New housing requires more infrastructure

Brooklyn: Re “New York City housing is getting the boosts it needs” (editorial, Oct. 4): So we’ll add thousands of homes and residents. I haven’t heard anything about upgrading sewer and wastewater systems to handle the extra population, flood abatement in these same areas — there’s a reason they’re not well developed.

And let’s not forget the new street designs, which discourage cars and driving. Will subway lines and bus service be directed to these areas? Some of us out here in the ‘burbs can’t rely on public transportation as it is. Staten Island will need a huge investment from the city. There’s only four ways off the island for cars. How will the influx of people be protected and be provided efficient transportation into the city? Will the borough’s abysmal snow removal history be improved, or will more people be locked into their homes because of poor management?

The city needs to look in its own backyard. I live near the Nostrand Houses, and I’m thrilled that my neighbors are getting overdue improvements. But how many NYCHA apartments are empty or have residents who are no longer eligible but hold onto their apartments? What about all the dead apartments in buildings that can’t be upgraded due to exorbitant regulations, taxes and costs? There’s a lot to consider when building a city.

Susan Caprio

Heaping fees

Brooklyn: How can Gov. Hochul talk about affordability concerns for New Yorkers when she gave $4 billion to illegal immigrants? Lying Kathy is trying to persuade voters with a one-time $200 utility rebate. My utilities have increased 30% in the last four years. What’s $200 going to do for me? Lying Kathy unleashed a $9 congestion pricing fee. That’s $45 per week, $2,340 per year, which translates to about $3,228 in gross wages to pay for the toll. Let’s not forget her con-job negotiating, shooting high for a $15 toll, settling on $9, then claiming she saved New Yorkers $6 per toll! A third-grader would say, “I’m still paying $9 per toll where I wasn’t paying anything at all.” The toll applies to only parts of Manhattan. Everyone living below 60th St. have no skin in the game. Why? Don’t they take mass transit? Is she protecting ultra-liberal Manhattan?

David DiBello

Indefensible ‘defense’

San Mateo, Calif.: “Operation Epstein Fury” was scrawled on a warplane on an aircraft carrier in the Iran conflict. Those troops definitely don’t see this as “America First.” Why endanger and sacrifice the lives of our troops and create more Gold Star families without an intelligent explanation to our citizens back home? The sailors on that ship felt it was all for some other country and some other reason. We’re apparently fighting for a foreign nation that prevents half its population from any representation in its government. They’re not allowed to vote. That half isn’t allowed to use the same roads the other half can use. They are under a legal system that changes just for them. Equal justice for all? Is this anything near the noble cause that our grandfathers risked their lives and shed their blood for 85 years ago?

Mike Caggiano

Peace-nicked?

Merion Station, Pa.: Despite President Trump ordering the invasion of Venezuela and launching a full-scale war against Iran, will he accept the Nobel Peace Prize Committee’s failure to award him that coveted trophy, or again claim the selection process is rigged?

Paul L. Newman

Idiocy of the electorate

Manhattan: According to the Baron of Itararé, those who elect an idiot are well represented. With the latest remarks from our orange-haired idiot regarding the bombing of L.A. or San Diego, anyone who doesn’t want to be in the latter category must reject him once and for all or bear the label.

Jack Weiss

Wrong issue

Tarrytown, N.Y.: Maryland crab Voicer Eugene R. Dunn recently echoed here Trump’s ignorance on current French student riots, attributing justified complaints about understaffed classrooms and decaying schools to “Islam wanting to take over a once great country!” That’s like blaming Canada for New York’s nasty e-bike collisions, or Iceland for the Yankees being swept in the baseball playoffs. Adding to Dunn’s dumbness is his projection from a visit to Paris seven years ago. If he went there today, he might realize that the greatest blight on the City of Lights are the hordes of MAGA-hatted American tourists displaying just how stupid a once-intelligent nation has become.

Steve Ditlea

Questionable call

Bronx: The Yankees were robbed in Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Rays due to a rush to judgment in the sixth inning. Aside from an apparent fan’s interference, the umpires completely missed two other factors. The ball would have either gone over the wall or at least hit the top of the wall, where it would have bounced either to the fans for a home run or inside the field, hitting the ground. Second, the fielder didn’t leap high enough to reach the ball while it was airborne. He didn’t even reach the top of the wall, which is where the controversy began. Perhaps there needs to be more training and observance of the umpires and their calls. Likewise, perhaps strict rules and enforcement are needed against fan interference in a ball’s play. Nonetheless, the Yankees were robbed.

Michael S. Wilbekin

No cheers

Tomkins Cove, N.Y.: In 1957, when I was 6, my father took me to my first Yankees game at “The House That Ruth Built.” Since 2010, I’ve had a partial season ticket package at what I can describe as the place teams come to celebrate series-clinching victories on the other side of 161st St., with Yankees players staring forlornly from the first-base dugout.

Doug Slotolowicz

Got what they paid for

Paramus, N.J.: Pete Alonso wasn’t good enough for the Mets. He played every game this season for the Orioles, hit .267 with 43 home runs and knocked in 113 runs — an outstanding season by one of the top players in MLB. The Orioles paid Pete $30 million. The Mets and their know-it-all general manager let Pete go. They didn’t even make him an offer despite his great career with the team, not to mention that Pete was a fan favorite, arguably the most popular player on the team. Instead, they paid Jorge Polanco $20 million. He hit .148 with two home runs and knocked in six runs. He played 37 games. The know-it-all general manager should be fired immediately.

Tom Greff

Mitigating factors

Ledyard, Conn.: Think of all the time, energy and resources we’ve spent investigating, litigating and attempting to execute Christa Pike for the horrible murder of Colleen Slemmer. Babies are not born evil. Imagine if we had spent those same resources on early intervention instead. It’s likely that Slemmer would still be alive, living her best life. If only we could learn from this that prevention rather than punishment should be our mission.

Lisa Allen