LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Better ways to spend million

Posted

To the editor:

(re: “Thanks a million, Andy,” Sept. 3)

The recent Riverdale Press editorial appears to justify Councilman Andrew Cohen’s costly breach of faith with his community by noting he needs to “maintain some sort of stable income.”

The fact is that that is a concern most of us carry throughout our careers, whether we work in the public or private sector. Cohen will have had a plethora of career options to pursue had he honored his commitment to serve a full term, options which do not carry a million-dollar penalty that we must bear on his behalf.

Or leave his entire district unrepresented for months.

Or expose the older aides to a virus likely still to be with us, aides who will staff the special election he has caused.

Cohen is well-educated with undergraduate and graduate degrees. Proven to be a hard worker. And is a consummately decent, well-liked and well-connected individual. Those employment opportunities he will have may not quench immediately his announced thirst for an instant judgeship, but they will certainly relieve this community of the disgraceful funding his personal ambition entails.

How beneficially the million dollars could be better spent in our library, or local school, enhanced law enforcement training, or desperately needed assistance for the indigent mentally infirm.

To this reader, the criticism raised by Jessica Haller to the Bronx Democrats is appropriate, and its addressees should have included our councilman himself. Were they candid in their response, their answer would be obvious. They — and he — do this because they can get away with it.

Even in these times of unprecedented vulnerability, the community be damned.

Certainly those seeking to replace Cohen should stand up and be heard on this question of loyalty to a party colleague, or loyalty to the community.

Eric Seiff

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Eric Seiff,

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