Letters to the Editor: 08.18.16

A Garden Seat

I take the seat I never sat in.

Everything is dancing 

to the cicadas’ la coo-ca-racha.

July’s crimson glory do-si-dos

with August’s yellowing stamens.

 

I put the seat there

to pray for the weeping beech,

mourn the daily death of lilies,

shoo the bulb-thief voles,

but didn’t sit until today.

 

Flirtatious village at Mardi Gras.

The beech’s limbs are grandma’s arms.

Lilies gladly die for beauty’s sake.

Bulbs light the way to Fall.

I think I’ll sit a while.

DEE SLAVUTIN

No Questions Asked

East Hampton

August 14, 2016

To the Editor:

On Sunday, Aug. 7, on the night of the Coldplay concert at the Stephen Talkhouse, a banner that was hanging on one of the barns of the Amagansett Historical Association art show went missing. This is regrettable, since it was helpful in directing visitors to the correct building, and was to be used for this purpose year after year. 

The sign was approximately five feet by three feet on white canvas, and displayed the word ART in large red letters. It would be appreciated if anyone who knows of its whereabouts could return it, with no questions asked. Thank you.

DAVID STILES

Safety of Students

East Hampton

August 15, 2016

To the Editor,

Colleges will soon be opening their doors to the class of 2019. The college experience should be a great one where individuals grow, are exposed to new ideas and new people, and change. To make sure it is a positive experience, students — and their parents — should inquire about the school’s policies and rules regarding the safety of students and sexual assault on campuses.

If students know about the high incidence of sexual assaults on campuses, learn about bystander actions, are aware of what constitutes consent, and aware of their rights to report sexual assaults to the school’s security force and the local jurisdiction, maybe the incidents of sexual violence will be reduced.

The Town of East Hampton screened the movie “The Hunting Ground,” a documentary about sexual assaults on campuses, at the East Hampton Library this spring to over 150 high school students and their parents. There was an excellent panel discussion that followed with really good questions from students about consent issues, speaking out, and false reports (only 2 percent of sexual assault complaints have been false). 

We are all in the same boat. We want all students, male and female, to have a positive college experience. Because incidents of sexual assaults on campuses have gone up (even though many cases are unreported) and because the consequences for committing this crime have often been minimal, colleges have been creating policies and procedures to address these issues and to provide prevention education. Through a grant program, Enough Is Enough, the Retreat helps develop policies and create support and awareness for students at Suffolk County Community College.

Gloria Steinem, a world-renowned activist, author, community organizer, and bold advocate of equality for all individuals, and three students from our community — Noely Martinez, Priscila Ortega and Abby Roden — discussed issues including discrimination, inequality, and sexual violence at a Retreat event at Guild Hall on Aug. 9. The audience participated and was engaged in this lively discussion.

   Our students in the Retreat’s Teen Leadership Program create their own public service announcements on issues relating to sexual violence and the services available to victims of abuse, have informational tables at community events, and support the No More campaign that spreads awareness of resources and issues relating to sexual assaults and domestic violence. How do we ensure that our students know their rights and have clear expectations as they depart for school? Our community is calling out for more discussions like these! 

LORETTA K. DAVIS

Executive Director

The Retreat 

Dangerous Maneuvers

East Hampton

August 11, 2016

To the Editor,

I cannot agree more with your recent editorial about the needed attention to addressing many of the problems caused by the summer crowds. May I also add to your list the numerous violations caused by visitors while driving. When I spoke with one of the traffic control officers I was informed they were not allowed to ticket moving violations, even when they happened directly in front of them!

So, making U-turns in the middle of town, going through red lights, not stopping at crosswalks for pedestrians, leaving the CVS parking lot by turning left when going out the entrance and not the exit, etc. — to name just a few of the dangerous maneuvers I’ve observed — are allowed. Just like the other problems your editorial addressed, these infractions will increase without some consequences, endangering lives along with the quality of life so many of us residents cherish.

Sincerely,

Carol JACOBS MENDEZ

That D.T. Plague

Springs

August 14, 2016

Dear David, 

 At this point I must beg an indulgence from you all. If you are not prepared to offer such boons, please stop reading and go on to the next letter.

 If you are still reading, here goes. 

 I have promised myself to stop using a certain word because I find it causes me and others such anguish. To be quite correct, I should say two words. There can be no doubt that the entire world, or at least the human race, will have a more promising future if we could manage to obliterate the meaning of these two words from our psyche; truly believe that they never existed in their current form. I know, will not happen, but I tend to fondly remember that old adage “If wishes were horses. . . .”

I am pained when I think about the plagues that surround us. There is war on a worldwide front. There is famine, pretty much worldwide also. There is distrust here, there, and all over, as well. But there are a few plagues that the United States has a full quota of. Murder of our fellow citizens. Flooding of great portions of the country. Fires consuming thousands of acres of farmland, destroying homes and polluting the quality of the air we need for life. 

Then there is that plague that for me is the worst, because it is the one thing that we have control of allowing to affect our lives or not. It is that particular two-word D.T. plague that for me is unmentionable; that would allow our fellow citizens to kill with impunity, that spews hatred toward individuals rather than attempt to understand, that if we give in to it will destroy these United States of America that so many women and men have contributed to and worked together to build.

 May that particular abhorrent plague be sent back whence it came.

DAVID WILT

Suggest a Trapdoor

Amagansett

August 11, 2016

Dear David, 

I’m concerned that a response to your questioning East Hampton Town officials on local issues was a “vacant stare.” While vacant stares could be cataracts or corneal problems, I suspect that the municipal vacant stare is an overcorrection from the tantrums of the prior administration. But still our local leaders need to release their inner guard dogs on behalf of local issues:

Traffic: No black S.U.V.s, fancy cars pay an unnecessary-showoff tax.

Beach fires: Offenders walk on hot embers and wear “I’m a selfish, lazy, unattractive person” tattoos.

Over-large road signs: Removed immediately by miscreant business and worn publically for 24 hours.

Tables in town board meeting room: Those ugly sagging plastic things to be instantly replaced by a decent piece of local wood. I would suggest a trapdoor mechanism to limit pontificating.

All good things, 

DIANA WALKER

Get Going

East Hampton

August 15, 2016

To the Editor,

Windmill II L.L.C. has asked the Food Pantry to relocate by the end of 2016. Why? The Food Pantry has grown over the years from 41 to 400 people and families each week. The additional wear and tear on Windmill II’s 48-unit affordable housing grounds is evident. 

This is my home; Windmill II is a company. Food Pantry complainers, get going on finding a new space and thank Windmill II for what has been given.

LALLY MOCKLER 

Food Pantry Evicted

Amagansett

August 15, 2016

Dear Editor:

When I first heard that the East Hampton Food Pantry was being evicted from the Windmill housing to replace it with a gym I was puzzled. What better place could there be for a food pantry than a senior citizens complex? After reading Neil Hausig’s letter in The Star last week, it became clear to me as to why the East Hampton Food Pantry is being evicted. I don’t know Mr. Hausig, but his letter made it very obvious that his loyalties lie with the East End Community Organic Farm food pantry. He seems more concerned about the EECO farm than he does giving produce that could possibly be harmful to the residents of East Hampton Town. 

The Town of East Hampton owns the land that the EECO food pantry farm uses to grow produce. It has been a concern since East Hampton High School refused to buy that land in 2001 because of the content of arsenic in the soil; and the dust could be harmful to our children. I attended a meeting of the East Hampton Citizens Advisory Committee this past June. They were concerned because EECO farm had promised to post signs so that children and pregnant women would wear masks when digging in the soil. It is not the first time that this has been a concern. I have an email that dates back to 2013 concerning the same discussion. Bill Wilkinson and Theresa Quigley were on the board then. 

The East Hampton Citizens Advisory Committee in June, and the citizens that went to that meeting, including Larry Penny, simply wanted the East Hampton Town Board to test the EECO farm soil for the levels of arsenic and to see if their methods of growing were working to bring down the levels of arsenic. I have test results from 2011, and the results seem to be the same as the 2005 tests. It would be great to know the truth.

I think that unless they can prove that the level of arsenic has gone down, the word “organic” should not be used. Those people who only want organic food have the right to know.

Could it be that the East Hampton Food Pantry is being evicted because they (the Windmill board) wants to put in a gym for their seniors, or is it because of the questions concerning the EECO Pantry Farm and its produce? Mr. Hausig even suggests in his letter that the East Hampton Food Pantry should “get some new board members.”

I think perhaps that those board members of the Windmill Village who voted to evict the East Hampton Food Pantry should question Neil Hausig’s letter. What is his agenda?

ELAINE JONES

Our King Kullen

East Hampton

August 9, 2016

Dear East Hampton Star,

It has reached me through the grapevine that the King Kullen grocery chain may be considering pulling most if not all of its stores out of the Long Island market. Though I find it hard to believe that any chain would close so lucrative a location as the one in Bridgehampton, I keep hearing rumors to this effect. The reason given most often is that, on Long Island at least, King Kullen has been losing out to local competition from obvious competitors, such as Citarella, I.G.A., and Stop & Shop, and those less obvious, like Kmart and Walmart. The problem is that while this may be true for other locations west of the canal, such as the ones in Manorville, Riverhead, and Hampton Bays, I think we can all agree that it is not the case for our own Bridgehampton King Kullen, which is used by everyone east of the canal and has existed in the same location for decades.

One of the primary truths about our King Kullen is that it is arguably the best place to shop for groceries between Southampton and Montauk. Everyone knows it, and that’s why every Sunday hundreds or even thousands of retreating weekenders clear the shelves of the most popular items en route home. I wrote a letter complaining about the empty shelves last summer. It’s not as if there isn’t any competition. There are I.G.A.s in East Hampton, Sag Harbor, Amagansett, and Montauk. There are Citarellas in Southampton, Bridgehampton, and East Hampton. And, of course, the Bridgehampton Kmart. But let’s look at this “competition.” With the exception of Kmart, King Kullen is the largest single store in the Bridgehampton Commons. Kmart carries some of the same items, but they don’t have produce or fresh meats. Also, what they do carry is pretty low-quality, aimed at those who want or need to save money and don’t mind skimping on quality. Not to mention that the “grocery” section is stuffed all the way in the back of the store. It’s more the kind of place you go if you forgot something for a barbecue, like soda or napkins.

The Bridgehampton Citarella hits the other end of the spectrum; that is, it’s very expensive and I would even say overpriced. I shop at Citarella at their various New York City locations and I have to say that the quality of what they have in their meat, poultry, and especially the fish case in the Hamptons locations is deplorably low by comparison. I always cringe when well-intentioned visitors bring me baked goods from Citarella because without exception they have suffered from their long trip out from the city and are disgustingly stale. And the staff, with notable exceptions, are not always the friendliest, not a good sign in an upscale market. Stockpersons also do not take care with delicate produce, and to add insult to injury, the checkout staff often drops or actually throws already abused items into your bag. And they take exception if you ask them to pack in a certain order or want to pack things yourself. Just last night, it was late and I realized I had nothing for dinner. I wanted a grass-fed filet, but what they had in the case looked like it had been there for over two weeks — dark and turning brown. The rest of the meat was no better. At other times I have seen the cases at both the East Hampton and Bridgehampton locations full of meat that had green spots. Can you say health code violation, boys and girls? I knew you could! And when I asked the butcher about it, he said, “My manager made me put that stuff out because it was the only meat we had.”

I.G.A. is somewhere between the two. These are independent stores that are often tailored to the hyperlocal market. And they can be surprisingly broad in the merchandise they carry. I often find very odd items I can’t find anywhere else at one of the other local I.G.A.s. And I’m of the opinion that the Amagansett I.G.A. actually has the best meat department in the area. But again, these stores often lack certain crucial items, owing to the fact that they are just not large enough to carry everything.

What makes King Kullen the go-to for so many of us, I think we’d all agree, is that not only does it usually have the vast majority of the items on our shopping lists but it has them all in one store, at one location, which reduces the time we have to spend hopping from store to store. What’s more, King Kullen is in a good location with plenty of parking (the Bridgehampton Commons was a huge drive-in movie complex until the early 1980s), and its proximity to other stores, like Kmart and T.J. Maxx, is a real plus as well. Most of the other markets have parking lots that are not suited to heavy traffic and can be downright dangerous with the local style of driving. Especially in August.

It should also be noted that the Bridgehampton King Kullen is possibly the longest-lived business in the entire Commons. I’m not sure when it first opened, but in 1968, when my family first moved out here, it was part of the old section of the Commons, in the same location where T.J. Maxx is today. They moved to the present location when the Commons was renovated and expanded and have been there ever since. 

Our King Kullen has always had competition. There used to be an I.G.A. on the site where Citarella is today, as well as the other locations I’ve mentioned. There was also the East Hampton A&P, which changed its name to Waldbaum’s and has just been reincarnated as a Stop & Shop. 

So our King Kullen, at least, has survived and even thrived among competition for much more than my 48-year lifetime, and will probably continue to thrive if allowed to stay. I hope the rumors are just rumors. Many of us have recently been rewarded by the appearance of such healthy choices as grass-fed beef (albeit from Australia) and (my favorite) Trickling Springs-brand milk, which comes in glass bottles (returnable for $2).

If this letter reaches the eyes of King Kullen management, I want to reiterate that any beef I have had with the store had more to do with customer behavior, and I think the chain has done a magnificent job of bringing us what we need and, often, even what we want, whenever possible. Let’s face it: This is a difficult location to ship to, especially since the days of freight cars on L.I.R.R. tracks are long gone. 

We need our King Kullen, which serves not just Bridgehampton but everyone who lives east of the Canal (that is, Southampton to Montauk Point). Even if you close every other location on Long Island, please consider keeping the Bridgehampton location open. I would hate to see it turn into another Stop & Shop, a chain I really don’t like.

MATT HARNICK

Irreparable Damage

East Hampton

August 15, 2016

Dear Editor,

As a longtime East Hampton resident and observer of the beaches here, I am certain that trucks and sport-utility vehicles are causing significant damage to sand dunes in the East Hampton region and are creating serious safety concerns for other beach users. 

With sales of pickup trucks and motorbikes increasing dramatically in recent years, the number of vehicles being driven on East Hampton beaches is also dramatically increasing. As an avid follower of local news, I often read about a large number of complaints being received by local authorities and police with vehicle-related accidents and near-misses becoming a common occurrence on our beaches. I believe that it’s about time that everyone learn to respect the beach, the fragile dune environment, and other beachgoers.

The reckless driving of vehicles on the beach and in the dunes is not only a significant safety hazard but also leaves irreparable damage to vegetation caused by two or four-wheel vehicles. 

Sand dunes need to be protected so they can continue to protect coastal communities from coastal erosion and flooding and so the natural character of the coast is preserved for future generations. Driving over sand dune plants can destroy them and lower their growth rates by breaking off stems, crushing seedlings, and damaging underground roots. Any activity that damages these important sand-binding plants can stop the dunes from rebuilding and can lead to increased erosion. Vehicles also compact the sand and soils, which changes the conditions needed for sand-binding grasses to grow. Driving through dunes can destroy vegetation, which makes them more prone to erosion.

While some vehicle users who drive on the beach do act responsibly, the threat to the environment and other beach users by those who are driving recklessly has become too great at Napeague. Therefore, I believe that trucks should not be allowed to drive on Napeague beach. 

Best,

BRUCE ANDERSON

Like It Was a Frat Party

East Hampton

August 14, 2016

Dear Editor,

Last week I took my younger cousins to Napeague beach. They’ve only visited East Hampton a couple of times and I thought it would be a nice outing for the day. However, the sheer number of trucks that park on the beach made it difficult to enjoy and I think something’s got to be done to address the issue.

Not only did the trucks force us to sit farther back from the water, but they totally obstructed our views, too. Most people were playing music from their radio way too loudly, and everybody was drinking and carrying on like it was a frat party. Definitely not the relaxing atmosphere I’m used to when I go to the beach.

When the sun was going down and people were packing up to head out, the beach was total chaos as cars drove every which way and crowded toward the exit. It was difficult to stay out of their way and safely leave the beach on foot.

I don’t mind the idea of people driving their cars onto the beach, but Napeague is one of the most popular. I think the trucks should be relocated to somewhere with less foot traffic, so that everybody can enjoy equally one of the most centrally located beaches we have.

NIDIA RIOS

Zeldin Was First

Springs

August 15, 2016

Dear David,

In the age of unfriending, Twitter, and presidential campaigns’ rhetoric, the candidates are responsible for the words they use, and what people hear. So, when Donald Trump said, “Hillary wants to abolish the Second Amendment. By the way, if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks. Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is. I don’t know.” People heard: “If that bitch is elected, she’ll take away your guns and nothing you can do, except use your guns.”

Earlier, Donald Trump attacked a Gold Star military family. When asked of his personal sacrifice to the United States, Mr. Trump said, “I’ve made a lot of sacrifices. I’ve worked very, very hard.” People heard him say, “Your family’s military sacrifice, the death of your patriotic, heroic son are just like the days I declared bankruptcy or when I started Trump University. I think they were sacrifices, for sure.”

“I was being sarcastic,” Mr. Trump tweeted, defending his delusional statements, adding, “Obama founded Isis.” 

We don’t need a president with a Ph.D. in sarcasm.

You know, a normal American’s reaction, the reaction I hear from real Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike, to Donald Trump, the man who would be our commander in chief, includes the words “disgusting” and “treason,” not sarcasm. 

But New York’s First District congressman, Lee Zeldin, is not your normal American. Lee Zeldin was the first to endorse Donald Trump for president. Lee Zeldin was the first to explain away Mr. Trump’s tweets. Lee Zeldin was the first on CNN to defend Mr. Trump even after Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan called Mr. Trump’s words “textbook racism.”

Speaking without thinking is morehan simple ignorance, it’s just damn lazy. Doing nothing in Congress is lazy, and no one exemplifies that more than lazy Lee Zeldin during his first term. Hey, Congressman Lee Zeldin is number one — for nothing! 

Lee Zeldin said “no” to President Obama’s budget to combat Zika. “No” to President Obama’s increase military spending and for the needs of veterans (House Resolution 1314 — thankfully it passed, without Lee Zeldin). “No” to women’s health. “No” to our environment. “No” to science. “No” to rational thinking. Only Mr. Trump gets a “yes” vote from Congressman L.Z. 

For me and my family, it’s all about our American values this election. The values my family holds as Americans are not Donald Trump’s, or Lee Zeldin’s. We support Hillary Clinton and Anna Throne-Holst. 

So, when L.Z. comes begging for your support this election in New York’s First Congressional District, be among the first to just say “no.”

Lazy Lee Zeldin: He’s so far right, he’s just wrong.

ALEX MILLER

The Real Problem

Springs

August 15, 2016

To the Editor,

Trump is Trump, and I will not spend your time or mine agonizing about what a threat he is to our country and, in fact, the world. Every comment he makes just reinforces his bigoted, ignorant, and dangerous expression of his lack of fitness as a candidate. But the real problem, challenge, and reality is that Donald Trump speaks for too many who share his paranoia and hostile attitudes. 

Whether Mr. Trump implodes or otherwise loses this campaign, he has succeeded in giving voice to the extreme right wing and Tea Party zealots, who pose the same extremist and irresponsible attitudes as he does. 

On the day that Lee Zeldin, our (yours and mine) congressman in the First Congressional District, learned that Mr. Trump was considering the run for the presidency, he called Mr. Trump to assure him of his (Zeldin’s) endorsement, help, and loyalty.

We have a choice: return Lee Zeldin to Congress, to again continue the meanspirited paralysis of our government, or vote, campaign, and do whatever else you can to support Anna Throne-Holst in unseating this usurper of the office that Tim Bishop so capably held for over 12 years.

There is as much difference in political philosophy between Mr. Trump and Hillary Clinton as there is between Mr. Zeldin and Anna Thorne-Holst. If Mr. Trump is not fit to be our president, Lee Zeldin is not fit to represent us in Congress. 

Anna Throne-Holst is not only an intelligent, experienced, and dedicated public servant but also a candidate who will support a return to the bipartisan government that is the hallmark of our Constitution and functioning democracy.

LARRY SMITH