A dividing wall in Williamsburg

Brooklyn: Supporters of the proposed rezoning of Brooklyn’s Pfizer site have sought to divert attention from its extremely troubling likely racial and ethnic impacts (“A vast Jewish conspiracy,” editorial, Oct. 26). Rather than identifying the opponents as anti-Semites, it is critical to address real and simple concerns here: Community Board 1, covering Williamsburg-Greenpoint, and CB3, covering Bedford-Stuyvesant, are separated by Flushing Ave. Williamsburg-Greenpoint has a population that is less than 5% AfricanAmerican, while Bed-Stuy, on the other side of Flushing Ave., is majority African-American. In addition, because of the massive displacement impacts of prior rezonings and resulting gentrification, thousands of Latinos have been forced out of Williamsburg by landlords doing everything possible to oust low-income residents in order to get the much higher rents the hipsters are willing to pay.

The proposed rezoning would dramatically exacerbate this situation, violating laws that require the city to address such patterns of segregation and mandate that the city, when doing things like rezonings, consider and address the need to increase integration, reduce segregation, and avert negative racial and ethnic impacts. The proposed rezoning, allowing for 75% of the apartments to be market rate and basically overwhelmingly white, with the “affordable” apartments having a 50% preference for residents of Community Board 1, would just make this unconscionable situation worse.Marty Needelman, Esq.

Executive Director & Chief Counsel Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A Cliffside Park, N.J.: In the days when Bill O’Reilly was a bloviating windbag, if he had a detrimental story on someone he’d have no qualms reporting it. He didn’t care if it would be embarrassing to their children. Now he’s crying his kids will be hurt by the current stories about him. It’s his stupid behavior, no one else’s. He deserves all the bad exposure; he brought it on himself. What a pity about all those women he verbally abused and pressured to have sex with him. Good riddance, you flabby-necked, pathetic slob.

Brian Reilly

Road rage

Brooklyn: Traffic in the five boroughs continues to get worse because of out-of-control development, and the elimination of traffic lanes and parking places. This also doesn’t help our air quality. Now, Prospect Park will be closed to traffic. I don’t think it is asking too much for the East and West drives to stay open during rush hours. Or does “share the road” only apply to some?

Bruce Selfridge

Scooter liberators

Oak Ridge, N.J.: Re “Blaz Rx for city’s clogged arteries” (Oct. 23): Maybe NYC needs more Smart cars and Vespa scooters.

John Lesquereaux

Lanes to nowhere

Rego Park: In my district, City Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz is running unopposed for reelection. The question is what she has done to merit reelection, or not. During the summer, the stretch of Queens Blvd. where I live was repaved. Without consultation with constituents, at least that I’m aware of, one side of each service road was set aside for bike lanes. In one fell swoop, more than half the parking spaces bordering Queens Blvd. were eliminated. Who did this benefit? Not the stores and businesses along the boulevard, most of which have no parking of their own. In the time since these bike lanes were created, I think I’ve seen a total of about four people using them. Meanwhile, I parked in a space I thought was legal and got a $95 ticket. I hold Koslowitz responsible for these changes and their negative impact on the community. Gary Sclar

Republican for mayor

Manhattan: To Voicer Robin Mazza: Everyone knows that Nicole Malliotakis is a Republican. We now know you are a snowflake! Catherine Mango

And the verdict is

Brooklyn: Wow, lately you can’t swing a dead cat (relax, it’s just an expression) without hitting the mayor in the puss. Like dog dirt, in this city he’s everywhere. He’s going to improve the quality of life by letting folks pee in public, he’ll free up Midtown traffic, get the rats out of city playgrounds and, yes, he’ll even look into the grossly unfair property taxes most of us pay. He was unable to deal with these issues during this past term because he was too busy disrespecting the police, going after the carriage horses and working out at the gym. Sad thing is, he’ll most likely be reelected, and once again New Yorkers will get what they paid for.

Christina C. Anderson

Big questions

Bayonne: Re “Niger G.I.s waited hour to seek help” (Oct. 24): Why was Sgt. La David Johnson’s body a mile from the site of the ambush? Was he a pointman? Was he captured before the ambush? Johnson’s widow says she could not see his body before burial. Why? Was he mutilated?

Wes Wojnikiewicz

In memory

Easton, Pa.: May God comfort the wife and family of Sgt. La David Johnson. I ask this in Jesus’ holy name. Amen. Kenneth P. Smith

Under the hat

Howard Beach: To Voicer John Scott: Thank you very much — you took the words right out of my mouth. May Gen. John Kelly have 40 more years of fame and respect. The infamous Rep. Frederica Wilson got her 15 minutes of fame. Now get a job. Jean Novak

Dazed and confused

Bronx: America, why are you surprised that John Kelly was lying to the public about Rep. Frederica Wilson to defend his boss President Trump? They are in the same barrel, and if the head of the stream is dirty, the bottom will be muddy. America, stop being one of those people who Jesus spoke about in the Book of Matthew. He told his disciples that there will be people who will see things, hear things, and don’t know what they see or what they hear. They are called lost sheep.

Edgar C. Barrett

Who’s a bully

Flushing: Bravo to Melania Trump for combating cyberbullying among children. It’s just ironic, the biggest child bully is her husband. Big tough guy, and a draft dodger, no less, who bullies a Gold Star widow, Gold Star families and anyone else who doesn’t kneel before him — a fine example for our children. Shame on him and anyone else who feebly tries to defend these actions. Joe Grimm

Don’t believe them

Astoria: I’m tired of all these lowlife, gold-digging skanks complaining about sexual harassment perpetrated 100 years ago on them. How could they be taken seriously? Joe Ametrano

Speak down

Bronx: To Voicer Carmelo Burgos: Although I find it disrespectful when other languages are spoken loudly in front of others, turn to Genesis and you will find out why Our Lord did this. I worked with people from all over, and only when someone spoke in Spanish were they loudly reprimanded, and told to “Speak English!” But never were the Africans told this. If spoken softly for that one person you are speaking to, it is no one’s business. Don’t be so nosy — you are not part of the conversation.

Lillian DeSann de Zuniga

Help our teachers

MARK BONIFACIO Hazlet, N.J.: I’m sorry to hear about Emily James’ unfortunate situation (“Brand new mothers, forced back to class,” Op-Ed, Oct. 22). Teachers deserve better pay, time off and help with student loans. More than likely I’m from your generation and we helped create this mess. You may think you’re doing right by the children telling them to sit still, do as they’re told, pledge allegiance and so on. But it just contributes to them not fighting for their rights, or maybe your rights for that matter. And it’s going to be worse for them as they get older. Regardless, I sincerely hope your situation starts to get better.

Donald DeMartino

What’s the Mattingly

Bronx: I write this as a huge Yankee fan since 1947. With the ouster of Joe Girardi, let’s bring back Don Mattingly. He was everybody’s idol with the bad teams. He did a splendid job with the Dodgers. I’m sure Derek Jeter will let him opt of of his contract. A perfect fit for our Baby Bombers. Joe Siano

Score for the Core

Belmar, N.J.: How’s this for the new Core Four: Luis Severino, Greg Bird, Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez. John S. Crook