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City on Right Track Defending Itself Against ‘Frivolous Lawsuits’

To the Editor:

[Re Jim Roberts’ May 8 article, “City Faces Another Big Payout in Second Default Judgment.”]

As a former member of the Peekskill City Council and a candidate for election this year, I’ve seen firsthand the toll that “frivolous lawsuits” can take on our city’s financial resources.  Nationwide, excessive litigation costs the U.S. economy $367.8 billion every year.  This means less money for roads, parks and public safety.

Thankfully, the current City Council has taken important steps in the right direction to safeguard Peekskill’s financial and legal integrity.  By moving away from a two-person Corporation Counsel office and retaining an entire law firm to handle these cases, the Council has shown a real commitment to defending Peekskill’s interests with a higher level of legal expertise and case management.  Changes to calendaring and other internal processes are also helping manage these matters more efficiently.

Still, the pressure to settle so-called “frivolous lawsuits” is always there.  Lawyers and insurance companies often try to avoid long and costly drawn-out legal processes by settling, but in doing so, risk setting a dangerous precedent that opens the door to exploitation.  

The City Council should continue defending cases on their merits. They should continue to stand firm and insist on real evidence in court so that all plaintiffs know that the City of Peekskill will vigorously defend against unsubstantiated claims.

This administration is already on the right track, and I believe we should keep pushing forward with reforms that protect Peekskill’s integrity and the taxpayers money.

Sincerely,
Darren Rigger
Peekskill

Overwhelmed Parents and Grandparents 

To the Editor:

Parents face enormous pressure in raising children and one parent at home does not reduce it significantly. So far my grandchildren who are in pre-k programs have daytime activities that require more work and scheduling challenges. 

There are proms (dress up expected), spirit weeks with specific colors to wear, dress up holidays, Halloween as major, while bringing treats like for a child’s birthday costs money since one can’t bring in homemade cookies, cakes or snacks (all food must be packaged and store bought), fundraisers, teacher appreciation days with gift cards, and graduation ceremonies. 

Our 4 year old’s graduation ceremony is during the day at the school–a hardship since it takes place during work hours and the children are dismissed after the ceremony. 

Oh, and do not forget about the federal holidays, snow days, and teacher training days.

It is true that we are not forced to participate but when a child asks if you will be there and is disappointed if you are not . . . I am sure you can see the difficulty in opting out, especially when the other adults attend.

This situation is out of control. I am not one for nostalgia, yearning for the old ways, but I do advocate for sanity. This is death by 1,000 cuts.

Katharine McLoughlin
Cortlandt Manor

Proud to Be a Boomer

To the Editor:

I’m still on a high from [the June 14] No Kings Day protests. I can’t say it enough on how spectacular were the millions of Americans who came out in collective peaceful protests against Trump.

Reading many accolades by protesters one stood out. A GenX couple said the Baby Boom generation, veterans of peaceful protests, helped them learn how to protest in the future. I was gratified to hear that statement being made of my generation, as we boomers have taken the blame for all the ills in the world.

Among the many accomplishments, we were protest pioneers in the Women’s Rights Movement, the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War.

Boomer women changed the workplace by increasing the number of women in law and medicine, and the slow, but steady rise of women in corporate leadership.

Boomer women should be given credit for how we advanced society, especially in the world of human rights within the civil rights movement of the sixties.

We ended rampant sexual harassment, especially in the workplace.

Boomers are more collective in spirit, more social and have a strong sense of community.

We have a tremendous work ethic. We lowered the voting age. We ended the draft.

When I review all the accomplishments Boomers made for the future GenXers I’m proud to be a Boomer.

In peace and love,
Karen Sevell Greenbaum
Croton-on-Hudson