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                                    EditorialsJust a Little VoteThere is certainly much that is grimy and sordid about politics%u2014 and about every political rare, no matter how small. But thereis also, always, excitement and intrigue; that element of theunknown, the indecipheral, the unforseeable. Against all odds,all predictions, there is always that chance. The chance to win.The weather may be good or bad; the newspapers may be onstrike or in operation; the candidate may have had millions tospend or none at all. A chance and immediately regretedstatement may tip the scales.And the political scientists, the television commentators, thenewspaper columnists and the clubhouse cronies will analyze theoutcome in nearly tedious detail. But ultimately, by whim or byreason, method or madness, it%u2019s the voter who has the say.The power of the vote %u2014 each vote %u2014 is one we tend to losesight of; that curiously simple mechanism which when put to use,is a complex and confounding thing indeed. That poower is onethat was brought home locally once again in Tuesday%u2019s primarywhen Murray Weinstein, a politically-unknown and eleventhhour substitute candidate, beat incumbent Assemblyman StanleySteingut in Flatbush%u2019s 41st A.D., perhaps ending the elsewherepowerful Speaker%u2019s 25 year tenure. In a low turn-out election, avirtual handful of voters made %u2014 or undid %u2014 history.It may cause a shake-up in the Assembly. It has caused ashake-up already in Flatbush. It will have state and city-widereverberations. It is already the hottest news of the political%u201cseason%u201d and will undoubtedly become the most analyzed andtalked about race for weeks to come.All because someone took a big gamble %u2014 and won. Politicsmay be business, but it%u2019s just that element of suprise that makesit such a passionate narcotic to many and one heck of a lot of funto observers like us.Sound Off Feedback from ReadersTouching TributeTo honor the memory of Pope Paul VI on Saturday, August 20, I attended a special mass at St. Stephens Church on Summit St. Father Gallo gave a touching tribute to the late pontiff. The Church was filled despite the dinner hour (6:30 p.m.), and the oppressive heat and humidity. The Carroll Gardens-Red Hook areas were truly saddened by the death of this great Pope.Equal, however, was the great joy when Albino Luciani, the Patriarch of Venice, became Pope John Paul I. Even the children on my block shouted with joy. Our new Pope will have the goodness of John and the brilliance of Paul. He appears to be a truly humble man. Let us all wish him well. Viva II Papa!%u2014Nino Pantanolong as there is a vacancy rate of 10% or under.4. No increase granted where landlords are in default on real estate taxes, where there are violations against the property, or where the landlords fail to comply with the provisions of the Warranty of Habitability Law.5. Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemptions would be improved for all persons 62 years of age and older. The limitation on family income would be raised from the present $6500 to $7500 and rents would be rolled back to 25% of income.The members of the St. Charles Jubilee Center strongly urge you to support bills A12969 and S10218, so that they become law in 1978.No ReplyThe members of the St. Charles Jubilee Center sent a letter dated June 20, 1978; a copy of this letter is enclosed. As of today, Aug . 30, 1978, we hr e received no reply from Governor Carey %u00bb; his office. Please print he copy of this It er and our letter to the PHOENIX.The letter of June 20, 1978 urges Governor Carey to support A12969/ S10218, The Public Protection Act, so that it would become law in 1978. Senator John Flynn introduced S10218 and Assemblyman John Learie introduced A12969.This act would place all rental housing in New York State under a single system, adm inistered by the state, protecting tenants%u2019 rights to repairs, services, and limiting rent increases. For example, one section relates to no increases granted where landlords are in default on real estate taxes,, where there are violations against the property, or where the landlord fails to comply with the Warranty of Habitability Law.The Rent Control Law expires in 1979, but the governor and the legislators are running for election in 1978. We need a commitment from Governor Carey on the Public Protection Act.%u2014Anne Cohen,Chairperson, Social Action Committee, St.Charles Jubilee Conter, Hicks StreetDear Governor Carey,For too many New Yorkers, living in rented apartments, home is not home any more. It is too difficult to have necessary repairs made, the uncertainty of keeping warm in the winter, and last but not least worrying how to pay the constant increases in rent.We need state-wic'e mandatory rent control so that there will be affordable, habitable housing for young and old. Such bills have been introduced by Assemblyman John Dearie A12969 and Senator John Flynn S19218.These bills would accomplish the following:1. Place all rental housing under a single system, administered by the state.2. Grant rent increases only when building fails to yield the legal rate of return.3. Be applicable on a state-wide basis aseither misleading or blatantly untrue%u201d. (Sound Off, July 29). Her references are to the food program for women, infants and children (the WIC program) in Ft. Greene, and receiving tax abatement for the Pratt Area Community Council (PACC).The fact is that I was thoroughly involved in the WIC program, securing state approval for Ft. Greene after several meetings in my Albany office together with Robert Wiialen, Commissioner of Health, Inard Persaudt, Executive Director of Cumberland Hospital, Emile Curry, Olivette Thompson and others. I assisted Pratt Area Community Council in securing their tax free Federal status. I have been a member of PACC for several years and I have yet to meet Ms. Montgomery at a meeting.It behooves Ms. Montgomery to print a retraction-Harvey Streizin, Assemblyman, 57th A DIn NeedMany o ld er people are in need of household repairs which they cannot afford.As a m em ber of the St. C harles Jubilee C enter, 1 would like to participate in m aking this service possible. The St. C harles Jubilee C enter will let us use the wood w orking shop. But we need tools, a counselor and people willing to give of their time.Please join us in making a household repair service for o ld er people possible. K indly w rite to: C harles C ipolla, St. C harles Jubilee C enter, 277 Hicks St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201.Charles Cipolla,Si. Charles Jubilee CenlerUpsetting3 9 B A T L A N T IC A V E .B R O O K LYN , N.y. 112.17Should Have CheckedShooting from the hip without any intention of hitting the target is an act of irresponsibility that hardly becomes a candidate for elective office.Velmanette Montgomery should have checked my most recent Albany report before concluding that \We were very upset to receive a letter from Mayor Koch asking our support for Congressman Richmond for re-election.We agree with the Mayor that Mr. Richmond has a good record on some issues and we have supported him in the past.What is the Mayor saying to all young people, black and white, by endorsing a public official who engages in personal behavior that is totally unacceptable? We are in no way against homosexual relationships between consenting adults. But to arrange for a group of young black boys to be made available for sex in exchange for money is different. It amounts to promoting adolescent prostitution.The fact that Richmond is getting bicaluitriil iui what lie now sees as a problem shows poor judgement. He should have sought treatment long before he was caught.We find it almost unbelievable that the Mayor and numerous other supposedly serious politicians can condone such behavior%u2014Elizabeth and David Elwyn, KaneStreet.Considering FumesCan anyone tell me whether carbon monoxide fumes rise, fall, or just stay at the level at which they are expelled, barring wind?Three rows of cars made a steady stream under the Promenade and their fumes go somewhere! With their exit route covered top, bottom, and on one side, don%u2019t the fumes come up to visit the promenaders? Do they all blow out over the codks and the water? Hardly likely.Perhaps some sort of baffle would guide them away. Barring that. I%u2019ll walk in the park and enjoy the smell of what the pooper scooper miss. 1 think it%u2019s healthier. F. Wyder, Hotel St. GeorgeOn VolunteersNot much praise is given to our volunteer workers and I wish to write my views about them.To be a volunteer worker, a person must first love people in general. But what%u2019s unique about them is that they when helping others, never expect anything in return nor make anyone feel burdened.Volunteering is usually expressed at times when someone is in danger or need thus making people feel secure when frightened, comfortable when hurt, confident when shy and companionship for the lonely.So what%u2019s the response for the volunteer worker? It%u2019s gratification. But is gratification enough. They should be applauded for the jewels of their character in the giving of their time and kindness to others.But 1 do know that people that do volunteer work have all one thing in common, it%u2019s their host of friends. If they don%u2019t let you down why should we let them down?I say %u201churrah%u201d to all of them and more volunteering for initial and continuing success. Mary Scannablno, Court StreetLet us hearI I A %u25a0 %u25a0!! 11 j y j u %u2022Post haste!THE FTjCENlK'.3 9 5 At l a n t ic8%u00a3 ry N .,N .y 112.17September 14,1978, THE PHOENIX, Page 11
                                
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