Letters to the Editor: 10.27.16

Bonac Clam Pie

Our feet sink as we dig,

rakes in our hands,

sifting through muck with hidden clams.

 

The harvest season‚

subject to tides,

locked in rotations and pulls‚

has cycled back.

 

We hammer the shore,

filling 10-gallon buckets.

Skin pruned, we face the work

that bottles our past

 

when wampum was currency,

and coiled beads objects of value.

It didn’t matter whether it was a Little Neck or cherrystone

because they were all quahogs that filled pies.

LENA VERGNES

Crossing Main Street

East Hampton

October 23, 2016

Dear Editor,

As you most likely know, the Reutershan parking lot is named for Donald Reutershan, who lost his life crossing Main Street-Route 27. It baffles the mind that some people, most likely the entitled among us, cross where they want, when they want. I’m not sure that future parking lots will be named for them.

SUSAN METZGER

Problem on Main Street

October 23, 2016

East Hampton

To the Editor:

A topic covered thoughtfully in a recent editorial, then again addressed in a letter in your current issue, is the danger and frequency of jaywalking (an illegal action, I believe) across East Hampton Main Street (a.k.a. State Highway 27), and also on Newtown Lane. The crosswalks are there, but in my experience an enormous number of people ignore them, particularly on Newtown Lane, I see people jaywalking within 25 feet of a crosswalk, yet I find drivers on that street are generally very careful to honor the crosswalks. Perhaps it is a folly to think that jaywalkers will change their habits, but the issuing of tickets does not seem to have been attempted. 

However, I’d like to make a radical suggestion for dealing with the problem on Main Street. Route 27 from South­ampton to Montauk is a two-lane highway, as we all know very well. But for the length of Main Street in East Hampton, suddenly there are four lanes. There is no question that this causes traffic to move faster and more thoughtlessly. Why not create a landscaped median strip of the middle two lanes? Then, in the absence of a crosswalk at the movie theater and Starbucks axis, jaywalkers would at least be able to cross each lane individually, and much more safely. 

There is also historical precedent for this if one looks at any period drawings of the village. Yes, it would slow down traffic, but surely that would not be a bad thing. It might go some of the distance in restoring a certain genuine small-town feeling to the village.

Cordially,

FRED KOLO

Destroys a Neighborhood

East Hampton

October 24, 2016

Dear Mr. Rattray,

In response to your article “Full Speed Ahead on Cedar Street,” I feel strongly that the members of the school board need to re-evaluate their approach to building a new bus depot. The residential situation around the school district has significantly changed in the nearly 50 years the school has been on Long Lane, and I don’t believe there is any reasonable location on the campus for a bus depot. 

Furthermore, the suggested location on Cedar Street would require students to practice and play baseball right next to a working bus depot and its consequential noise, exhaust, and fumes. Not only this, but the additional traffic caused by buses and their drivers near an already dangerous intersection of Hand’s Creek and Cedar Street creates safety issues for everyone. As both a former teacher and parent of sons who played sports at the high school, I see this as detrimental to the community as well as the district. 

Therefore, it seems clear to me that the board should use as its starting point that it will not house a bus depot on its campus. Once the board has resolved that the current plan destroys a neighborhood, devalues property, and alters the safety of the roads and the playing fields, then its energies can move constructively into finding a solution that will better suit the needs of the district, the parents, and, above all, the students.

NIKKI JACKSON

Stop and Re-Evaluate

East Hampton

October 24, 2016

Dear Mr. Rattray,

Upon reading the article “Full Speed Ahead on Cedar Street,” I am frankly shocked that the board would consider using that valuable land dedicated to the education and well-being of our children. There are many options for a bus barn, but this school land is irreplaceable once gone. 

In addition, there is no indication that an independent environmental study or traffic study has been performed. How can anyone think that a refueling facility on the high school grounds is safe? The town and village have just built the new fueling facility with the grant from the state near the recycling center. The cost savings alone to join this group should make the board stop and re-evaluate their proposed plan. 

I would hate to think that we are giving more consideration to the plight of the plover than we are to the safety and well-being of our own children. We need to join together to protect the well-being of children before it is too late!

NANCY H. McLAUGHLIN

Slow Down and Rethink

East Hampton

October 24, 2016

Dear Mr. Rattray,

In response to the article “Full Speed Ahead on Cedar Street,” referring to the East Hampton School District’s proposed bus depot, it seems to me it is time for the district to slow down and rethink this proposal. The district definitely needs a depot, but not there. 

The district’s statement alone, that it plans to “reduce” the bus depot’s “impact” on any neighbor, means it is expecting negative impacts. These impacts include reduction of safety because of additional bus and car traffic entering and exiting the facility and competing for the road with fire engines and ambulances; unsightly buildings, noise, fumes, threats of pollution, and reduction of real estate values to homeowners, just to name a few. The only logical conclusion the school board can draw is that a bus depot on the campus, which is in the midst of residential areas, is an ill-conceived idea. 

The Cedar Street location was considered the worst of all the sites reviewed on campus, yet the district has changed its tune, saying the worst is now the best. One hopes the district will see the light and focus its energies and its desire to spend taxpayer dollars on finding an appropriate location off campus.

LORNE SINGH

Stop This Expansion

Springs

October 24, 2016

Dear David,

I live in Clearwater Beach. Every time I go anywhere, I drive down Three Mile Harbor Road. I have watched Damark’s Deli for years, since 2002. Bruce Damark does a great business. Cars are always in and out of the store area, usually causing a bit of jockeying by all who are passing by, like me, especially since there’s another very heavily traveled road that empties into Three Mile Harbor less than a half a block past the store. Very busy area! And to make it worse, passing though that same area during the torrential rain on Friday, the wastewater was up over my tires. That puddle resembled the harbor it is near.

But (and there is a big but) I can appreciate someone wanting to make more money. Why should this guy be any different than all the others who have used and abused East Hampton for their own selfish, “Hey, I want to roll in more money!” attitude? We see it all around us. However, the location of this store is paramount. 

Right past it is the harbor off Gardiner’s Bay and all those little apartments that have an intense history of septic problems, plus a busy restaurant. In the other direction from all this is a gas station. So if it isn’t traffic that should cause the planning board to think twice before approving the application for expansion, then they should think about our beautiful harbor and our water quality. 

Surely they are aware that our sole source aquifer is threatened, I mean, really in jeopardy. The single most important issue for Suffolk County is our water, and if you can’t drink the water, you have nothing. It’s all worthless. 

Each week, new revelations about our water quality come to light: chromium 6, algae blooms, the bottoms of our water bodies becoming desserts, and on and on. How did we get into this situation? Because the boards who are appointed to safeguard our resources forget their charge and the axiom of Long Island: What you do on the land affects the water. 

So I ask all who hold the well-being of East Hampton in their hands — the boards, that is — to stop this expansion, if not because of the water quality, then based on the old adage: location, location, location! 

I suggest Mr. Damark, instead of expanding this store and punishing his neighbors, should follow the successful Mary’s Marvelous model and open another Damark’s Deli somewhere else. He — and all of us — will thrive.

Sincerely,

PHYLLIS ITALIANO

Enough Is Enough

Springs

October 24, 2016

Dear Editor:

As a Springs taxpayer, I am appalled that our very own school superintendent is making $200,000 per year after his “give back” of $15,000. Please take note that I say “making” as opposed to “earning,” because of his chronic lack of presence on the campus. The Springs School Board hired this retired individual who already has a pension of $208,000 from his previous district, and on top of that gave him $200,000 with an additional bonus of an $11,000 annuity.

It is difficult to fathom that the school board that hired Mr. Finello canvassed every application and still came up with the need to hire yet another retired individual. The previous superintendent, who was also a retiree, was in a part-time contract and earned nowhere near what Mr. Finello earns.

The issue for Springs residents like myself and my peers on fixed incomes is the amount of time that Mr. Finello is contracted to actually be in the building. It is a topic that my friends and I frequently are enraged over.

We cannot afford nor do we deserve to have this person employed at the taxpayers’ expense. Mr. Finello has been proven to hire his cronies, including his favorite architectural firm (watch for the expansion proposition), and has demonstrated total lack of integrity with the loss of very dedicated and well-respected employees who had enough on record to sue the district for their untimely departures.

Enough is enough is enough! Let us also remember the very questionable vetting process (i.e., backdoor kitchen table politics) that the board used to hire this person. Shame on the Springs School Board. What could you possibly be thinking by engaging in these practices and giving away Springs tax dollars so frivolously? This man is a pariah.

We welcome the newcomers to the board and pray that their participation will help get us out of this hole that the prior board has dug. Beware, Springs taxpayers. Soon you will be on fixed incomes, and will certainly need to become more vigilant about school board practices.

Can we please return the Springs School that we all knew and loved? Stop hiring these UpIsland individuals who have no care or awareness of our community, and oust the board members who have gotten us into this mess.

SEMIRA BREITWIG

More Eco-Friendly

Amagansett

October 18, 2016

Dear David,

I was surprised to see that the zoning board of appeals is considering banning stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, wind surfers, surfboards, and other small watercraft from recreational marinas, or at the very least counting their presence anywhere in a marina toward septic and parking limitations. It makes no sense to me, as I can imagine no better location for watercraft than a marina, and I know how important these types of watercraft are to bringing tourism dollars to our area. 

The Z.B.A. is also considering a ban on instruction in the proper use of any type of watercraft, including boating, at recreational marinas, which is flabbergasting, considering that ensuring that the users of all types of watercraft know how to use them correctly is essential for everyone’s safety. The small watercraft like kayaks and paddleboards are far more eco-friendly than power boats, as they encourage silent exploration of East Hampton’s natural resources. 

If anything, I should think that the leaders of East Hampton would be trying to think of ways to increase the use of fuel-free watercraft, rather than discourage them in favor of noisy, polluting power boats. Would the Z.B.A. really tell owners of power boats who rent slips at our marinas that they can’t keep kayaks or surfboards on their vessels, or that they can’t get a lesson in proper docking?

I should think discouraging or limiting small watercraft from recreational marinas would be very bad for the marina owners and their boaters who enjoy these activities, and such an action would decrease the use of East Hampton’s marinas in favor of, say, Southampton’s. And banning proper boating and small watercraft instruction at our marinas is downright ludicrous.

CINDI CRAIN

Amazing Assumption

Montauk

October 24, 2016

Editor:

Your editorial of Oct. 20, referring to a theoretical and supposed phenomena of the general Montauk resident population’s tendency in forgetting the social frustrations, economic, and quality of life issues once the tourist season ends, is an amazing assumption. The editorial then asserts that Montauk citizenry is somehow confused, searching, and undecided in the manner in which to move forward in dealing with serious issues and how you, The Star, is unsure whether Montauk can and will somehow, in the future, bring forth the wisdom necessary, as did their more wise and experienced Sag Harbor neighbors, and finally concludes with an in-general, overall forecast solution that there is a good chance that voters in Montauk would put in place a mayor and trustees more in line with their views about how a hamlet should be run — a powerful and deeply provocative analysis.

Unfortunately, it is absolutely incorrect, uninformed, and totally misunderstanding in the interpretation of Montauk citizenry civic values and public awareness of serious issues affecting the hamlet.

A 2016 professionally designed Montauk Quality of Life Survey implemented by the nonpartisan citizen action group Montauk United and distributed to over 3,800 Montauk primary and secondary property owners, enjoying an unprecedented and probably historic 58 percent return rate, disputes the veracity and wisdom of The Star’s editorial remarks and suppositions. 

Specifically, in regard to the above issues, survey data indicates nearly one half (47 percent) of all property owner types believe overall quality of life in Montauk improved as compared to 2015. In a following question, only 19 percent of all property owners would vote for incorporation.

In general, the high survey-return rate of 58 percent alone speaks most eloquently of Montauk citizenry’s keen and involved awareness of the issues affecting it today and into the future. It also addresses the importance of cooperation and compromise between the segments of its residential and commercial population.

Most important, it exemplifies the remarkable possession of a positive, healthy trove of specific and general opinions on the direction Montauk should follow into the future — all examples of healthy, knowledgeable, and positive civic awareness and outlook. The survey is rich in data and information dealing with Montauk and its citizens addressing who we are, what we want, and where do we want to go.

The above information, including an entire, overall in-depth summary of all data gleaned from the survey was made available to The Star on Tuesday morning, Oct. 18, at the East Hampton Town Council meeting. The entire survey is available to The Star, as it is to the general public, at Montaukunited.org.

TOM BOGDAN

Ocean Windmills

East Hampton

October 21, 2016

David,

Thank you for sharing Gordian Raacke’s photo of our introduction to the five offshore wind turbines three miles off the Block Island coastline. The turbines will become operational by the end of November, the United States will have its first offshore wind farm, and Block Island’s residential community will be independent of fossil fuel-generated energy. 

This installation is the prototype for the Montauk offshore wind farm project, now in contract negotiations between Deepwater Wind, the developer, and the Long Island Power Authority. The 15 Montauk turbines will be 30 miles over the horizon on a site leased through the U.S. Department of the Interior. When in operation, these 15 turbines will deliver enough energy annually to power 50,000 East End homes. Between solar and wind energy, and in addition to locally initiated programs in energy efficiencies, East Hampton will meet its stated goal of generating 100 percent of the community’s electricity needs with clean, renewable energy.

The 15 turbines in the Montauk offshore wind farm demonstrate how rapidly this industry is growing into its future. But here at home, East Hampton already has its own history of wind power. Yesterday’s windmills are today’s wind turbines. The proposed Montauk offshore wind farm will be making U.S. history in East Hampton’s own backyard, already home to our beautiful historic windmills. 

As contract negotiations continue, LIPA trustees and the governor’s office need to understand we are waiting to resume our tradition by returning wind power to its already 350-year history. 

I was just enchanted by the Block Island ocean “windmills,” their majesty and their magic. It is now time to bring them home.

LINDA JAMES

Vote Yes on Proposal 1

East Hampton

October 24, 2016

Dear David,

I am writing on behalf of the Friends of Georgica Pond Foundation to voice our strong support of Proposal 1 on the ballot on Nov. 8, to extend the authorization of the Community Preservation Fund to 2050, and to authorize the use of 20 percent of the C.P.F. funds for water quality initiatives. The foundation joins over 80 organizations and local businesses in supporting this crucial initiative.

Proposal 1 is on the back of the ballot. We urge all voters to be sure to turn over the ballot and vote yes on Proposal 1. To put in perspective the importance of the vote on Nov. 8, the C.P.F. generated $30 million in 2015. Twenty percent of this would mean $6 million available for water quality projects in East Hampton Town. 

On Georgica Pond, we hope some of these funds can be directed to what we consider to be priorities in the public interest, projects that are already on the East Hampton Town Water Quality Improvement Plan:

• Addressing stormwater highway runoff coming directly into Georgica Pond from the Route 27 rest stop.

• Addressing the stormwater discharge pipe entering the pond at the end of Georgica Cove.

But the most urgent item for the Friends of Georgica Pond Foundation would not involve C.P.F. funds and will consist of educating and working with all Georgica Pond waterfront owners to upgrade their septic systems to the new nitrogen-removing technology that is just now coming on board.

We look forward to our continuing collaboration with the East Hampton Town Trustees, and the Town and Village of East Hampton.

PRISCILLA RATTAZZI WHITTLE

President

Friends of Georgica Pond Foundation

Broke the Law

East Hampton

October 19, 2016

Dear Editor:

I recently had a terrible experience with a home improvement contractor who improperly installed a fence on my property in East Hampton. 

After the fence was buckling and panels parting I made a phone call to the East Hampton Town Clerk and found out that the contractor did not have the required home improvement contractor’s license with the town. Then I called the Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs and found out that the contractor did not have the required home improvement contractor’s license with the county, as well! I have now filed complaints with the town and the county so that they can investigate and take appropriate action against this contractor, who not only did poor work, but also broke the law. 

I urge anyone else who has a work problem with a home improvement contractor to contact the East Hampton Town Clerk and the Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs to determine if the contractor has the required licenses. If the contractor does not have the required licenses then you might want to file complaints with both the town and the county. Even if the contractor is properly licensed, if you believe the contractor did not perform the work properly or honestly, you should report the situation to the town’s licensing review board so that you can bring the situation to light and help protect others from similar circumstances.

HENRY W. MARKS

Second Term for Zeldin

East Hampton

October 24, 2016

Dear Editor, 

Congressman Lee Zeldin supports America’s greatest heroes: the police, firefighters, E.M.S., first responders, and soldiers; he himself is a veteran. Their services provide us with our safety, security, and our freedom. Freedom is important to him, for he is a defender of our constitutional rights.

A second term for Congressman Zeldin will ensure that he will continue his leadership as our representative in Congress.

DEBORAH ANN SCHWARTZ

Two Major Reasons

East Hampton

October 13, 2016

Dear Editor,

There are two major reasons not to vote for the re-election of Mr. Zeldin to Congress.

1. He supports the candidacy of loser par excellence, despicable, misogynistic, misanthropic, pathological liar, and bully Donald Trump, which immediately downgrades his intelligence and judgment.

2. He has the support of our local small group of right-wing nonthinking “deplorables” as he sets an example of support for a shell of a man dead set on destroying our country when he loses to Clinton.

RICHARD P. HIGER

That’s Really Scary

East Hampton

October 24, 2016

Dear Editor:

I have no fear of all the goblins, the witches, or even the evil clowns lurking on Halloween. What really scares me are the latest reports about the meat industry.

Like news of pig farms dumping millions of gallons of pig feces into North Carolina’s water supplies during Hurricane Matthew. Or of saturating their neighborhoods with windborne fecal waste spray. Or of animal farming accounting for more greenhouse gases than transportation.

Like recurring media exposés of horrific atrocities against animals on factory farms. Or of subjecting slaughterhouse workers to crippling workplace injuries at slave wages. Or of exploiting farmers by controlling prices. 

Like repeated reports of studies linking consumption of animal products with elevated risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other killer diseases. Or reports of the meat industry bullying health authorities to remove warnings from dietary guidelines. 

Now, that’s really scary. 

I fought back by dropping animal products from my menu, and my local supermarket has rewarded me with a colorful display of fresh fruits and veggies, as well as a rich selection of plant-based meats, milks, cheeses, and ice creams. I am no longer scared, though I still fear for my friends and neighbors. 

ELIJAH HANNESBURG