Letter to the Editor: 04.18.19
Should Not Rush Spring April 15, 2019Dear David,Thank you for your editorial on why the East Hampton Town Trustees should not rush the adoption of the currently proposed 35-year leases. It is true that the current lease terms need revision. And, there are residents who have lived at Lazy Point for many years who need to be protected with low-priced leases for as long as they wish to stay. But that can be accomplished without the negative consequences that you point out and to which I will add.One issue that relates to your concerns about bank involvement is that the individual lots do not appear to have firm legal basis for their individual existence. The trustee land of Lazy Point is shown on the town’s zoning map as one single undivided parcel. The proposed leases refer to subdivision maps that show the individual lots. But the subdivision does not show as finalized, legally separate properties. The probable legal status is that the trustees, by pre-existing non-conforming right, rent 51 portions of a single parcel to 51 different people on which the tenants have built structures. That is not a legal situation that the trustees should wrap into a 35-year lease without outside, independent analysis of the consequences. Your comment about the likely need for removal of many of the homes from near the shore correctly anticipates that this is an area that will be experiencing accelerating erosion and storm surges. I foresee lawsuits if the trustees grant 35- year leases and later decide not to allow the tenants to pump sand onto the beach (I assume the trustees will not allow hard structures to be added for storm protection). I also foresee lawsuits if the trustees do not allow tenants to rebuild their homes lost to the sea or storms.The trustees need as much freedom as possible to design the best long-term solutions. This will take some time, as the trustees must plan for a revised Lazy Point. Some homes may be able to move to higher ground, some waterfront homes may be able to stay, but some houses will be lost to rising sea levels, just as some homes a few hundred feet to the south have already been swallowed by the sea. You also hint in the editorial that this has been a one-sided promotion by the tenants. For example, you quote Rick Drew as saying that this lease would allow more “local people” to live there. But, Rick Drew’s support of the new lease is coming from a trustee who owns a second home at Lazy Point but lives elsewhere. He should not be commenting on or have any involvement in the lease term or any issues at Lazy Point that have a financial or legal effect on his property. Second, as you point out, this proposal is coming from Lazy Point homeowners, but the trustees’ financial and environmental obligations are to all residents of East Hampton.The situation at Lazy Point is complex, and that complexity has not been analyzed by the proper legal and financial experts. Leases can be revised at any time by mutual consent. There is no reason to offer anything other than the usual one-year lease now. ZACHARY COHENRegarding Food Amagansett April 20, 2019To the Editor,Happy Passover! Happy Easter!I wish to offer this information to your readers who may have read the article regarding food prepared for both of these very important holidays.As a European-American, I can tell you that in Europe the food at either holiday, Jewish or Christian, is basically whatever is available in that country regionally. In other words, a pastry that is made with prune jam in Hungary or with poppy seeds in Hungary is popular in both religions for the dinner celebrations. As for Scotland, the usual is pot roast, mashed potatoes, and peas. In Hungary, ham is never used by Christians or Jews, and the usual is lamb or turkey or pheasant, if one is able to afford that with of course potatoes and carrots. The deviled eggs are British and used as an appetizer. The bread is blessed by the person who is making it and is a very special part of the meal and the egg represents spring and birth and nature and that is part of the religious concept of both Passover, where the lintels in the doorways were splashed with the blood of the lamb. As for Easter, the concept is that all people are welcomed to worship God, and are his people. The end of the meal has pastries that are made from scratch and have the jams available in whatever nation/region that is celebrating the holiday.I hope the person who wrote the article takes some time to enjoy this wonderful holiday season, and to celebrate spring and all of nature, and respects the respective traditions of all religions.All the best,BONNIE JOY OSBORN-TALANNo Match At All Amagansett April 9, 2019Dear David,Their untimely deaths haunt me. Ben and Bonnie Krupinski, the Hon. Perry B. Duryea Jr., and Tom Twomey were all so dedicated to our town. The ocean, the farmland, the rolling greens are wonderful, but no match at all, to my mind, for these people who so loved our town, contributing so much, defining its soul.Sincerely,LONA RUBENSTEINOne Weekend Day East Hampton April 15, 2019Dear Editor, Carol Saxe, the representative of the East Hampton Group for Wildlife on the wildlife management advisory committee, brought the proposal to ban hunting one weekend day to the East Hampton Town Board meeting last month, after having discussed the ban with the other members and a councilman at the committee meeting last month. While Jeff Bragman clearly stated his support for the ban, the councilman told Ms. Saxe that he is bringing the proposal back to the committee, to get its recommendation, then “get a sense” of the will of the board if it was to put an item on an agenda or allow the hunting seasons to remain as they are. This means a dead end. Why? Because the wildlife management advisory committee is biased. Most of them support hunting in general. While everything seems political, giving us back one weekend day should not affect anyone’s political views or go against hunters you may be friends with. It is about our rights and fairness. Hunters can still hunt on the other six days a week. It is a fair and reasonable proposal to everyone. The majority of the taxpayers, including dog walkers, hikers, joggers, all types of artists, and their children have the privilege to enjoy walking in the woods and the beaches without worrying about getting hurt by hunters by accident. The upsetting sound of gunshots is frightening our children, dogs, cats, or horses. The town should give us one peaceful quiet weekend day. All we are asking for is one day out of a week. I’ve spoken to many people in the park, on the beaches, at cafes, at parties, and almost 100 percent of the people have expressed their concerns, how they’ve avoided to walk in the woods, how the horrifying gunshot sounds traumatize their children and dogs. One man told me that the sound of gunshots reminds his elderly mother of the war she had gone through. Why probably only 1 or 2 percent of the population get to enjoy shooting guns seven days a week, while so many of other taxpayers/ voters have been so bothered by them? Again, all we are asking for is one day a week. The town board members need to know how many voters agree on this. I know everyone is busy in life, but please contact the town board members, and/or please come to the wildlife management advisory meeting. Or come to support us at a town board meeting today or on May 2 (Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., at Town Hall). If you wish to contact to support in any way please visit ehgw.org Let’s fight for our rights! YUKA SILVERA Water Protection Amagansett April 15, 2019Dear David, When I discovered my cesspool was under the site for a proposed new garage, I realized with dread that I had to get a complicated, expensive new nitrogen-reducing septic system. What a good surprise! The courtesy, helpfulness, and efficiency of our local governments at the state, county, and town levels in educating me about the matter and processing my application for permits and grants that will cover most or all costs has been remarkable. I want particularly to single out the work of our town and the Natural Resources Department. East Hampton was the first to provide forms, approve my application for a permit, and approve a grant limited by neighborhood eligibility and expenses. The town’s grant procedure is uniquely sensitive to the needs of working people, providing that the homeowner may pay the installer for the work as it is done and get a rebate later. A year and a half after this important water protection initiative our town has approved 133 rebate applications, and 21 systems have been installed with 8 more ready to start. Way to go, East Hampton! Sincerely yours, JEANNE FRANKLWorking Diligently East Hampton April 15, 2019Dear David,I have just returned from a climate conference in Atlanta and on the first evening the intentions were set at an interfaith Mass meeting at the historical Ebenezer Baptist Church. The meeting was led by former Vice President Al Gore and the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II. Mr. Barber spoke of the moral obligation of us to act on climate change and injustice in all sectors including environmental injustice.Here at home, I know our Democratic leadership is working diligently to ensure that our community is doing all it can to be strong, diverse, and vibrant. This is witnessed with tangible actions. We see it in their work, in their dedication to the transformation to 100 percent renewable energy that has been incorporated in the Comprehensive Plan, in the community driven hamlet and coastal resilience planning, in the purchase of new property for affordable housing, in the planning for a new senior citizens center, in finding water quality solutions, in their quick response to compromised private wells in Wainscott, and more. I know that East Hampton Democrats work tirelessly to elect climate-smart and environmentally sensitive leaders who realize the potential future we face and show the courage to act. Leaders who understand that their mission is to work together for the betterment of our community. The progressive work of our incumbent Democratic town board has never been more important than it is today, as we face a total failure of environmental and community protections on the federal level and as we witness racism, divisiveness, and outright lies from the president, his party, and their supporters.Sincerely,CATE ROGERSChairwomanEast Hampton Democratic CommitteeMany Questions Montauk April 13, 2019To the Editor,I have been a year-round resident in Montauk for over 12 years and a summer resident since the 1940s. My house is located on Old Montauk Highway. I have been a member of the Montauk Beach Owners Property Association for decades.In February, I received a letter from the association concerning the removal of the new Federal Emergency Management Agency poles that were put in just last spring and summer. A group of eight property owners whose property abuts Old Montauk Highway was in the process of putting their wiring underground from Davis Drive to the east side of Cleveland Drive. This was to improve “the aesthetics in front of their properties.” The total cost was $650,000, which they were able to finance themselves. I am happy for the owners who were able to do this.Now the ball has started moving down the highway, which affects me. Phase two starts at Cleveland Drive and goes all the way to Lincoln Road and then, past the motels, to Route 27. I have had no problems with the FEMA poles and have experienced no outages last fall or this winter. It was a long process, but it was a job well done and the poles were a huge improvement.According to the letter, if the project cannot be financed by the individual owners, then the financing would come from a Town of East Hampton bond issue. The debt would be paid back with interest with a special tax district set up. Other costs that might arise would be connecting the underground wiring to the house by an independent electrician, and then having the landscape repaired. This proposal has come up many times before, but due to the enormous costs in comparison to the benefit, it was not carried out. There are many questions about this project yet to be asked and answered.For myself, this would be a financial burden, and also perhaps for other homeowners having property that abut Old Montauk Highway.Sincerely,BARBARA RANDAZZOCivics Lesson East Hampton April 15, 2019Dear David:Thank you for Christopher Walsh’s story “A Chorus of Nays on Music Permit Proposal,” reporting on the music entertainment permit debate recently. As part of the overflow crowd at East Hampton Town Hall on March 21, I witnessed the power of public hearings and the transparency of government with our East Hampton Town Board. It was a civics lesson in action. Civics is the study of the rights and duties of citizens and of how government works. For those new to the East Hampton civics process, I’d like to share this brief overview.The town board meets regularly and publishes meeting agendas, minutes, and videos of each meeting on the town’s website. Any citizen can attend a town board work session and address the board members with their concerns. Issues and topics are discussed openly and are televised live on LTV, Channel 22. Any issue that results in a resolution to be voted upon by the board will first be put to a public hearing, where again any citizen can voice their opinions for or against the resolution. Each public comment is well documented in the minutes of the meeting. When all voices are heard, the town board will either vote on the legislation or table it until further investigation of the issue can shed more light on their decisions.Transparency of our local government is predicated on passionate public engagement — which was evidenced by the recent music permit debate. This was true democracy in action and culminated with Supervisor Van Scoyoc suggesting: “We have an arts council for fine arts. Why not have a committee formed with musicians that can inform the town board how we can help you, your livelihoods, how we can make adjustments to codes to promote live music, and do so in a respectful manner to the whole community but give more opportunities for small businesses that are music related?” I hope that the supervisor’s idea can be incorporated into the arts council concept and that local musicians and businesses will continue to thrive in our great creative community.Sincerely,ANNEMARIE MCCOYFragile Wetlands Montauk April 12, 2019To the Editor:I am writing in reference to the Duryea Lobster Deck issue, but not the legality of certificates of occupancy or settlements. I am writing about what’s right and wrong and common sense.When Mr. Rowan purchased the property in 2014, I am certain he knew the limitations he would face due to the fragile wetlands that compromise most of the property, but he bought it anyway. Now he expects us to turn a blind eye to the expansions he plans, and the ones he has already done.He claims to have over 80 existing parking spaces, when in fact there are only about 20. No matter what the actual number is, every spot is situated directly on wetlands. The cars and trucks are parked merely feet from the edge of Tuthill Pond, dripping oil, gasoline, and antifreeze into the soil. The town is usually very concerned about runoff into our freshwater ponds, but apparently not in this case. Shouldn’t the wetlands be properly flagged before permitting any expansion that requires additional parking?My intention is not to close the doors on Duryea’s Lobster Deck, but I believe an expansion of the business to include a full-blown restaurant will further hinder the delicate ecological balance of Tuthill Pond. Where is Concerned Citizens of Montauk?EDNA MCGLYNNMMNSGA Montauk April 10, 2019Dear David,As you pointed out in your editorial of two weeks ago, a major problem that we face in East Hampton Town is that we have way too many people here in the summer. I cannot address the problem in East Hampton Village as I have never had the financial resources to hang out there, although Fierro’s Pizza, Sam’s restaurant, and John Papas cafe are businesses that the working class with taste can afford.After living in Montauk for 20 years, I can certainly attest that in the summer our restaurants are mobbed and so noisy that dining companions can only communicate with each other via texting. Despite the best efforts of our wonderful and hard-working bartenders, many patrons develop dry mouth syndrome before they get their special five- liquor cocktail. Parking spots at our beaches are full at 10 a.m., and people often get testy when they are unable to get a parking spot.To alleviate this problem of overcrowding, I would recommend that locals mount a campaign to make Montauk not so great again. (Blue baseball caps could be printed with MMNSGA.) To discourage visitors from trekking to Montauk I have two recommendations. The first is a modification of New York City’s congestion pricing policy. It would be very easy for East Hampton Town to install electronic license plate readers just west of the current split in Route 27 to the new Montauk Highway. Vehicles could be charged $100 to enter Montauk! This just might keep the poorer people from trekking out to Montauk, although many rich people are notoriously cheap and not necessarily big spenders.The second recommendation is that our Plaza and Green be turned into a pedestrian mall as was done in Times Square. A huge screen could be mounted advertising local events and discounts. Local residents could be encouraged to dress up as cartoon characters such as Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and the Gnarly Naked Surfer Dude. Really boring inspirational and motivational speakers could be hired to give lectures on ridiculous topics. I would recommend the following: “The Wit and Humor of President Donald Trump,” “Why Everyone Who Wants to be Someone Needs a McMansion With 10 Bedrooms, 11 Fireplaces, a Media Room, a Bowling Alley, an Indoor Tennis Court, and Servants Quarters,” “How to Screw Your Real Estate Agent Out of the Standard Commission,” “How To Cheat, Lie, and Bribe in Order to Get Your Children Into Formerly Prestigious Colleges Like Yale, U.C.L.A., and U.S.C.,” and the truly boring “How to Become a Master of the Universe and an Entitled A-Hole by the Age of 30.” Visitors could also be encouraged to participate in book-review sessions. Personally, I would love to hear their views on “American Psycho,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and the best seller by President Trump, “The Joke’s on You.” In short, the tackier the experience for the visitor, the better for Montauk as the visitor is highly unlikely to ever return.Cheers!BRIAN POPEShortsighted Sag Harbor April 15, 2019David,Thank you for the insightful editorial on the future of a transforming coast-scape. Memorializing permanence at Lazy Point with the inevitable changes is shortsighted thinking on both environment and economics. Let’s hope the commentary gives the trustees reason for pause.KEVIN MCALLISTERFounding PresidentDefend H20 Too Many Questions AmagansettApril 14, 2019Dear Editor:Your editorial opinion in last week’s Star, “McMansions at Lazy Point,” has been expressed by many local residents of East Hampton Town. One of the speakers at the hearing on April 8 suggested if the tenants of Lazy Point sell their land they give the trustees 10 percent of the sale. They only pay around $1,500 a year for the lease and there have been one-year leases for over 50 years. How does it change in a two-month decision to 35 years with nothing for the trustees to gain? They only give us 10 days to close the hearing. We all know that the rules at Lazy Point would not allow the building of huge houses but it just as well might, because I am told that the last Lazy Point house sold was for over a million dollars. How did this happen?The houses at Lazy Point are controlled by the East Hampton Town Trustees, who are supposed to protect trustee land, but it seems that James Grimes, Bill Taylor, and Frances Bock, who are all clerks of the trustees, have made up their minds to give the 35-year lease. Rick Drew, who owns a house at Lazy Point, has to recuse himself from the vote but he seems to support the issue. Could it be that this is a political ploy to get re-elected in the 2019 election? I have been told by three banks that it is unlikely for the Lazy Point tenants to get mortgages on trustee property without owning the land. What happens if they do get a mortgage and a foreclosure happens on trustee land? Do the banks end up owning the land? When I asked at the hearing who wrote the criteria for the new lease, I was told that the new trustee lawyer of two months, Christopher Carillo, did. I can’t help but wonder what Stuart Vorpahl would have to say about that. There is one particular clause in the new 35-year lease agreement that states, “Whereas the trustees wish to afford East Hampton Town residents the opportunity to purchase a lease lot by obtaining a mortgage.” Does that mean the tenants of the houses will be able to purchase the land if they can obtain a mortgage? There are far too many questions at this time to vote to give away Lazy Point. There needs to be more study, as the real owners of Lazy Point are all the residents of East Hampton Town, not the trustees. Perhaps a one-year lease is not enough protection for the Lazy Point tenants and perhaps a 5 or 10-year lease, as you stated in your editorial, would be more appropriate, but more study needs to be done on the issue, and this should not be used as a political hot potato to get elected. Perhaps there could even be a referendum.Sincerely yours,ELAINE JONESChairwomanEast Hampton Independence PartyDemand Is Growing East Hampton April 14, 2019Dear Editor:Your April 4 article reported demand for electrical energy in East Hampton growing at 2.4 percent this year. The January Rhodium Energy Research report shows global CO2 emissions rose an estimated 3.4 percent in 2018, the biggest annual increase in eight years and second largest gain since 1996. What is clearly happening is that energy demand is growing rapidly and CO2-emitting sources of energy that are not solar are coming online to meet that demand. The Rhodium report shows that twice as much energy was produced by new, natural gas-powered plants as wind and solar combined. So build all the windmills you want and if you cannot cut demand through conservation and energy efficiency you will have enormous increases, not decreases, in CO2 emissions.As I have pointed out in letters to this newspaper before, the town board policy of meeting demand with non-CO2-emitting supply isn’t working. Energy demand continues to increase here and globally at a phenomenal rate. Only when demand growth is cut to zero cansubstituting non-CO2-emitting sources of energy have any hope of lowering atmospheric CO2 levels. The numbers above make that case.Two of your readers understood that cutting demand for energy at the source, in our homes and businesses, not increasing supply to meet unchecked demand, is what government should be doing here in East Hampton. Roxi Sharit and Laurie Joan Aron both wrote about using rooftop solar energy generation to cut CO2 emissions. The authors suggested a more proactive stance by the town board, such as making building codes more efficient. Combining solar at the source with energy conservation and battery storage of the surplus can also address peak energy demands here by eliminating the need for fossil-fuel-peaking plants. Don Matheson, who sits on the energy committee that advises the town, complains that I am not being fair to energy committee liaison Councilwoman Sylvia Overby and Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc, two politicians, by claiming the town board is not doing anything to reduce demand. Well it is pretty clear that the town board is focused solely on increasing supply — windmills they claim are going to solve all our problems. At 2.4 percent energy-demand growth, we are a long, long way from zero.On the demand side the town uses voluntarism. It sounds like Nancy Reagan’s solution to drug abuse: Just Say No. Mr. Matheson points to a half-functional website for individuals to take action but he supplies no statistics to make the case that even the slightest impact on energy demand in East Hampton has been made by voluntarism. More worrisome is your March 21 article reporting that the town board is ready to turn on its emergency CO2-emitting generators to supply peak power to PSEG/LIPA this summer for cash. Did our energy committee advise Mr. Van Scoyoc and Mrs. Sylvia Overby to turn on the diesel generators this summer to lower our CO2 levels? What kind of leadership is that? What more evidence do you need of policy failure?Mr. Matheson’s expertise on building homes to be energy efficient is of great value to the energy committee, and we all have much to learn from him in that regard. Nor am I in any way trying to belittle his efforts. I encourage him to understand that unless we can reduce energy demand significantly in the immediate future we are doomed to CO2-induced climate change. For the record Mr. Matheson speculated whether I had taken the steps to reduce my energy demand. I do not believe this litmus test is productive for ordinary people, those who do not make government policy. It reminds me of Hillary Clinton’s better-than-thou condescending “deplorables” comment during the 2016 election. He made a big mistake pointing the finger at me. My home has had solar cells installed since 2007 and a lithium ion battery since early 2018. I use zero energy from the grid during the summer even during the evening and feed twice as much energy into the grid as I use. Not everyone can afford to do this on their own. Certainly those purchasing megamansions can. Mr. Matheson should stop making excuses for the failures of Supervisor Van Scoyoc and Councilwoman Overby to address the demand problem with adequate governmental policy.PAUL FIONDELLAThe Next Step East Hampton April 15, 2019Dear David,One can read 10 articles on climate change without encountering a single specific proposal for federal legislation to aggressively address the problem that is supported by groups and legislators from both sides of the political aisle. There is one, and only one. Jointly introduced by Republican and Democratic sponsors, it is House Resolution 763, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. Who endorses it? The Natural Resources Defense Council. Catholic bishops, evangelicals, Unitarians, Bill McKibben. James Hansen (NASA Scientist who first brought the problem to Congress in 1989). Google, Microsoft, Lyft, Bank of America, Alaska Airlines, and, of all groups, Shell Oil, have supported it in principle through the Silicon Valley Leadership Council. RepublicEn, a group of 7,600 conservatives, endorses it. The list of endorsers of this approach, notably promoted for years by Citizens Climate Lobby, could fill this page of the newspaper. Imagine Republicans and Democrats, faith and business groups, and leading climate scientists finding common ground to support a bill that is working its way through committees on Capitol Hill at this moment. Twenty-seven members of Congress have signed on as co-sponsors. The battle against climate change will go on for many years, and will require many parts, but wouldn’t that be a good place to start: legislation that targets the sweet spot of policy that a bipartisan coalition can support?Liberal activists might initially react, “Well, if these conservative groups support it, it must be a sham that doesn’t go far enough.” Fact: HR 763 projects to reduce fossil emissions by 40 percent in 12 years and, longer term, exceed the pathway demanded by the Paris Agreement.Conservatives fear that addressing climate will destroy the economy. Fact: Economic modeling projects that HR-763 will add 2.1 million net jobs and increase the gross national product. It requires no government regulations on business, and it removes no money from the private economy to be spent by government.The Long Island East leadership of the Citizens Climate Lobby invites you to visit citizensclimatelobby.org to learn more about how HR-763 works. But knowledge without action is useless. More than 60 percent of Suffolk County residents are worried about global warming (Yale Climate Opinion Survey). But how many of us take the next step: actually telling our federal representatives what we think so they can represent us? Politicians evolve only when voters demand it. Write or call Congressman Lee Zeldin and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to urge support for HR-763.MARY FOSTER MORGANJOHN ANDREWSTIP BROLINDIANA LINDLEYELLA ENGEL-SNOWDON MATHESONRebuttal Springs April 15, 2019Dear David,In the letters pages last week, Walter Donway mentioned that in my previous letter I made it difficult for climate deniers to present their cases because advocates of climate change accuse them of “bad motives” akin to Nazi Holocaust deniers.I did not suggest those motives at all. What I hope will happen is an honest discussion and cross-examination of the impacts of climate disruption. Although I am not an expert, I have done some research on this vitally important issue that could affect us all. When I see someone who offers alternate facts, I will respectfully offer a rebuttal.For example, Mr. Donway states that “radical environmental science gave rise to the global-warming hypothesis.” He does not believe that population growth and limits to growth because of vanishing natural resources have negative impacts to our planet. He further posits that science has debunked that the Great Barrier Reef is dying, weather is not getting more intense, the Greenland ice cap is not shrinking, and there is no sea level rise. He also feels he has science that proves there is no harm to polar bears from melting ice and increasing wildfires. Finally, Mr. Donway urges us to “relax” because our grandkids will be okay.This summer there will be a panel of qualified experts in East Hampton discussing climate issues and how we can maintain a healthy balance for a healthy planet. I urge Mr. Donway to attend and take his scientist’s information who debunks any climate concerns. Stay tuned as to when the event will be held. Ultimately, it will be the people who will decide if we must begin acting now. In East Hampton, we will be asked to support the use of wind power to generate electricity. We have just the resource needed. The Northeast coast has some of the most consistent wind on our planet. I can show you the actual recorded average speed, Mr. Donway.Sincerely, DEBRA FOSTER Electronic Poll Books East Hampton April 13, 2019To the Editor:The current New York Legislature has been active on issues affecting voting and has passed the first set of voting rights laws in over a century.Starting in November 2019 New York will have nine days of early voting, including the two weekends prior to the election. This should give everyone the opportunity to vote, and I encourage everyone to exercise this fundamental right. New York State has provided $10 million to assist counties with the increased cost of early voting.New York was the last state to have state and federal primaries of separate days. Now state and federal primaries will be on the same day. This will eliminate the confusion caused by a June and September primary, and it will cut the cost of having two primaries.Remember those big binders that are used at the polls to find your name and signature? Now New York State has authorized the use of electronic poll books. New York has allocated $14.7 million to assist counties with the cost of making the change to electronic poll books, which have been shown to save voters time at the polls, increase the accuracy of voter rolls, and save money.Starting Jan. 1, 2020, teens 16 or older will be allowed to preregister to vote and the board of elections will automatically register them when they turn 18. This makes it easier for young adults to get involved and vote. Studies show that people who get involved in voting younger are more likely to become lifelong voters.Starting March 25, 2019, the board of elections will automatically update the registration of voters who move within New York State and who fill out a change of address form with the post office. This will allow those who move to vote at their new address without having to reregister.Now online registration is only possible using a Department of Motor Vehicles portal if you have a license. Starting in 2021, New Yorkers will be able to register to vote online through the State Board of Elections website.Two additional changes are in the works but require a constitutional amendment, so the process will take a number of years and then be put to a voter referendum.These changes are same-day registration and no excuse absentee voting (vote by mail).These changes bring New York State up to date and make it easier to exercise the right to vote.I encourage everyone to vote in the upcoming elections.JEREMIAH T. MULLIGANDanger to Society Plainview April 12, 2019Dear David,In 1987, Suffolk County resident Matthew Solomon strangled his 22-year-old newlywed wife, Lisa, dumped her bagged body like garbage, and pretended that he was an innocent, bereaved husband. Luckily he was caught in his lies and convicted of murder, but now he’s being given his freedom to live out the remaining 20, 30, or 40 years of his life, while Lisa remains buried in her cemetery grave, still visited by her mother, Diane Weaver, every day. Now, inexplicably, the New York State Division of Parole is setting him free. I would personally support the state board of parole’s releasing wife-killer Matthew Solomon from prison, if and only if, they added this one condition to their own list of several conditions:Solomon has to live in the homes (on a rotating basis) of every board member who has young children living with them. Or if they have none, in the homes where their young grandchildren or great-grandchildren live. They should have no objections to this condition since they have declared to Solomon himself that the “panel has determined your release at this time is compatible with the welfare and safety of the community.” One month a year though, parole board members should give up the privilege of living with this fine, completely-rehabilitated man so that he can room with the children or grandchildren of his attorney, Jeffrey Waller, who said Monday in an interview that he was glad his former client was getting out of prison shortly. The Huntington lawyer said he believed Solomon was entitled to release and that he didn’t think the man was a danger to society. RICHARD SIEGELMANCrazier Stuff East Hampton April 13, 2019Dear Editor:Trying to understand our country’s descent into a deranged universe, one is obligated to search outside the box for explanations. Since we no longer need to question the veracity of this movement, and since its motives and intentions are undeniable, the need to figure it out becomes imperative.Observing Trump, Miller, Pence, et al., it is obvious that they are genetically disconnected from basic human feelings and empathy. Robots activated to behave without conscience. Irreparably damaged. So, what is it that drives these android men?In a conversation with an older friend, who has lived through much crazier stuff than this, he looks at Trump and his cohorts and the first observation is that they are sexually and emotionally challenged. Then he raises the idea of necrophilia?America First and fascism are dismissed as one and the same. Everyone who is a snip literate knows that. But necrophilia? Yikes. Deranged cretins is one thing. Necrophilia is really bizarre. Necrophilia is about having sex with dead bodies. Sometimes. It can be spiritual or metaphysical. A dream-like descent into the nether world. A hallucinogenic deterrent for inner madness. But in the case of our heroic leaders it’s straight up jump and hump.Jeffery Dahmer, a renowned serial killer, was into necrophilia. It was kept under wraps during the Third Reich and was considered a mild perversion. One of the great 15th-century Italian poems talked about it, and of course the Egyptians.Having sex with dead bodies without any of the netherworld spirituality that some people are fascinated by seems like a good fit. For men who don’t want to be reminded of their incompetence, incontinence, impotence, insecurities, their questionable passions, or their lack of interest in their partners, dead bodies work. No back talk, no seduction or pillow talk, just hump and pump, and close the lid.This may not be the prettiest of pictures, but life isn’t perfect. On the surface this seems like an extreme reach. Yet, unlike Stalin, Mao, Franco, and Hitler, psychopaths who loved women, these guys don’t. Stalin, Mao, and Hitler took over deeply-failed countries, which added a small measure of truth to “Make Us Great Again.” (Not all fascists are into necrophilia and not all necrophiliacs are fascists.) America’s condition, however, could hardly be identified as failed or even failing. The surreal nature of Trump’s fabrication, really delusion because he believes it, is what allows us to make the jump from delusion to perversion. How screwed up are these guys? Could they be Jeffrey Dahmer in suits?In truth, I don’t think many of Trump’s supporters would be put off by his fascination with necrophilia (if it were true). Evangelical leaders will claim he’s searching for Jesus. Fox will call it the extraordinary journey into alternative realities. Rudy G. will hold his nose and say something really stupid. Sean Hannity will smile wisely because he’s been there. It’s mostly a full-moon gig, and we only have 12 a year. So no big deal.Necrophilia, necrophilia, necrophilia — how far have we come in understanding that the true passion for our conservative Republican brothers is not pedophilia, not rape, but also not a simple roll in the hay. So much pressure, so much tension like they used to say on K Street “sometimes boys just have to be boys.”NEIL HAUSIG CorrectionAn editing error last week inserted extraneous text into a letter from Paul Fiondella. The passage, as he wrote it, was, “The gun costs $6,995. It only took five years to go from DARPA sponsored R&D to a consumer product.”