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Things
Are Not What They Seem
To
the Editor:
As
a longtime employee of the Workers’ Compensation Board, I
was dismayed to read David King’s infomercial on the agency
in last week’s paper [“We Helped Too,” Nov. 18]. It appears
that Mr. King has taken most of the information for his article
from the media relations’ representative for the WCB and from
others who work directly for the chairman of the agency. Although
the WCB has done some very good things with respect to 9/11
claims, in the vast majority of workers’ compensation claims,
the progress and attitude of the agency has been far from
positive. The autocratic and unresponsive management style
of the administration has resulted in a dysfunctional state
agency whose main goal is the production of misleading statistics
giving the impression of progress in the resolution of claims.
It is well known that the WCB has long been the repository
of political appointees and their relatives who are for the
most part unfamiliar with and unsympathetic to the noble purpose
of the agency’s creation in its goal to aid injured workers.
Other than the efforts taken for the very public 9/11 cases,
which bring national press scrutiny, the Pataki administration
has pursued policies which make it more difficult for the
injured worker to obtain benefits and has taken a pro-insurance
company posture toward the resolution of claims in less high-visibility
cases.
Hopefully, Metroland will follow through on its reporting
of the Workers’ Compensation Board by speaking with employees
who are not paid representatives of the Pataki administration
and with the injured workers who are poorly served by this
agency.
Name
withheld on request
Editor’s reply:
Though we are sure that problems with the WCB still exist,
and would be happy to look into them, David King’s thesis
that 9/11 has changed the agency for the better was actually
generated from speaking with several current and former frontline
WCB workers, exactly as you suggest. Unfortunately, like yourself,
they were not able to go on the record.
We
Do Not Condone Dog-Kicking
To
the Editor:
As
an admitted card-carrying member of the liberal left, I nonetheless
take issue with the sentiments of Ms. Brink (“I weep for you”)
[Letters,Nov. 18]. This is just the sort of treacly pap that
loses elections. Buck up, shut up, or join the other team.
But I really have a problem with the snarly, childish, Cheney-esque
gloatings of Mr. Walsh (“It gives me mental satisfaction hearing
you people whine”). This seems suspiciously like some smug
buttoned-up, tight-arsed, Napoleon-complex masturbation in
print. But, hey, what do I know.
I do know this: Ms. Brink might be willing to go all bipartisan
and conciliatory, but not me. Bushies: I will not hold open
the door for your mom, I will not engage you in friendly banter,
and I will kick your dog. Four more years? You bet.
Jeffrey
A. Mercer
Albany
Just
Another Blowhard
To
the Editor:
What
happened? In the Nov. 18 issue on page 48 is a photo of Ian
Anderson of Jethro Tull holding a flute, in that common “I’m
about to blow” pose. Then turn the page and in the same position
on page 50 is master flutist Ardal Powell, seemingly in the
midst of tooting away. I’m concerned about this flute proliferation—flutes,
after all, being to the music world as mimes are to the world
of entertainment. Unless you’re trying to create a little
flip-book movie with the repeated images, please keep any
other flutist photos in the locked box marked “Rampal” and
stash it all down in the basement.
David
Greenberger
Greenville
Metroland
welcomes typed, double-spaced letters (computer printouts
OK), addressed to the editor. Or you may e-mail them to: metroland@metroland.net.
Metroland reserves the right to edit letters for length; 300
words is the preferred maximum. You must include your name,
address and day and evening telephone numbers. We will not
publish letters that cannot be verified, nor those that are
illegible, irresponsible or factually inaccurate.
Send
to:
Letters, Metroland, 4 Central Ave.,
4th Floor, Albany, NY 12210
or e-mail us at metroland@metroland.net.
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Columns
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