Dan's Papers - January 16, 2009 -

I was away and had no chance to respond earlier. Dan Rattiner, an animal lover, God bless him, wrote a lovely article about me. There were, however, a few mistakes I had to correct.

My name is Pat Lynch, not Alice Lynch, and I worked for "NBC Nightly News" for many years. On weekends I volunteered to walk dogs at the Southampton Town Animal Shelter. During my four years there I observed inhumane conditions that violated state law. Adoptable animals were being killed. My critical letters to the editor of the Southampton Press about what I saw made Town officials decide to shut me up. Three uniformed code enforcement officers physically removed me from the shelter in February 2004. I was officially banned without ever having broken a rule - for just speaking out and exercising my right to free speech. It was not done "politely." It was a humiliating experience.

I have great respect for the First Amendment. So does my lawyer Steven Morelli of Carle Place. He encouraged me to fight back. I did and won a Federal lawsuit in Islip in Feb. 2006. It was a unanimous jury verdict awarding me $251,000. The judge reduced it to $50,000 and the Town appealed that decision. It was a very upsetting and destructive experience to go through. On Dec. 2, the Appellate Court in New York upheld the judgment. The Town lost again. I have not seen a cent.

I will try to walk dogs again at the shelter the end of January. For the record, I never offered to give up my jury award. Let's set that record straight. Also, I have never gotten an apology from the Town. My lawyer also has not received his fees from the Town.

Things at the shelter are going downhill again. It's time for me to go back. Stay tuned. Dan might have an interesting sequel to write. I hope so.

I'd like to walk a dog with you. Let me know when. - D.R.

I must respond to Mr. Joe Mendez's letter, in defense of Sally Flynn's "The Rules of Shopping." I guess he has never, never read other articles Sally has written in jest. Most people recognize her humor.

As far as a family member being handicapped? Yes, Sally had a cousin return from the Korean War to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Billy also accepted his fate. He was a remarkable man. He even danced at weddings with his chair. He married, worked and in later years managed to care for himself alone. Then there was cousin Eugene (Buddy) Hallock who gave his life at the age of 19 during WWII in the Pacific on a Navy ship.

You see, you can't assume everything. If you had ever read other things she has written I don't think you would have taken it so seriously. That was pretty far fetched.

I can attest to the fact there have been many tragedies in our lives. My grandchildren are the seventh generation living her on eastern L.I. Sally's maternal great grandfather and my grandfather were brothers; mine being the oldest child.

Sorry you found it offensive. Hope his has helped you to know the Real Sally Flynn.

They don't call her Silly Sally for nothing. - D.R.

I have enjoyed your newspaper for years, and look forward to each issue. However, your response this week to "J" concerning illegal immigrants prompted me to write to you. While this subject is a complicated one, I take exception to your comment that we were all once "illegal" immigrants. For the past 150 years, people from Eastern Europe, Ireland, China, Italy and numerous other countries came to the US legally. Historically, they came for a better life for themselves and their children. They went to night school, became citizens, learned English and became part of the American mosaic. For the most part, they weren't illegal. They assimilated; they became productive members of their communities and paid taxes, voted and realized the American Dream.

Before you get here, you're an illegal. Then you get here and it changes. - D.R.

"Blagojevich Guilty Of Telling The Truth" (Dan Rattiner, January 9, 2009) was a breath of fresh air. There is usually a political quid pro quo between one public official doing a favor for another. Does anyone expect Illinois Governor Blagojevich or our own Governor David Patterson to advertise for a new United States Senator in the New York Times Help Wanted Section? Pay for Play campaign contributors from lobbyists, unions, business or any special interest groups to elected officials are always looking for a "return" on their investments. Any Governor is dependent on their Congressional delegation to assist on these "returns" by bringing home the bacon. This could take the form of Federal funding especially earmarks authorized and appropriated by Congress. Senators also hire staff recommended by political allies along with introducing favorable regulatory or tax legislation to special interest groups. One elected official or famous family member can lend their respective fund raising lists or skills to another. Governor Blagojevich was honest enough to come out of the closet and openly discuss some favors public officials may consider in filling political vacancies. Likewise, there are no incumbent Democratic or Republican political virgins on any level of government in New York State.

Real reform in New York would amend the State Constitution to allow the Governor the right to call for a Special Election within ninety days in the event a vacancy occurs for Senator, State Comptroller or State Attorney General just as he can when a seat in Congress or the State Legislature becomes vacant. Candidates can pledge to hold a series of town hall meetings televised live around the state. Newspapers and television stations can hold debates between the candidates. This will allow the voters rather than the legislature to select a replacement.