislaine Maxwell, their abuser and groomer, moved to a club prison?

When the founders drew up the Constitution, the power of the purse was given to Congress to prevent a dictator. Congress seems to have abdicated this responsibility, as well as its role in checks and balances. What is LaLota doing to protect Congress’s role and duty?

In a democracy, a constitutional republic, it is the responsibility of citizens to question.

Carol Gloninger

North Haven