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Interest rate help TO THE EDITOR: The escalating number of foreclosures doesn’t only threaten people who may lose their homes; it also brings down property values and equity throughout entire neighborhoods. That’s why we must focus on reducing home foreclosures and rebuilding homeowner wealth as a key strategy in strengthening our economy. As your congressman, my top priority is standing up for hardworking families on Long Island. President Obama released the details of his comprehensive Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan. Effective immediately, the plan will allow four to five million families who owe more on their homes than the current appraised value to lower their interest rates. The new plan will also help another three to four million at-risk homeowners avoid foreclosure by reducing monthly mortgage
payments. The Treasury Department has set up a website, www.financialstability.gov, that has information detailing how the programs work and whether you are eligible. I encourage you to contact your mortgage lender or servicer to take advantage of these new programs and reduce your monthly payments to stay in your home. In Congress, we are working to do our part to help troubled borrowers, too. This week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1106: Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, which I was proud to support. This legislation complements President Obama’s plan by simplifying existing programs and providing incentives to lenders to modify mortgages. It also provides important safeguards for responsible homeowners who are not covered by President Obama’s plan, but are still at risk of foreclosure. To share your thoughts with me on this or any other issue, please visit my website at http://israel.house.gov. Besides these programs there are a few additional resources, both nationally and locally based, that you may find helpful: • Hope Now: www.hopenow.com, 888-995-4673. Hope Now is a government and industry alliance that provides
-PROUDIt’s kind of hard to find too many things to get excited about these days. Everything is pretty tough both business-wise and personally for lots of people in our community and around the world. Of course, it would be nice if the media would stop pounding everyone over the head with negative news over and over again. It’s becoming a selffulfilling prophecy. But we felt pretty good the other day when, after announcing some pretty tough financial results for the end of the year, Ford still sees no need to ask for government loans. In fact the CEO of Ford Motor Company said “Right now, I think with everything planned in the fiscal and monetary policy, I am very comfortable that we are going to start to turn things around through the second half of the year.” This doesn’t mean that Ford isn’t using lines of credit. But they have done it the old-fashioned way; they went out to banks and found financing. Ford is doing it! Ford is finding a way to make it through these hard times. This is the type of auto manufacturer that wants people to feel confident when buying one of their products.
We are proud to be a Ford dealer and we feel fortunate to be part of such a great community! The entire Ford network is pulling together to bring the best products and services to you, our customer.
Thank you for your time and attention! We hope to see you soon! -The RAMP Ford Family
Family Owned & Operated For Over 64 Years
TO THE EDITOR: It’s the era of change. Change is upon us and change is good. In this spirit, it’s time for the citizens of Huntington to make a vital and necessary change in the way the town is governed. In its present form, the Town Council is simply unable to truly represent the diverse needs and interests of our geographically sprawling, 200,000-citizen-strong community. There are too many local issues for an at-large council to fully grasp and address properly. The framers of our Constitution had it right from the start: government for the people, by the people. All citizens of Huntington owe it to themselves and their families to take the time to learn about converting to a council-district system of government. If you explore this issue, you will surely see why it is simply a better form of representation for all of us. People speak of change, desire change and support change in their thoughts and words. But now it’s time to step up and back those thoughts with real action. We all need to understand this issue so when it’s put to vote, we can truly make an informed decision. This is a change whose time has come. And, in these times of fiscal responsibility, this clearly better form of representation will not come with any increase in costs to the town or its taxpayers. I challenge all citizens to learn more about this. You will not be disappointed. Don Vassallo South Huntington
Writer speaks at winery
If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, I hope you at least stop by and check out all of our award winning Ford line up.
4869 Nesconset Highway • Port Jefferson Sta. www.rampford.com
I dare you!
Continued from page A5 Sen. Carl Marcellino (R-Syosset) said he could almost live with the increased bridge tolls because if fewer people were to take the 59th Street Bridge, which is now free, it could result in better air quality and improved traffic flow. “But the mobility tax is far more onerous,” he said. “That hits everybody: You’re going to be hit a dozen different places all for this one tax. … The state’s going to cut aid to schools and hospitals and nursing homes, yet the MTA is going to take more money from them with the tax on their payroll. It’s most unfair.” Despite the criticism from local lawmakers, Gov. David Paterson supports the commission’s requests, spokeswoman Erin Duggan said. “Tax increases are always a last resort,” Duggan stated in an email. “This is necessary to avert major fare increases and service cuts to a system used by millions of New Yorkers every day, including commuters from Long Island.”
With all that being said, Ford is putting out GREAT vehicles! Our new Ford vehicles are safe (more top safety-rated vehicles than any other manufacturer), high quality (now in a virtual tie with Toyota and Honda), good looking and fun to drive. In fact, Ford GAINED market share in the last three months of 2008. And there’s a lot more coming soon! Ford has said that, despite the economic challenges out there, they’re not pulling back on the most important thing of all; product.
631.473.1550
free foreclosure prevention assistance from HUD-approved counseling agents. • Federal Housing Administration: www.fha.gov, 800225-5342. • Long Island Housing Partnership: www.lihp.org, 435-4710. At no cost to you, HUD-certified housing counselors can help you understand your options, organize your finances and represent you in negotiations with your lender, if you need this assistance. • Community Development Corporation of Long Island: www.cdcli.org, 471-1215. CDC specializes in affordable housing on Long Island and has a foreclosure prevention expert on staff to answer your questions. I will continue to do everything I can to assist your family in navigating these new programs. Please call 9512210 and ask to speak with a caseworker. Rep. Steve Israel 2nd Congressional District
Employer’s tax
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Letters
Huntington resident Kerriann Flanagan Brosky is among featured authors at the group’s second annual Book Fair and Signing Event scheduled for this Sunday, March 22, at Martha Clara Vineyards, 6025 Sound Ave., Riverhead. Flanagan Brosky, whose most recent book on the paranormal, “Ghosts of Long Island II,” was released last Halloween, will be one of 20 authors to discuss their work and the art of writing and to personalize books. Admission is free; guests can sample wine as they survey the local literary scene. — ELISE PEARLMAN