Town Is Lucky East Hampton September 11, 2015 Dear David, I want to thank the Fire Department for responding so quickly to our call: Ricky Osterberg, Chief; Assistant Chiefs Gerry Turza and Ken Wessberg, Jamala Hayes, captain, and Duane Forrester, lieutenant, along with the rest of the crew and dispatchers. The team quickly assessed the situation, and figured out that there was an issue with our air-conditioning unit. They were professional, courteous, and reassuring. Our town is lucky to have such an amazing Fire Department. Thank you, LESLIE WELLS Fire Prevention Week East Hampton September 21, 2015 Dear Mr. Rattray, It is National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4 to 10. This year’s theme is Hear the Beep, Where You Sleep. Please review these very important tips. Smoke alarms can act as a warning to get out of a building when a fire occurs. But they are only effective when working properly. Every home should be equipped with smoke alarms that are installed correctly and tested regularly. Be sure that your smoke alarms are properly installed, connected, and working. The right way to install smoke alarms: • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home including the basement, making sure there is an alarm outside every separate sleeping area. All homes are required to have a smoke alarm in every sleeping room. • Hardwired smoke alarms operate on your household electrical current. They can be interconnected so that every alarm sounds regardless of the fire’s location. This is an advantage in early warning, because it gives occupants extra time to escape if they are in one part of the house and a fire breaks out in another part. • If you or someone in your house is hearing-impaired, consider installing an alarm that combines flashing lights, vibrations, and/or sound. • Mount smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings (remember, smoke rises). Ceiling-mounted alarms should be installed at least four inches away from the nearest wall. Wall-mounted alarms should be installed four to 12 inches away from the ceiling;. • If you have ceilings that are high-pitched, install the alarm near the ceiling’s highest point. • Don’t install smoke alarms near windows, doors, or ducts, where drafts might interfere with their operation. Paint, stickers, or other decorations could keep the alarms from working. A life-saving test: Check your smoke alarm regularly. Test your smoke alarms once a month, following the manufacturer’s instructions. • Replace the batteries in your smoke alarm once a year, or as soon as the alarm chips, warning that the battery is low. Hint: Schedule battery replacements for the same day you change your clocks from daylight savings time to standard time in the fall. • Never borrow a battery from a smoke alarm. Smoke alarms can’t warn you of fire if their batteries are missing or have been disconnected. • Don’t disable smoke alarms, even temporarily. If your smoke alarm is sounding nuisance alarms, try relocating it farther from kitchens or bathrooms, where cooking fumes and steam can cause the alarm to sound. • Regularly vacuuming or dusting your smoke alarms can keep them working properly. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. • Smoke alarms don’t last forever. Replace yours once every 10 years. If you can’t remember how old the alarm is, then it is probably time for a new one. • Plan regular fire drills to ensure that everyone knows exactly what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Hold a drill at night to make sure that sleeping family members awaken at the sound of the alarm. • If you are building a new home or remodeling your existing alarm, consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system. Sprinklers and smoke alarms together cut your risk of dying in a home fire by 82 percent -— a savings of thousands of lives a year. Sincerely yours, DAIVD BROWNE Chief Fire Marshal ‘The First Goodbye’ East Hampton September 16, 2015 Dear David, Thank you for your lovely and heartfelt story “The First Goodbye.” It was wonderful! Sharing your sentiments about your daughter’s leaving home to attend school resonated with me as I recall the bittersweet feelings of joy, sadness, and pride when my son went to college several years ago. Wishing your daughter a successful and happy time away at school. She’ll be home before you know it! SUSAN McGRAW KEBER His Name Is Kelvin Northampton, England September 21, 2015 To the Editor: Good day. I wonder if you could help me trace the owner of the dog in the picture, his name is Kelvin and I took several shots of him on Atlantic Beach during our holiday late August, early September. I took the pictures with his owner’s permission and he asked me if I would send some of them to him. He gave me his email address but neither of us had a pen and I relied on memory. Unfortunately all attempts failed and I would dearly like to send him some of the shots, as several of them are really good and I’m sure he would like to see them. He may not be a resident of the area, but I’m pretty sure he is. A long shot I know. I’m English and we did engage in conversation, so he would remember me I’m sure. Thanks in advance if you are able to help. The email address he gave, as far as I remember, was [email protected]. Kind regards, KEITH EDWARDS A Rich and Varied Life Sag Harbor September 16, 2015 To the Editor: My name is Richard Sawyer of Sag Harbor. I have lived a rich, colorful, and varied life. While attending Freeport High School, class of 1964, I was a much-celebrated lineman on the undefeated, once-scored-upon football team, whose previous team had made the cover of Life magazine. Playing the trumpet in high school, I received a blue ribbon for competing in the New York State School Association Festival. In 1971, at Nassau Community Junior College, where I graduated with an associate’s degree in liberal arts, I won the Mid-Atlantic Wrestling Championship at 177 pounds. In 1972, I graduated from Southampton College, having skipped in junior year, making the dean’s list and graduating with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and a major in psychology. After graduating from college, I took a summer job working for a tree company. I loved what I was doing. I had spent the lion’s share of my youth climbing trees, and now I was being paid for it. I eventually became a full-fledged tree surgeon. I saved up my earnings from tree work and bought enough equipment to start my own tree company, Treely Yours. I realized that being my own boss was very gratifying — something that was not taught in school. I started jogging eight miles a day to get in shape for the upcoming world lumberjack competitions. After six months of jogging, I entered the wood-splitting event and established a Guinness World Record for wood-splitting. After climbing trees for almost 40 years, I decided to hang up my chainsaw. After being retired for a year and a half, my partner, Marlies, came up with a job for me as a dog-sitter for two German shepherds, whose owners were going on vacation for two weeks. I could not believe this job opportunity. After all, I had spent six months training with German shepherds in the army’s elite canine corps at Fort Benning, Ga., and another six months “walking point” with German shepherds in Vietnam, where I saved many soldiers’ lives by being able to read my dogs’ alerts on the enemy’s positions. I enjoyed sitting dogs just as much, if not more, than climbing trees. After all, it was a lot safer than walking point in Vietnam with a dog. As a matter of fact, I am petitioning Webster’s Dictionary to include dog-sitting in their definition of “sitting,” instead of just using baby-sitting. I could help expand a whole new profession of dog-sitters. It wouldn’t be the first time that I helped change things in the world to make things better for my fellow man and their best friends. RICHARD SAWYER Hook Mill Court East Hampton September 15, 2015 To the Editor: The East End is changing. Gone are the open fields and farmland, gone are the quiet summer nights and ocean beaches, gone are the Mom and Pop stores that added a small-town feel to a beautiful town. I am talking about, in particular, Amagansett and East Hampton. I live on Accabonac Road in East Hampton. It recently came to my attention that a 12-acre parcel is on the market for development at 28 Accabonac Road. This parcel runs behind my house, as well as about 12 other homes on the other side of the railroad. This area is filled with beautiful old trees and is home to lots of wildlife. I asked a member of the East Hampton Village Board about what is called the Hook Mill Court development. I was told that it had been in the planning stage for about a year and that there were many planning board meetings. Unfortunately, I was told only one person attended the meetings who lived in this area, despite the fact that all the neighbors along Montauk Highway and Fredericka Lane were sent notices. I don’t believe those on the north side of the railroad received any notice, like me, even though they will be directly impacted by the loss of trees and endure the noise of construction. The property was listed to accept sealed bids this month, so, sadly, it looks like another opportunity to preserve an open space in East Hampton will be lost without a fight. Sincerely, JoANN WILDERMUTH Restore Our Waters East Hampton September 21, 2015 To the Editor: Your editorial of Sept. 17 raises questions about various solutions being considered to address Long Island’s serious water quality problems. Please be assured that environmental organizations and leading academics have been deeply involved in the scientific research that has led public officials to make nitrogen reduction a priority in East Hampton and across Long Island. The Nature Conservancy and many of our conservation partners have been working diligently to share scientific data and inform residents and officials about the need for action to clean up our bays and harbors. Yes, in some places on Long Island, investments in new or expanded sewer districts will be needed. We agree that these projects will require oversight to ensure that water quality goals are achieved while simultaneously protecting open spaces and community character. In southern Nassau, a widely endorsed upgrade of the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant would reduce “end-of-pipe” nitrogen pollution. Plans also call for relocating the effluent pipe several miles offshore, away from the nitrogen-choked western bays. In this instance, improving plant efficiencies alone is not enough to protect the environment and human health. Still closer, the Riverhead sewage treatment plant uses state-of-the-art nitrogen-reduction technologies. The effluent, now discharged into the Peconic River, will soon be reused on the Indian Island Golf Course, saving drinkable water, reducing the application of fertilizer, and diverting effluent from the poorly flushed mouth of the river. Sewage treatment plants are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. However, it is up to states and local governments to regulate nitrogen from septic systems and cesspools, the so-called nonpoint sources that are responsible for most of Long Island’s excess nitrogen. The Nature Conservancy, environmental organizations, public officials, environmental staff at agencies, and business leaders have come together on this critical issue. The increasing frequency and severity of swimming and recreation bans due to toxic algae, and of dying finfish and shellfish, stand as compelling evidence of a problem that demands a public response. State, county, and local public officials should be commended for paying attention to the scientific data and real-world evidence of excess nitrogen in our waters. Through the advocacy of many, $5 million has been allocated by New York State for a Long Island nitrogen-reduction plan. We and others are working to ensure that the plan is timely, transparent, fair, and effective, and that local plans are fully integrated with the state plan. Nevertheless, certain actions, such as those described above, need not wait for a completed plan. The longer we wait to begin to fix our water quality problem, the worse it will get, the longer it will take, and the more expensive it will be. Let us start now by implementing projects that we already know with certainty will be required to restore our waters. Cleaning up Long Island’s waters to protect our quality of life, health, and economy is of paramount importance. Demanding the best of all those involved is appropriate, and while there are legitimate concerns about an undertaking of this scope and duration, we cannot let those concerns be reason for inaction. If we fail to fix this problem, future generations will scorn us; rather, let us rise to the challenge and, together, find and execute the best, most prudent ways to solve it. Sincerely, NANCY N. KELLEY Executive Director The Nature Conservancy on Long Island Do the Right Thing Montauk September 21, 2015 To the Editor, I received enthusiastic supportive reactions to my letter to the editor that appeared in the Sept. 17 edition of The Star, in which I posed the question to Sean MacPherson that, given his self-acclaimed love for the natural beauty of Montauk, why didn’t he upgrade the septic systems on his three commercial properties near Lake Montauk. However there were one or two people who took issue with the fact that the sewage problem affecting the lake is not Mr. MacPherson’s sole responsibility. It is, rather, the entire Ditch Plain community that’s contributing to it, and why should Mr. MacPherson be singularly reproached to do something about it? I agree it is a neighborhood, indeed, a townwide problem and it requires a systemic solution in order to truly stem the progressive degradation of our water quality. In fact the town has taken steps in that direction with the commissioning of the Lake Montauk Watershed Management Plan, which recommends many necessary actions of which investigating the septic systems’ contribution to pollution is only one. The town also has retained the firm of Lombardo Associates to work on a townwide wastewater management plan, which singles out the Ditch Plain neighborhood as one of three Montauk areas in need of such a system because of the area’s potential sewage drainage into Lake Montauk. These actions will take many years to implement, and we can’t just sit back and wait for them to take hold. Every one of us, individuals and commercial enterprises, needs to become more aware of how our behavior is contributing to the problem and employ corrective measures out of our own volition in order to decelerate the pollution to our surface waters. Every one of us, homeowners and business owners in Ditch Plain, should examine our septic systems, learn how they function, and improve them to the highest possible grade. Most people don’t even know that at the very least it should be pumped out every few years, depending on its usage. Most of us exclaim loud and clear on social media and to friends everywhere how special Montauk is and how we love its unique natural beauty, of which the abundant surface waters are the most accentuated quality yet we either knowingly or inadvertently pollute those waters. Mr. MacPherson in a big public relations piece that appeared in The Star very glaringly promoted his kinship to the wild environs of Montauk. I wrote the letter to the editor because it sounded like hypocrisy to me that in public he swears his love to the wildness but in actuality he refuses to do something concrete towards preserving a green environment. If he loves the natural beauty of Montauk so much, why won’t he upgrade the septic systems on his three properties? Yes, it’s true he’s not the sole culprit but he is the most prominent and singularly the biggest contributor to the problem. He can lead the way for all of us to do the right thing. Don’t just wait for government, local or otherwise, to fix the problem. You, Mr. MacPherson, and you, ordinary citizens, do the right thing. Doing nothing or doing the bare minimum just so you meet the minimum legal requirements or taking the “it’s not my problem” stance is a betrayal to the one you love, Montauk. LOUIS CORTESE Plastic Bag Ban East Hampton September 21, 2015 Dear David: The ban on the use of thin-ply plastic bags that goes into effect this week is to be applauded. There is unequivocal scientific evidence that these bags cause a myriad of threats to wildlife and marine life, and that they contain chemicals that don’t break down and are hazardous to human health. The fact that the East Hampton Town Board passed this legislation late last year, allowing ample time for retailers and the public to prepare for the change, is also commendable. The statistics regarding the damage done by these bags, cited in Joanne Pilgrim’s article, are startling, and underscore the need for all communities to do their part in helping to protect our fragile environment. Happily, East Hampton is doing just that by enacting this ban. SUE AVEDON Blowing $1 Million East Hampton September 18, 2015 To the Editor: I’m surprised that in this week’s cover story on the $1 million being spent by the town on its airport legal battle there is not even passing reference or a quoted source calling this insanity. You quote Supervisor Cantwell stating that airport revenues and budget surpluses will “easily cover the litigation costs” — but what difference does the ease of coverage make when money is being blown? In typical Star style, you reference residents filing complaints and that complaints are up 63 percent this year, with no reference to those that think this is madness. For example, The East Hampton Press this week references that while in July complaints were up 21 percent from a year ago, the actual number of households filing complaints was down 6 percent. A smaller pool of people filing more complaints. The aircraft fly over my house, but as a human being living in modern times, I am used to flying machines in the air used by humans for transport. Since The Star finds it so difficult to find anyone saying anything reasonable and continues to post editorials in its news section, I will give you a quotable quote: East Hampton is blowing $1 million on lawyers. This money could be used for civic projects or for programs or services for our town’s neediest. The town is effectively using aircraft fuel (pun intended) to set $1 million on fire. How can we let this happen? JON STEINBERG Fees for airport litigation come out of airport revenues, which may not be used for anything other than airport-related costs. Ed. The Cost Is Zero East Hampton September 21, 2015 Dear David, Your headline about the $1 million cost of airport litigation has the potential to be inadvertently misleading. As the story itself makes clear, the cost of the town’s legal defense of its airport noise restrictions is not being borne by the taxpayers. It is paid for entirely by airport users out of airport revenues. The cost to the East Hampton public is zero. One might, however, assume that this expense reduces the amount of money that the airport gives over to the town. This would be a mistake too, because the airport is legally forbidden by Federal Aviation Administration grant assurances from paying so much as a dime to the town’s general fund. All income derived from the defined airport property, both aviation and nonaviation-related, including all rents from the Industrial Park, the cell tower lease, and the gun club lease, must be used exclusively to support the operations, maintenance, and capital projects of the airport. Moreover, so long as the airport is used as an airport, this is true in perpetuity. East Hampton taxpayers cannot derive any direct economic benefit whatsoever from the 600 acres of town-owned airport property. All revenue derived is for the exclusive benefit of airport users. Needless to say, this is an enormous public subsidy given by the East Hampton public to the commercial helicopter and jet operators. One might expect a little gratitude to the people of East Hampton. Instead, when our democratically elected town board acted to protect the public from the chronic disruption of airport noise, commercial airport operators commenced six different legal actions in an attempt to force the town to stand down and let them continue to run riot. The only silver lining here is that they themselves have to pay the town’s legal expenses through increased user fees. All of these legal actions have but one ultimate purpose, to return control of East Hampton Airport to the F.A.A. so that our town board will again be powerless to protect the public. If they were successful, noise control would again be impossible, as it was until January of this year when F.A.A. control expired. So much for the repeated (ad nauseam) claim of the Friends that they “remain deeply committed to working with the local community.” Their six legal actions demonstrate that the only thing they are committed to is continuing to steal the peace and quiet of our homes and gardens to line their own pockets. Supervisor Larry Cantwell and the town board members Sylvia Overby and Peter Van Scoyoc are willing to defend us and our right to quiet enjoyment of our homes. Having spent nearly 30 years immersed in aviation noise law, I am personally confident the town will prevail. The Republican candidates Tom Knobel, Margaret Turner, and Lisa Larsen are not willing to defend local control. Instead, they want to return our airport to F.A.A. control and make any noise control restrictions impossible. For those of us burdened by airport noise, the choice in November could not be more stark or more compelling. Sincerely, PAT TRUNZO III Lawsuits at the Airport Wainscott September 17, 2015 Dear Editor, Recent radio advertisements on the local station have Tom Knobel bashing the current administration. He mentions the lawsuits at the airport (front page Sept. 17 edition of The Star). He apparently has a case of amnesia! His shenanigans regarding the overhaul of the main runway, where a phantom with a broken ruler caused it to become 100 feet wide and the load-bearing weight mysteriously extended from 45,000 pounds to 65,000 pounds for the special interests he was in bed with and still is. Look at his donation list. I wonder who is at the top? He was no doubt “concerned” about the impact it would have on the quality of life as larger jets, more helicopters, and now the dreaded seaplanes started visiting. His mantra then was the three monkeys routine: see, hear, and speak no evil. Especially toward the special interests he served. Of course, let us forget that the town (us) had to pave 40,000 square feet of apron for Sound Aircraft as a settlement of his wonderful accomplishments. Well, we have suffered long enough with the constant disruption of any sort of peace and quiet we are entitled to. With him it will continue and get worse. When Larry Cantwell and his administration took the reins, civility took over board meetings and the public was no longer abused by Emperor Willie, his attack dog Theresa Quigley, and the disingenuous Dominick Stanzione. I guess Mr. Knobel was too busy at the Board of Elections to notice or was it duct tape? The Cantwell team took a courageous path that acknowledged the deterioration of the quality of life that was the result of this facility being transformed into a jet, seaplane, and helicopter nuisance. It looked like a mini-J.F.K., with the size of the jets and aircraft sitting there. They listened to their constituency not only here but those in other towns, and took the step no one else dared to take. So the current lawsuits by the so-called Friends of the Airport are a direct result of the fruits of Mr. Knobel’s efforts. As he brags, “I know how to get things done.” You sure did, pal. Unfortunately, we reaped what you have sown. The brave steps taken by Mr. Cantwell and the town board in refusing Federal Aviation Administration money and implementing the curfew and restrictions may not be 100 percent perfect, but it is the beginning, and they will move forward to protect and serve us. Those “Friends of the Airport” whose unmitigated gall to sue us so they can continue to run amok and put us in danger from the mayhem they create. Go to hell! There is no law that states that it has to remain open. We are important because we own it, not you. When your deep pockets are empty, blame yourselves and we will sue you to recover the funds. We will hit back hard! I will bet what is left of my life that the first thing Mr. Knobel and his election committee will do is reach out like lemmings and grab F.A.A. funding to appease his aircraft backers and return total chaos. Let us give a shout-out and re-elect Mr. Cantwell and the town board for their efforts on behalf of those of us who seek a return to some quality of life, not only here but Montauk as well. At least they are trying. And did something. ARTHUR J. FRENCH Cash Is Sufficient East Hampton September 21, 2015 Dear David, We are in an election year. So of course the airport and the suffering by noise that it imposes on thousands who never use it is an election issue, as it has been for decades. The difference now is that the current town board was able to act, for the very first time, to start to curb this offensive noise because F.A.A. control of our airport expired at the end of 2014. This board’s first steps are not enough, but, make no mistake, the Republican Party and its candidates want to drag us backwards into the tentacles of the F.A.A. so that we will never have relief from noise. The Republican supervisor candidate, Tom Knobel, is the very same person who, as leader of the Republican town board majority in 1997, illegally expanded the main runway in violation of the direct prohibition in the town’s duly adopted 1989 airport master plan. The town obtained F.A.A. financing for that project by relying on a never-adopted 1994 airport layout plan, while simultaneously denying that it was relying on that plan in order to evade the New York State law requirement of environmental review. Eight years, and many twists and turns in the road later, that peculation by the town was one of the main reasons that the F.A.A. agreed to free us from its control at the end of 2014, seven years before the stated expiration of the last F.A.A. grant agreement. Mr. Knobel is unrepentant. He continues openly to advocate, no demand, that the town again obtain F.A.A. money, rendering noise relief impossible. The Republican town board candidate Margaret Turner has also advocated publicly for F.A.A. money. Lisa Larsen, another Republican town board candidate, has not explicitly urged the town to take money from the F.A.A., but she says she is willing to do so despite the loss of local control that would result. Ms. Larsen, however, openly opposes the town’s legal defense of its airport noise restrictions. She insists that there be “compromise.” But the only compromise she envisions is to concede to the helicopter operators everything but the curfews that, standing alone, do very little to relieve the problem. She would not allow any other measures to reduce the volume, frequency, concentration, or noise level of aviation traffic. She insists upon the status quo. Her stated concern is the cost of litigation. She should stop worrying. The entire cost of defending the town’s airport noise restrictions is paid by airport users, in the form of landing fees. Come what may, there will be no expense to East Hampton taxpayers. Not so much as a penny. Moreover, our local-based pilots pay no landing fees at all. So the litigation is also at no expense to them. The cost of the town’s defense of its right to regulate its own airport for the public good will be borne primarily by jet and helicopter users. I am confident they can afford it. Indeed, the town’s business and finance advisory committee’s airport finance subcommittee, on which I served, was asked by Supervisor Cantwell to analyze an airport budget that called for $3 million of litigation expense, $1 million per year for the years 2015 through 2017, and $7 million of airport capital expenditures over five years. The existing airport cash flow, without any landing fee increase, is sufficient to pay for all of it. The $1 million reported in the press to be spent this year for legal defense is right in line with the airport litigation budget. There is, however, a great irony in this. When the town prohibited a high-speed ferry terminal in Montauk, to prevent an epic traffic jam there by people using Montauk to get to casinos in Connecticut, the town was also sued. That legal defense cost $1.1 million — but of actual taxpayer money, not higher fees to ferry passengers. The town was, of course, successful. The plaintiff’s suit was dismissed. The ferry ban stands. I live on the west side of town, where people in Wainscott, Northwest, and the village are adversely affected by airport noise. I don’t recall anyone ever complaining that the defense of the quality of life of our fellow citizens in Montauk was too expensive. Everyone in town stood in solidarity with Montauk, as we do when their beaches are affected, when water quality in Georgica is affected, when open space in Amagansett is on the block, when alcohol-induced behavior is out of control in Montauk or Indian Wells. The great irony is that the plaintiffs who sued the town in an attempt to overturn the high-speed ferry ban, at a cost of $1.1 million to all of us, including those of us farthest from Montauk, were Ms. Larsen’s own family, the Forsbergs, and their company, Viking Ferry. If Ms. Larsen were elected to the town board, will she be advocating for the repeal of the high-speed ferry ban? Or does she perhaps believe that the quality of life of Montauk residents is important, but, as for the rest of us — not so much? Supervisor Larry Cantwell and the town council members Sylvia Overby and Peter Van Scoyoc, all running for re-election, are willing to defend us and our right to quiet enjoyment of our homes. DAVID GRUBER A Personal True Story East Hampton September 10, 2015 Dear David, I write today in reference to the residents who write in regularly to complain how unbearable the noise is from aircraft which use the East Hampton Airport, since their homes are in such close proximity to the loud arrivals and departures. Everyone knows this issue has been going on for years. Although the town board took numerous actions to moderate it, it seems, according to the proximate residents’ writings, that it has gotten worse, not better. Some even complain that they are unable to not only enjoy quality of life, but their livelihoods are adversely affected. Wow! Now that is serious! Action is needed. I don’t live close to the airport, so I am unable to identify how serious the issue is, and it is not my number-one top issue. My top issue in East Hampton Township is traffic. The traffic is a situation that affects us all, whether you are a local, or a summer resident, or a weekend visitor occasionally, or one of the thousands of daily contractors and vendors who supply our town with services and goods. It not only costs us our valuable time, but the added transportation delays get baked in to everything that we purchase year-round. I certainly am not an advocate for closing the airport. Actually, I believe that if it was expanded, we might have a little less traffic, from not only the cars, which the uber-rich use, but also big logistics companies (UPS, FedEx) may schedule fuel-efficient aircraft to a hub they create just to relieve their issue supplying the East End of the South Fork. Anyway, I have digressed. I wrote to address the seriously affected homeowners with a potential solution, in the form of a personal true story. When I came back from overseas in the early ’70s, I got assigned to a mine squadron in Charleston, S.C., because I came from Montauk and had fishing experience, and was coxswain-rated. I got assigned to Rear Admiral James Dare, who was outfitting a 36-foot personal boat to take offshore two or three times a week. Admiral Dare was a lean, hard, no-nonsense sailor, who actually was a midshipman assigned to the U.S.S. Arizona on the day of the Pearl Harbor attack. Many times we would go to the 100-fathom curve (42 miles) with a guest, and many times we went with just my engine man. But we never turned around, regardless of sea state, once we left the dock. Many times when it was rough, we came back with every window broken out, but since he had sole control of all sweep OPS of both coasts with their logistics to put her back together, it was no matter. Again I have digressed. My story is that one day, he took his wife. As we were clearing the jetties in light chop, she said, “James, it’s too rough!” in a high whiney-type voice. This compelled the admiral to order me to come about and go down the Intercoastal Waterway. He went up into the tower, I think to cool off, because he wasn’t wanting a picnic cruise down to I.C.W. versus going to catch sails and wahoo. Anyway, we came to a 60-degree bend in the river, and approaching us aport at 30 knots was a 100-foot-plus yacht. I looked over my right shoulder and saw a speedboat with two water skiers overtaking us on our starboard quarter. Before I could take action, he flew down and yelled “I have the conn!” As I stepped aside and observed, he put the throttles in the corner and headed straight for the big boy’s wake, which was huge! Mrs. Dare was back in the cushioned fighting chair. We hit hard, and the bowsprays cleared the tower and drenched the admiral’s wife. She immediately screamed, “James!” He nonchalantly turned and replied, “What?” She replied in that whiney voice, “I’m getting wet!” His reply was, “What about it?” She hesitated, and said more softly, looking for empathy, “But, James, I’m getting wet!” His final reply, as he cast a slight grin in my direction, was, “Well, move!” End of story. I have to commend the town board for its efforts to try to address this issue, which does affect some number of town citizens, who unfortunately purchased property near the airport and its approach-departure lanes, and I truly do have some empathy for the audible disruption, which I’m sure has seriously affected their quality of life in this bucolic town. I hope my story adds some value to resolve their issue. Respectfully, ANDREW HANSON Welcome All Visitors Bradenton Beach, Fla. September 18, 2015 Dear Editor: This is a hard letter to write. I have many friends in Montauk — locals, seasonals, of which I am now one; retirees, shop owners, restaurant owners, property developers, contractors, bartenders, waiters, fishermen, the list goes on. I have been fishing out here since I was 14, first with Charlie Sarno, my stepdad’s boat captain, then with Boots, then Barry, then Ricky. I have seen the many changes to the small fishing village. There are vistas that still take my breath away. There are crazy new clubs that make me smile, reminiscent of the wild evenings I spent here in my 20s and 30s and maybe even 40s. My son and friends had many a wild night here. Okay, we become overpopulated for about nine weeks in the summer, we are inundated with a few obnoxious 20-somethings who give the entire crowd of invaders a bad name. I would make a strong guess that the majority of residents speaking out about the unacceptable situation this summer are well over 55, their children educated, their homes paid for, their winter trips and vacations all in order, their BMWs comfortably parked in the garage, their Manhattan apartments or winter ski lodges awaiting their arrival. Those under that age are probably leasing out their homes here for a few short weeks in order to pay for their over-the-top gasoline bills, their heating bills, the food for their children, the future tuition for college, the mortgage, the car payments, etc. etc. etc. Bottom line, you just can’t keep a spectacular place like this to yourself undisturbed. Find a way to make the disturbance manageable, keep the beauty, welcome all respectful visitors, young and old. Welcome well-intentioned progress. Regrettably, time marches on. My mother used to say, “Rich or poor, it’s nice to have money.” I feel, crowded or peaceful, it’s wonderful to have Montauk. VALERIE FLYNN Injudicious Decision Springs September 19, 2015 Dear Editor, The East Hampton Democratic Campaign Committee has sent out invitations to meet and speak with the candidates on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. This day is the holiest Jewish day of the year, Yom Kippur. It is a day of prayer and fasting; and it ends with a traditional gathering to break the fast for family and friends after sundown. This would never be scheduled on Christmas, Ramadan, Cinco de Mayo, or Kwanza. There’d be great pains taken to not offend those communities. The injudicious decision to set this date was a sign that those scheduling it were insufferably obtuse. A public apology would go a long way towards gaining forgiveness for this thoughtless disrespect. DOLORES C. WEINBERG Lives in East Hampton Amagansett September 21, 2015 To the Editor: I am addressing the letters to the editor in last week’s edition that purposely and incorrectly called into question Tom Knobel’s place of residence. Such fabrication is not only a waste of time, but more to the point, it deflects voters from the real issues in this upcoming election. As such, I hope to put this red herring to bed. Here are the facts: Tom Knobel, the East Hampton Republican Party’s supervisor candidate, has lived in East Hampton full time since 1976. Tom and his wife, Eileen, purchased a second home in Holbrook in 2007, hardly an indictment in light of the fact that many residents of our community have second homes throughout our country. I personally own a second home in Maine! Tom has worked at the Board of Elections in Yaphank since 2000. Tom and his wife, Eileen, have never rented their East Hampton house. The truth is this: Tom has a long history of serving our community, not only as an elected official but also as a community volunteer. He lives in Springs and also has deep roots in Amagansett and our fishing community. His employment may take him west of the Shinnecock Canal, but Tom Knobel resides in East Hampton, is passionate about East Hampton, and has the skill, knowledge, and leadership abilities to help our community solve some of its most pressing issues. End of story. Let’s talk about the important issues facing our community and not waste your readers’ time purporting incorrect facts. DAWN BROPHY Exploring All Options East Hampton September 20, 2015 Dear David, I would like to thank the Group for Good Government and your newspaper for sponsoring the supervisor and town board candidates’ debate this past Saturday. It was great to have the opportunity to talk about my background and some of my ideas. My platform stresses quality-of-life issues and the need for enforcement of our codes and laws. With successful enforcement, many of our quality-of-life issues could be resolved. However, our police department, code enforcement, and fire marshal’s offices are understaffed. During the debate, I praised the community preservation fund. It is an ingenious piece of legislation, and to say it has served us well is an understatement. With that, I pointed out that monies collected from the 2-percent real estate transfer tax have far exceeded anyone’s expectations, due to the astronomical increase in property values over the past two decades. Almost $15 million has been collected in the first half of this year alone. It is vitally important to protect our environment, and it is equally important to provide for the people of our community, as they are a part of this environment. I suggested that legislation at the state level could earmark part of the 2-percent transfer tax into a fund to provide town services that are much needed, such as affordable housing, a new senior citizens center, etc. In my opinion, exploring all options and offering them to the voters for a referendum is not a bad thing. In order to achieve results, we must have funding. Lastly, I would like to thank all of my supporters in the Independence Party for coming out and voting for me in the primary election. Receiving the most votes is surely an indication that people are ready for a change. LISA MULHERN-LARSEN People Inspire Me East Hampton September 20, 2015 Dear David, A town supervisor is challenged to address many serious issues and listen to complaints and opinions. You have your ups and downs when you take every one of them seriously, and at times some of the negative opinions can get the best of you. But then people inspire you with their love of community. On Friday I attended the Surfers Healing event at Ditch Plain, where autistic children swam and surfed for the first time in their lives. There were the East Hampton Lions Club, Ocean Rescue Squad, Montauk firefighters, ambulance volunteers, and many others pitching in. On Saturday at the 50th anniversary Springs Fire Department parade and celebration a man came up to introduce himself. He told me he has been a second-home owner in Springs for 20 years and said this celebration in the heart of historic Springs represents the small-town values he loves about this hamlet. At the recycling center on Sunday a resident of Amagansett said hi. She said she was going through some tough times but every day she goes down to the ocean beach and is inspired by the beauty and pinches herself for being so blessed to live here. The same day at the floating dock at the head of Three Mile Harbor I was talking to an elderly man sitting in his beach chair snapper fishing. He said he wouldn’t trade living in East Hampton for anything. It may have been a tough summer in some ways but the people of our town share a powerful sense of place. Thank you for inspiring me. LARRY CANTWELL Issues and Solutions Wainscott September 20, 2015 To the Editor: I want to thank the Group for Good Government and The East Hampton Star, joint sponsors of the Sept. 19 debate, for giving me the opportunity to present some of my positions and goals for solutions to, and improvement of, the current board’s handling of the many issues we face. This forum gave the voters of East Hampton the chance to listen to both sides at the same time, while comparing the relevance and authenticity of each candidate’s response. For those unable to attend the debate it is available on LTV. The questions covered a good cross-section of the issues plaguing our day-to-day lives. Unfortunately for the town, many of the issues are repeatedly discussed each election cycle and we appear to be no closer to solutions for many of those same problems. When elected to the board, I will work to step up the pace while searching for creative solutions. It is imperative that the 2016 town board elevate its operation to a point where solutions outnumber the many outstanding issues that have languished throughout so many past administrations. MARGARET TURNER An Invaluable Tool Amagansett September 20, 2015 Dear David, The community preservation fund has been an invaluable tool in preserving East Hampton from the suburban sprawl that has occurred to our west. From the first property purchased in 1999, the town has preserved open space, farmland, environmentally sensitive lands, and historic properties. These purchases have preserved our community character, helped protect water quality, and provided public access to woodland trails and our precious water bodies, including our bays and ocean beaches. In Springs, an outreach to property owners who may be willing to sell their land is under way as we consider the possibility of purchasing 112 targeted properties in environmentally sensitive areas or those in the Harbor Protection Overlay districts or those next to already preserved property, adding to open space in Springs and reducing density in our most populated hamlet. Waterfront properties already purchased in Springs over the last two years include parcels on Accabonac Harbor, Three Mile Harbor, and Hog Creek. Similarly, in less then two years, this town board purchased 26 parcels in the Lake Montauk watershed in a similar targeted outreach. I am proud of the town board’s efforts to continue the legacy of C.P.F. purchases for the benefit of all those who live here. SYLVIA OVERBY Councilwoman Trustees and the State Amagansett September 14, 2015 Dear Mr. Rattray, I am seeking support from the community in the upcoming election as an East Hampton Town trustee. This is my first time as a candidate and I have found the experience very educational. I have heard many of my family, close friends, and acquaintances express their encouragement and backing. I am looking forward to doing my best for my community once elected. For those who may not know me, my name is Mike Havens. I am a lifelong resident of East Hampton and follow in the footsteps of many generations of my family as a bayman. My interest in joining the board of trustees is to add my experience and expertise to the discussions and projects regarding the harbors; to keep them open to navigation as well as stocked with fish and shellfish, as well as the erosion issues for the beaches. To that end, the ability to dredge the channels is imperative. Through my dad (Benny) a bayman, who later in life worked on a state research boat, I have had the pleasure of developing relationships with some of those folks who work with the state. Therefore, I can assist the board in understanding the state’s issues and requirements for dredging and help the state understand the unique ability of the board of trustees. In the next few weeks I will be attending as many meet-the-candidate events as possible, and I look forward to speaking with anyone who has a question or concern. MIKE HAVENS Regarding an Ad Amagansett September 18, 2015 Dear David, I feel compelled to set this record straight regarding an ad in your paper. The ad was funded by the East Hampton Town Republicans. Intentionally known for their lack of truthiness, but still. The Republican ad states, “The East Hampton Republican trustees have safeguarded your security in government.” Huh? The current Republican-majority trustees have tried their darndest to torture, evade, and sidestep the directives of our current town board (see Indian Wells Beach alcohol restrictions), which has not safeguarded my security in their governing one bit. The Republican ad states that “the Republican trustees” have the “stability to protect access to the beach.” Is “stability” a new Republican definition of “lawyers on retainer?” The ad praises a “first time ever female clerk.” Whoop de do. I would praise more science and less argument. More collegiality and less stonewalling. More openness and less legacy-editing. I can attest to the latter (legacy editing), as my people reportedly lost the Nicholls patent (in the 1630s) in a rigged skittles game, to the Dongans, who created the damned trustees in the first place! All good things, DIANA WALKER Coastal Responsibilities Amagansett September 20, 2015 Dear David, Congratulations to the town board and the Natural Resources Department’s Kim Shaw and John Sousa-Botos for organizing such an excellent educational conference for the benefit of East Hampton town staff, the Z.B.A., Planning Board and Planning Department, and all elected officials, including the trustees. Presented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Mr. Sousa-Botos, the conference addressed coastal responsibilities of various staff and appointed boards in order to build a more resilient coastal community. The conference utilized many planning resources including digital software, and it was a good opportunity for all of East Hampton’s staff involved in planning and zoning to communicate with each other. Communication is a key factor when looking ahead to deal with storms, coastal erosion, and the existing and future hazards of climate change. The absence of an important town body was noticed by one participant who asked where the current trustees were. The participant felt that the trustees should have been there, because this conference was all about our beaches and coastline problems. However, the Democratic trustee candidates Francis Bock, Tyler Armstrong, and I were there to represent and report back to our colleagues the substance of this important meeting. Sincerely, RONA KLOPMAN Egg-Free Products East Hampton September 16, 2015 Dear Editor, McDonald’s pledge last week to start using cage-free eggs is only a small step in preventing staggering suffering endured by millions of birds. Hatcheries that annually supply 200 million female hens for U.S. egg production, including cage-free, also kill the same number of male chicks at birth by grinding them up alive in industrial macerators or suffocating them slowly in plastic garbage bags. The female laying hens endure a lifetime of misery, crammed with five or six others in small wire-mesh cages that cut into their feet and tear out their feathers. Eggs are common carriers of food-borne bacteria, including salmonella, campylobacter, listeria, and staphylococcus. The Department of Agriculture estimates that salmonella alone accounts for 1.3 million U.S. illnesses and 500 deaths annually. Eggs contain saturated fat and cholesterol, key factors in the incidence of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. They are a common cause of allergies in children. Waste from millions of egg-laying hens ends up in waterways, rendering vast areas unsuited for recreation or water supply. The good news for compassionate, health-conscious, eco-friendly consumers is that our local supermarket offers a number of delicious egg substitutes and egg-free food products. Entering “egg-free” in a search engine returns tons of recipes. ELIJAH HANNESBURG Parking at Preserves Montauk September 21, 2015 Dear David, In last week’s Star, an East End Dune Residents Association member, Jonathan Wallace, treated us once again to what’s now become his weekly Dolphin diatribe. Poor Mr. Wallace feels picked upon, when a few citizens let it be known that we are onto his game. A small group of elitists, the anti-access-axis, simply does not want to allow traffic at Dolphin Drive. Apparently it offends their delicate senses to see their neighbors have safe and convenient access to South Flora. Sadly, most of us see through this facade about this being an environmental issue. They are just hijacking a public preserve bought with C.P.F. funds and are threatening to sue if they don’t get their way. It’s bullying, plain and simple, because these people have absolutely no authority to tell public-beach goers, who outnumber them 100 to 1, where, when, and how we should park on a public road, located next to a beach purchased with public funds. Supervisor Cantwell and his cronies should have shown some leadership and immediately put their foot down. Why are they allowing these malcontents to dictate to them what our beach access parking policies should be? Public parking, next to and near homes, is currently allowed at six other preserves in East Hampton, including Amsterdam, Boys and Girls Harbor, Culloden, Sammy’s Beach, Fresh Pond, and Shadmoor. So why does Dolphin Drive deserve special treatment? Diane McNally, a valued trustee and a dedicated public protector, asked the Dolphin bunch not to use smoke-and-mirror tactics to make Dolphin Drive an environmental issue. How many pro-environmental organizations do we need to parade in front of the town board to validate this point? CfAR, the East Hampton Town Trustees, the Surf Riders Foundation, the Montauk Surfcasters Association, the New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing, and the town’s preservation committee all favor parking at Dolphin Drive. All believe that allowing a reasonable amount of parking will have no environmental impact on South Flora, whatsoever. Senior citizens, frail and disabled beachgoers, families with small children and sportspeople will be put in danger and be inconvenienced, if at least some parking spaces aren’t provided at Dolphin. The public shouldn’t have to cross Montauk Highway and walk 1,000 feet, dodging traffic all the way, to access South Flora! We deserve at least 12 parking spaces there, so South Flora doesn’t become a private beach. Mr. Wallace’s ridiculous contention that Dolphin-gate is a political maneuver made by Republicans to come up with an anti-Democratic issue in time for the election cycle, is pure baloney! Two respected local newspapers — The Star, which counts many Democrats as loyal readers, and The Independent, which often fiercely represents Republican viewpoints, have both written editorials favoring public parking. This is an everyman’s and woman’s issue, not a Republican or Democratic issue. It is, however, a sad truth that the current town board, with a four-Democrat majority, appears to be mishandling this issue. Additionally, his assertion that South Flora will become the next Montauk is just another deflective, self-serving tactic. It’s just another one of our beautiful preserves, and allowing 12 or so parking spots there will not make it Woodstock. I urge all of my fishing and surfing buddies, as well as local citizens, homeowners, and seasonal residents, to rally around the Dolphin-gate issue. A weak town board that refuses to protect our right to fair and safe beach access is of no use in a town that thrives on beach usage and an ocean-related economy. It’s a sad day for East Hampton when a town board, regardless of its majority political makeup, shirks its responsibility, to the detriment of its vast electorate. Granting “golfing buddy” status, showing favoritism, trading for votes, pandering and engaging in nod-and-a-wink politics are all unacceptable. We are a beach town, first and foremost. With regard to South Flora, Supervisor Cantwell and the board may be throwing the public under the bus, as elitists will never give the public a fair shake with regard to parking near their homes. Our town board should follow the lead of our trustees, the only true body politic that has always and steadfastly made access decisions that benefit the best interests of the majority of public stakeholders, and doesn’t practice any political agenda! JAY BLATT Conservative Beliefs Amagansett September 17, 2015 To the Editor: Our government has one achievement in its eight years since electing the most socialist ever. It prioritizes wrongly and supports the most horrific and dangerous. Nuclear proliferation, Islamic terrorism, and of course never naming it. Meaning they will conquer us and most likely the loser. I just hope the 2016 election will answer back with conservative beliefs that back America’s patriotism and why our forefathers fought for freedom and independence. People are fearful and solely justified. So let us focus in on what is right and not follow the footsteps of World War II and its insurmountable disasters and win. So America, get sensible! Sincerely, LINDA PRINCE Trump With the Football East Rockaway September 18, 2015 Dear Editor, The “football” usually refers to the secret codes the president has to use in times of war, certainly to use nuclear weapons. Now, all the good folks who are attracted to Donald Trump for whatever reasons, look at your family, your friends, all those you care about. Then look in the mirror and tell yourself, if you can, that you would trust Donald Trump with the football. Sincerely, STEVEN HARWIN Change From Outside Sag Harbor September 21, 2015 To the Editor, Cluster bombs, the widely outlawed munitions that kill and maim indiscriminately, were strongly criticized by 117 nations five years ago. I was shocked to learn the United States, which has not signed the treaty to ban these weapons, still produces and exports cluster bombs to any nation in the world that can pay for them. The bottom line is money. People don’t matter. But this moment, millions of refugees and immigrants cry out for human survival — suffering never seen before. The high question is, what nations are responsible? And how many should each country take? The United States has been slow to respond. Many of our leaders, Republicans and Democrats, have suggested 100,000 at least. Based on our many wars which create these refugees, we’re responsible for our fair share. Some surely will cry out “too much.” Let’s remind ourselves, those innocently suffering are human just like ourselves. At least stop the selling of cluster bombs, and care about people. Other players on the scene today. Bernie Sanders filled the town hall in Manhattan for the first time. In Iowa and New Hampshire he has passed Hillary Clinton. Why is this event so important? Because I believe real change in our country can only come from outside the system. Not Donald Trump. Sanders ridiculed the Republican field and called for sweeping progressive change. Many times, Sanders has spoken out about corporations that don’t pay tax, General Electric for one. I just noticed in The New York Times that Coca-Cola owes $3.3 billion to the I.R.S. in federal taxes and interest for 2007 to 2009, the company said on Friday. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Coca-Cola said it has been following the same method for determining its taxable United States income for nearly 30 years. Sanders and Elizabeth Warren intend to try to bust big corporations down to size. This is known as corporate welfare, which creates welfare for the poor. Sanders wants free public universities nationwide, $15 minimum wage, and higher taxes for the rich. He does not represent the interests of corporate America or the billionaire class. I don’t want their money in Super PACs. Sanders spent a long time charging that Republican presidential contenders exist in a “parallel universe.” He slammed them for not discerning the grotesque level of income and wealth inequality, as well as the need to end institutional racism and manmade global warming. Here we have a candidate who represents the people and cares for the people and needs our vote for hope. Finally, the last player, the pope, will repeat more of the above and what the last three popes have said, we got rid of communism, next is capitalism. Capitalism is literally destroying our culture and well-being. At least I plead with you to think about the 2016 revolution. In peace, LARRY DARCEY Ask Him, He’ll Tell You East Hampton September 10, 2015 Dear Editor, A candidate for the Republican nomination for president of the United States has captured the minds of enough Republican primary voters that he is their leading candidate for the nomination. Laughingly referred to as an add-on candidate who would burn brightly for awhile and then burn out, he has not followed that script. Instead, he embarked on a campaign of street rhetoric, abusive putdowns, personal affronts, off-the-cuff insults, and abrasive rebuttals to anyone who had the temerity to criticize those tactics. Of course, he says he is a billionaire and needs no contributions or anything else from lobbyists who might have calls upon him. So he goes on: Hispanics are rapists, blacks are irrelevant, women are bleeding orifices, other candidates are weak-kneed, encumbered with lobbyists, homely, and not worthy of discussion. He just goes about saying anything he thinks will garner him the support of those disenchanted with Washington in general and politicians specifically. He has succeeded in that effort to a degree never seen before. He leads in the early polls around the country. He became the hero of the disenchanted voter on the right, and now, it seems, is a legitimate candidate for the Republican nomination for president. Of course, the fact that the other 15 mummies are dummies has helped his disrespectful quest. This candidate refers to current U.S. leadership, and generally leadership of the six greatest nations on earth, as “stupid,” and presents himself as the answer to every problem that exists in the world. From Iran to Afghanistan, from same-sex marriage to Obamacare, it matters not; Trump says he has the answers. What those answers are remains to be told when he has the time. Only he is the means to returning the country to its greatness. Ask him, he’ll tell you. Which reminds me to congratulate a recent Star letter-writer on concluding all that I have written above and added some, that such a voice was heard in 1933 in Germany and look what that brought us. You said it, brother! RICHARD P. HIGER
Published 5 years ago
Last updated 5 years ago
Letters to the Editor: 09.24.15
September 24, 2015