Seattle’s minimum wage, Letters
Emerald pay day
As usual, Seattle’s Democratic leaders have outdone themselves in mandating the minimum wage be $20.76/hour (“Seattle eateries eaten up,” Jan. 9).
Yes, some people will make more money, but many more will make no money because no day-to-day business will be able to pay such a high hourly wage.
Many small businesses will close, more will become unemployed and unemployment benefits will increase. What is hoped to be gained will be grossly offset by everything that is lost.
Edward J. Roell, Hillsdale, NJ
Metro math
Rep. Mike Lawler says the MTA chose to build Second Avenue subway stations twice as large as needed, adding another $1 billion to the project (“Boss: Just grievance politics,” Jan. 8).
He’s wrong. I was one of those engineering consultants involved with station designs of the new line, so I know first-hand he makes a specious claim. How might he know what’s needed, especially given he’s an accounting finance wonk?
Each new station was designed to current station emergency and normal conditions guidelines, notably the latest National Fire Protection Association standards that govern pedestrian holding and movement standards, should a fire and smoke condition prevail.
If Lawler is comparing these new stations to other substandard stations in the system, he is wrong. The system’s other 200-plus stations are narrow, dingy and potentially unsafe, having been designed and built over 100 years ago.
Steven Scalici, Staten Island
Methadone is OK
In response to your Editorial, “Finally Fix ‘The Hub’ ” (Jan. 5).
I want to clarify that methadone clinics provide lifesaving treatment — medication, counseling and other services — to people suffering from addiction. It is damaging to conflate methadone clinics, of which there are eight in the Bronx (not “dozens”) with “drug-fueled depravity.” It perpetuates the shame that prevents many from seeking evidence-based treatment that can save lives. Of the 2.5 million people suffering from opioid addiction in the United States, only one in five receives effective treatment.
This is because that treatment is often maligned by the media and misunderstood by the public. Addiction is a disease and people struggling with it are just that: people. Please do not discourage treatment.
Allegra Schorr, President, Coalition of Medication-Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates of York State, Manhattan
Rudy, rudely
What could possibly justify Rudy Giuliani being fined $148 million for defamation? (“Rudy in contempt,” Jan. 7).
People do not get this amount of money for losing limbs and other truly life-changing damages. Surely this needs to be appealed and corrected. These women did not experience life-changing events worth that sum. Indeed they seem pretty happy about hurting a man who has done so much to make this city and country a better place.
Catherine Adago, Manhattan
Killer elephants
Tourists should not interact with elephants (“Tourist, 22, killed by elephant in front of her boyfriend at Thai sanctuary,” Jan. 6).
Elephants have their own grooming habits. There is no need for someone who is not trained to wash an elephant. Also, if the sanctuary has only three elephants, is it giving them an adequate opportunity for social interaction? Can we really call it a sanctuary?
Bruce Couchman, Ottawa, Canada
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