Ellis ER must fix long wait times for care
It’s 3:30 a.m. and we’re sitting in Ellis Hospital ER. We’ve been here since 5:30 p.m. There’s no end in sight. My daughter is in horrible pain with both a kidney stone and migraine. She received a Motrin at 8 p.m. and that was it. When asking when she might be seen — she was rudely told to sit down.
Her doctor spoke to the desk twice to no avail. We watched many leave in search of a more acceptable alternative like an Urgent Care. We certainly won’t be coming back, but hope that this hospital takes a hard look at their emergency care protocol. Maybe by daybreak, she will be treated.
I feel I should add a post script to my 5 a.m. rant concerning Ellis Hospital wait time in ER. It was a long 10-plus hours, but once we were seen, the care was excellent. The doctor and nurses were courteous and helpful. The facility was spotless. So I say thank you for helping my daughter, but please solve the waiting room problem.
Pamela Bucci
Scotia
Put student engineers to work on JFK airport
Re Oct. 5 article, “Cuomo unveils $13 billion solution for JFK airport”: First, may I state that a solution is the state of being solved. When we read into the article, in no way does the $13 billion solve the problem, as Rick Cotton pointed out that “there are more steps to go… .” So how much more money will it take and is it indeed a solvable problem?
Here are my thoughts: New York has some of the country’s top engineering schools. Why don’t we engage them in the process of designing a solution to this particular infrastructure dilemma? A panel of college professors, civil engineers, public officials, port authority employees and whoever else had to approve the $13 billion plan would pick a winner and the school program would receive half-a-million dollars. I’m sure it would be way less than the money the firm(s) were paid for this proposal. I’m aware of the prevailing wage and local unions that must also be taken into consideration, but this isn’t a difficult task.
You give each college a proposal package that outlines the problems and wages/unions that would be in play. Give them a timetable for completion, like the one given to the paid firms. Give them a chance for a final tweak and review and then judge them. It’s way past time to put our next generation to work on the problems of tomorrow and yesterday. No more patches. Let’s fix it once.
Tracy Swearingen
Glenville
Trump’s tariffs only hurt U.S. consumers
Finally, someone agrees with me that Trump’s tariffs on goods imported from China are really only hidden taxes on the American consumer. Matthew C. Klein in Barron’s wrote, “Tariffs are taxes paid by residents when they buy goods from foreign countries.”
But Klein may not go as far as I in imagining these tariffs are only part of Trump’s ploy to refill the treasury after losses due to tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. While the little people will pay more for the goods, he can bank those tariffs paid by China.
In his gamesmanship mind, it’s a win-win strategy.
David Childs
Johnstown
Grateful for McGraw’s help on zombie house
I write to commend Niskayuna Town Board member Denise Murphy McGraw for her outstanding leadership on resolving the problem in my neighborhood of the former “zombie house” at the corner of Union Street and Balltown Road.
McGraw dedicated a lot of time and effort over the years in working towards a creative solution.
After a group of concerned neighbors opposed a developer’s ill-advised plan to replace that house with an office building in our residential neighborhood, McGraw personally met with us, listened to our concerns and took action. She helped to arrange a creative resolution where the house is now being renovated for residential use, is back on the market, and is about to return to the tax rolls. We had received very little, if any, assistance or support from any other town officials (with the sole exception of the outstanding Conservation Advisory Council).
I’m not a member of McGraw’s political party and am certainly not inclined to ever support her fellow Democrats — especially in Niskayuna. But I do believe that when a public official goes the extra mile and achieves a creative and outstanding result, especially when others refused to help us, she deserves all the credit in the world. Nice one, Denise. Thanks.
Robert Ruggeri
Niskayuna
Proctors volunteers add to the experience
If you have ever been to Proctors in Schenectady, you won’t forget the extra-special treatment you receive from the volunteers who are located throughout the theater. The volunteers are an important part of Proctors because they greet you with a smile and say goodbye with a smile.
They’re people who have been volunteering for many years, but they never change their friendly manner, which makes it a pleasure to have them assist you. The volunteers are really hoping you will enjoy your stay while you are here. Also, they’re waiting for you to come back another time so they can be helpful again.
Remember, you are coming to see what is at Proctors while all the wonderful volunteers are waiting to see you.
Walter “Neal” Brazell
Rotterdam
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Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion
