Renters and landlords must unite

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Manhattan: Re “Stopping a tsunami of evictions,” (op-ed, May 27): We are exiting an event that has shaken our city. It has hit low-income New Yorkers particularly hard and many are struggling to pay rent. CHIP represents the owners and operators of more than 400,000 units of rent-stabilized housing, so our members are on the front lines of this crisis. Most of them have already cut deals with residential tenants, let them out of their leases early if they can’t pay, and some have even forgiven rent.

So, it is insulting and offensive for me to read the fearmongering spewed by Rep. Nydia Velazquez and Judith Goldiner. To suggest that every single tenant who has fallen behind in rent is going to be evicted at the end of June is not only false, it is dangerous.

Renters in New York City need to know that the vast majority of building owners are on their side. If you can’t pay rent, tell your landlord and they will work with you. But, many building owners are at severe risk of losing their property right now. They need help from the federal government, just like their tenants.

This is a time to work together to find a solution. Not continue to spread division and fear. Jay Martin, executive director

Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP)

Alinsky returns

New Paltz, N.Y.: In his response to my letter about Barack Obama’s use of pressure tactics learned from Saul Alinsky, Voicer John A. MacKinnon makes a few missteps. First, I did not say, nor “imply,” that Alinsky advocated violence. Second, references to Alinsky as a “socialist” are too numerous to cite. His works are replete with socialist tropes: “social justice,” “social mechanics,” “haves” and “have-nots,” the “plight of the people,” etc. Whether all this constitutes a socialist ideology is for people to decide for themselves. However, Obama’s use of tactics linked to Alinsky are indisputable, and were voiced in the Boston Globe by Alinsky’s son, L. David Alinsky, after the 2008 Democratic convention: “Barack Obama’s training in Chicago by the great community organizers is showing its effectiveness…When executed meticulously and thoughtfully, it is a powerful strategy for initiating change and making it really happen. Obama learned his lesson well.” Russell Paul La Valle

Damn Yankees

Massapequa, L.I.: Being a huge Yankee fan I cannot believe we may not have a season this year because the players are not happy with salary cuts. Have they heard

the news that millions of people are without jobs, not getting paid and having trouble providing for their families? They should be ashamed of themselves.

Judi Bruch

Used books

Suffern, N.Y.: How soon before we see Trump Bibles for sale? Rick Sinclair

Kudos

Wallingford , Conn.: I want to send kudos to the NYPD Bronx Violent Felony Warrant Squad (“We just try, June 8). After reading the article on the squad, I was prompted to write in for the first time. It is a pleasure to see police officers doing their job without reservation. I was a 28-year veteran of my local police department before retiring in 1998, and I find it refreshing that there are men like them who continue to do their job in today’s somewhat antipolice climate. My hat is off to your fine unit! Ed Gerosa

Cancel culture

Howard Beach: I grew up with the Daily News. My grandparents, parents, my family, my children and grandchildren. I stuck with you even as you transitioned to the far left and took on an anti-Trump and never-Trump campaign. However, you have done nothing to unite this country. I so enjoyed reading

Voicers letters, but as of late, your bias is well beyond fair and objective. I have canceled my subscription.

Paul DeTiberiis

Open Jersey

Monroe, N.J.: The governor of New Jersey won’t open the state, because of fears related to COVID-19 and social distancing, yet he can march shoulder-to-shoulder with protesters in Trenton. Open the state now. We need to be able to go to more places besides just Walmart, Home Depot and Lowe’s. If those stores are open, all should be open. John Ray

Open streets

Long Island City: I just read Danny Harris’s article, “How NYC should open its streets” (op-ed, May 29). As usual, he gets it wrong and is quick to use the “Don’t waste a good emergency” theory. Hopefully, the COVID-19 horror is starting to wind down and we are planning to reopen in a safe and thoughtful way, but Transportation Alternatives wants to do a land grab. From my vantage point, the Open Streets initiative came too late and was poorly conceived.

Danny, why is there no direct link to Central Park from the Queensboro Bridge bike lane? I am an avid bike rider who rides all over the city. Why are illegal cars and trucks allowed to park on 63rd St. between Second and Third Aves. every day, with no enforcement of parking regulations? Bike lanes are not a major alternative to a robust and efficient subway system. If you want to ban street parking in certain city neighborhoods, that is fine with me, but do it in a smart way. Paul Camilleri

Shop local

Truth or Consequences, N.M.: Merchants have been the backbone of society. Local businesses are indispensable to society’s well-being; specifically, in terms of economic growth, fiscal benefits, employment opportunities, and community wellness. Throughout this pandemic, businesses have struggled to remain available, to continue providing goods and services, and to keep serving the public. When COVID-19 eventually passes, we should make every effort to support local businesses. We should shop and spend locally. That would

SHUTTERSTOCK help our mercantile neighbors back on their feet. It is up to us to keep our merchants robust and resilient. Shopping at local businesses will help to keep retailers strong so they can keep our communities vibrant, viable, and sound. Society needs small businesses, and they need our help to keep them solvent. Hansje Van De Geest

Uh-oh, SpaghettiO

Brooklyn: It’s great to see all the commercial vacancies around NYC. Duh Blasio is going to give out more permits for more food trucks? Why should I rent and pay extraordinary fees and taxes when I could get a truck permit? After he puts most of the restaurants out of business, you will have to leave the city for a decent meal. Because we don’t eat tamales or McDonald’s when we go out. When I do want tamales, I get them from a real restaurant. I work way too hard for that. So it’s Jersey or Long Island or upstate for fine dining. Duh Blasio and Chirlane are forcing their tastes on us. What’s next, mandatory Sunday SpaghettiOs? Lisa DeSantis