Letters to the Editor: 12.17.15

Little Children

Patchogue

December 6, 2015

To the Editor, 

Round the Christmas table bounty, little children look so sorry

’Cause they just do not want to eat, little Bob and his friend Larry.

Happy Holidays,

FRED GASREL

Route 114 Is Awful

East Hampton

December 4, 2015

To the Editor:

Route 114 between Main Street and Stephen Hand’s is awful. I hope that the state is as aware of it as much as the locals are.

James Lane is getting awful after it was dug up in mid-2015.

The railroad crossings need attention. I hope that the Long Island Rail Road is aware of this.

I’m sure other readers have their favorites as well.

TOM FRIEDMAN

One Day of Peace

Amagansett

December 14, 2015

To the Editor:

I moved to East Hampton 25 years ago and have owned a home in Barnes Landing for 20 of those years. I moved here for the same reasons that many do, the sea and the tranquillity.

The sea is still here but little of the tranquillity remains, the sounds of nature being supplanted by the virtually omnipresent sound of leafblowers. I haven’t experienced a single noiseless day since mid-October. 

I don’t remember it always being like this, and I can only speculate as to reasons why. Absentee landlords who are fooled by greedy landscapers into believing that their lawns need to be cleared every week? The cheap price and availability of blowers? Or fools who do it for amusement, of which I suspect there are quite a few.

I don’t expect to convince anyone of the needlessness of this. Many have argued that the leaves serve as mulch and will actually keep your lawn healthier, but that’s beside the point.

I like Sundays. Call me old-fashioned. On Sunday morning, I was awakened at 9 a.m. by the sound of multiple blowers from a house a good block and a half from me. It lasted four hours.

But it’s obviously not just Sundays. It’s all bloody week long, at every hour of the day. I live on two acres in the middle of the woods, but regardless of the pristine vista outside my window I feel like I live adjacent to a factory, and I know I’m not the only person who feels this way.

Ideally, the town should make it illegal to use anything but electric blowers. The noise from the gas units interferes not only with my rest but with my work, and it’s completely unfair that I or anyone else should have to sacrifice our standard of living when there is an available alternative to gas blowers.

But knowing I’m tilting at windmills with this notion, I’ll settle for one day of peace.

I realize that these obnoxious machines will not be completely banned, but since we clearly can’t rely on some of our citizens to act respectfully and responsibly, we must at least impose a ban on using them on Sundays, giving us one day where we can be assured of quiet. 

Is that really too much to ask?

I love my town. I love the people and my home, and I am very fortunate to have good neighbors. But with the sad ruination of Montauk, the irresponsible treatment of our beaches, small businesses being pushed out, the lack of affordable housing (affecting the diversity of this wonderful place), and the ill effects of Airbnb, the reasons for staying here are becoming harder to find.

Unfortunately, these problems are socioeconomic in nature and are not just local. They’re global, and there’s not a whole lot we can do about them. But curtailing the use of leaf blowers, if only for one day, is something we certainly have the power to do. This is a quality-of-life issue that we should really begin to address before it gets further out of hand. And we should further consider that the restriction on the use of gas blowers that has been instituted in many other places has not caused their communities to fall apart.

We should do this in East Hampton Town — but one thing at a time. For now, please give us our Sundays back!

Sincerely,

JOHN ROBIE

A Large Wind Farm

Springs

December 13, 2015

Dear Editor:

It appears there’s going to be an attempt to build a large wind farm to produce electricity specifically for the South Fork. According to local media and propaganda from the wind farm builder, governments, citizen activists, and various vested interests, this is the wave of the future. It will give us green energy, won’t be a hazard to any human or the environment, will provide us in East Hampton an endless supply of energy with no CO2 emissions. It will help reach the goal of energy independence while reaching goals set by our leaders. And so many more good things, including the fact we’ll never know it’s there because it’s over the horizon in the vast Atlantic and only needs a small part of an industrial area in town to support it. All this at a small fee and no cost.

Let me assure you I’m a believer in climate change, and I know humans are the cause. I’m a commercial fisherman and live with the consequences every day. I believe we must act to eliminate greenhouse gases. I fear for my grandchildren’s future. We need to make things better. But I can’t help thinking I’ve heard this before in one form or another.

Weren’t groins on the ocean beaches going to solve erosion? How about PSEG being better then LIPA and serving us in a cheap, community-friendly way? We’ll never be bitten by a mosquito again if Suffolk County sprays methoprene on our wetlands. Montauk will be safe forever if the Army Corps has its way. We’ll be in the forefront of environmental science if we just have a scavenger waste treatment plant and composting facility at the dump. Our airport will be the envy of everyone if we just take F.A.A. money. Hurray! The fee is small. All we have to do is let it happen and the cost will always be paid later by someone else.

It said in The Star that a large percentage of our electrical need is for air-conditioning in all the McMansions we’ve built. The fee to provide cool air for them is small — but the cost is high to those people who need that patch of ocean, the animals who live there, and the environment it’s exploiting. 

 I suggest less unbridled, unthinking enthusiasm and a lot more sober thought before we pay the fee. 

BRAD LOEWEN

Remove the Antenna

Springs

December 14, 2015

Dear David:

At its Dec. 1 session several weeks ago, the zoning board of appeals ruled the Springs Fire Department was not exempt from zoning and revoked the building permits for the 150-foot communications tower erected last April in their parking lot. Defying the ruling, the Fire Department has subsequently installed an antenna on the tower. Its actions are illegal, since no one may erect or build any structure without a building permit.

It is imperative that the town government issue a stop-work order and compel the Fire Department to remove the antenna. The law must be enforced uniformly and without exception, else the town will undermine the public trust that enables it to govern. The need for impartiality is particularly acute since the head of the Building Department (which mistakenly issued the permits) is Ann Glennon, who is the wife of the chief Springs Fire District commissioner, Patrick Glennon. 

Nine years ago in 2006, to their credit the Springs Fire Department invited public comment when they considered erecting a tower. The public protest was such the commissioners voted unanimously not to proceed. The current commissioners have taken the opposite approach; they applied for the building permit without notifying the public, and they knowingly failed to file a SEQRA application, which would have made public and intergovernmental review and participation mandatory before erecting the tower.

Ever since the public discovered the department’s intention to operate a tower from their property when it appeared overnight last April, the commissioners have defended their actions under the guise of a false choice: either allow them to construct the tower or take responsibility for lives being lost by preventing improvements to emergency communications. But the flaw in their argument is the presumption that their property is the only location for the tower, or that the only technology to improve communications would require a 150-foot tower in the first place. 

The Fire Department’s insistence that its way is the only way is in direct contravention to town code, which requires not only that all applicants propose two alternatives to the tower they propose, but also that the town planning board must propose a third alternative.

The volunteer firefighters of Springs are heroes who risk their lives to save ours. We will go to great lengths to support them, but they must work with the community and our town government to find a win-win solution. 

Yours truly,

JONATHAN D. COVEN

Very Wrong

Amagansett

December 11, 2015

Dear David, 

Perhaps you were in receipt of a snarly letter from the Amagansett School Board, whose panties appear to be in a bundle at the thought of adding children from new rental housing to their classrooms?

The mission statement of the Amagansett School Board does not mention that they can use taxpayer dollars to worry taxpayers about the cost of adding a few kids to the school. The mission statement of the Amagansett School District does not mention the taxpayer expense of paying someone $288,000 to “supervise” 120 kids. Plus, she gets housing!

The mission of all public schools in the United States of America is to educate the child that shows up with an address. Right?

In my view, some of our school boards need a reboot and the awareness that something is very wrong when Wainscott educates 20, Amagansett 120, and Springs hosts 800.

All good things,

DIANA WALKER

Back to Life

Manhattan

December 14, 2015

Dear Mr. Rattray:

As you know, Mary and I have achieved a new level of stature in our community, following the completed renovation of our modest house on Main Street in Amagansett. The East Hampton Historical Society graciously offered to place our residence on its holiday house tour and we happily accepted. (Perhaps you saw us featured in the Residence section of The East Hampton Press a few weeks ago? You missed your chance. Ha!) 

Mary decorated every room with festive flair and even made five dozen cookies for our visitors. I kept a warming fire burning in the living room. Over 400 people passed through the rooms, gasping in wonder (or coughing due to the inclement weather that day. I’m not sure). The wonderful docents kept order and peace throughout, led by the beautiful Joan Tulp, who held court at the front door.

Now, even as I rake leaves in the front yard or simply rotate the little stones in our gravel drive, people stop by and offer a friendly “hello,” along with their compliments. I’m often asked for an autograph or to pose for a selfie with their stupid baby or dog, and I do it, withoutsking for compensation! That’s the spirit of the holidays, Mr. Rattray, and I certainly hope you’re feeling it too.

On a more serious note, we are deeply fortunate to live in this house, to have been able to bring it back to life. It has even more significance for Mary, as her own father grew up just five doors away on Meeting House Lane.

As proud as I am of what we’ve done, we wouldn’t be sitting by that fire or feasting at that table without the skills and labor of our extraordinary neighbors, whom I would like to acknowledge here.

Let’s start with Bill Leland and his sons, who removed the shroud of overgrown trees that threatened to devour the house and rob it of precious daylight. Thank you, Bill. And thank you, Jaime Sanchez, for replacing that old, rotted roof with beautiful new cedar shakes. We celebrate your spirit and fairness every time the storm clouds burst and the water runs away.

And thanks to Dan Shields and the Mike DiSunno excavating team for pulling the stumps, filling the ditches, and installing the systems where the wasteful parts of my human life may pass till death do me part. God bless!

To Leander Arnold, perhaps our community’s finest mason and stone-working artisan, thank you as always for a stronger foundation and a proper hearth. To Andy, Jeff, and Dave from Andy’s Electric, we would be in the dark without you, so thanks for lighting up our life.

To Dave and Doug Gamble and the Phil Gamble crew, our appreciation flows through the entire house. To Tom Hantz, the care, attention, and brilliant sensibility you brought to reclaiming and replanting the property shows beautifully on every square foot of the half-acre. Cheers to you and to new growth.

To Luis Castillo and your men, Saul and Javier, you rebuilt that house from the inside out, demonstrating skills we never knew you possessed. Our dear friend and builder, Dan, who lost his battle with cancer in July, was unable to continue helping with the work, but you took on every possible role, from replacing windows to refinishing the floors, from tiling the bathrooms to painting, inside and out. We treasure your honesty and work ethic, Luis, and we wish you a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

My fear now, Mr. Rattray, is that I’ve left someone out of this thank-you list, but it’s time to move on, and, as I often do, call into question your judgment. (You’re welcome!) In your most recent editorial you have, in effect, defended the East Hampton Town Board’s right to not be “swayed by outspoken crowds” and ignore (my word) the voices raised against the Army Corps’s project in Montauk or the rental registry.

Of course they were elected to make tough decisions; the citizens know that. The citizens also have a clear recollection of a previous town board that consistently ignored the will of many — at their own peril.

This board, whom I regard as friends, has not listened well nor responded clearly on either of these matters. Of course these are tough decisions, but let’s remember, Montauk isn’t in another state. It’s in our town. If you want to govern in our town, you should listen to the people of our town.

While I am happy for their success in the recent election, I couldn’t join the Democrats’ victory celebration at Nick and Toni’s on Monday. Instead, I send my good wishes and hopes for a better year ahead, and, yes, holiday cheer to Larry, Kathee, Sylvia, Peter, and Fred. You too, Mr. Rattray!

The end,

LYLE GREENFIELD

 

Global Warming 

Springs

December 13, 2015

To the Editor:

So, what say you, you the Obama-bashers. Finally, a successful, multinational global warming conference, with possible far-reaching positive results. Just in time for the warmest-hottest winter months ever.

Come on, guys. Give the man credit. 

EDWARD A. WAGSCHAL

Time for Change

Sag Harbor

December 8, 2015

To the Editor,

Because I’ve lived through the experience, also known as history, this will be brief but to the point. Details would take up too much space and may confuse the reader. Many misinformed or left out.

Recently Hillary Clinton offered a 20-minute talk to Wall Street and received $200,000, more or less, as a thank-you note for being a pawn. Then she followed with a major talk to the Council of Foreign Relations, a group that reaches beyond the essence of corporate power, which we’ll never be aware of. The closest might be globalization from the top down or super PACs, a level of entry of the flow of money.

Senator Barbara Boxer came with 17 senators, all Democrats, to give Hillary support. Senator Elizabeth Warren spoke out loudly and said don’t count me in that group, no no. Both Warren and Senator Bernie Sanders strongly disagree. Their message is exactly the opposite; their mission is to bust up these large corporations. Notice the major media, also run by corporate powers, will try to keep these two prophetic voices out. 

Senator Warren ran for office on the theme that the system is rigged against us. A corrupt government for too long can only be changed from the outside. I believe the time is ripe for change — the right people are in place.

My perception. What is yours?

LARRY DARCEY

Everything Reeks

East Hampton

December 14, 2015

To the Editor,

If Greece was the cradle of civilization, modern-day U.S. is the cradle of bullshit. Everything reeks and nobody smells a thing. There are no issues where the smell of excrement doesn’t permeate the basic dialogue. Democracy, war, terrorism, economics, education, and abortion are all subjugated to the same simplistic disconnection from reality that renders our system gross and repugnant. But while we learn to live with the smell, it is this level of obfuscation that makes solving problems almost impossible.

When Congress refused to consider a measure to put potential terrorists on the no-buy arms list it sent a message to the American people that there are things that are more important than their lives and terrorism. The logic was startling, terrifying, and depressing.

Planned Parenthood is 99 percent about basic services for women and families. No business or agency comes remotely close to this level of service. In performing abortions it obeys the law of the land. That selling body parts, both legal and normal, is used as a reason to defund this institution is pointless. It solves no problem and offers nothing in exchange. Just bullshit.

Democracy, despite the Constitution, is first about the process of voting. The problem with our democracy is voter turnout. Below 30 percent in off-years and rarely above 60 percent in presidential elections. But the problem that is identified is not voter nonparticipation but electoral fraud. Which doesn’t exist on the voting level.

Manipulating the voting process weakens and eventually destroys democracy. So, while instead of encouraging that people vote, we undo the Voting Rights Act, we pass laws to make registration more difficult, we ask the Supreme Court to suppress the principle of one person one vote in favor of a system that gerrymanders electoral districts, we pass Citizens United, which fabricates personhood and elevates the influence of money obscenely. None of which resolves the essential problem and all of which helps to destroy our democracy. All of which is again total bullshit.

Terrorism is now the nation’s greatest fear, yet we experience 50 times more domestic terror and compared to most of the world we experience no terror. The dialogue on terror is always fake. Anti-Muslim or anti-immigrant rhetoric is political posturing, and there are never any ideas about dealing with the problem from our political leaders. When faced with ISIS or the war in Syria we are overwhelmed by the complexity of a situation that we never anticipated. Bombing is almost always our solution, because we’ve never been bombed and don’t understand that it is good for creating future terrorists. So, while the Republicans are certifiable, the Democrats are more sanguine but useless. 

Immigrants become the answer. Limiting, restricting, watching day and night. Demanding that they re-pledge their allegiance to America. Yet immigrants have nothing to do with the terror problem. The negative history in the Middle East, which we have a role in, is the breeding ground for the problem. It seems beyond our capacity to understand and act, so we fake it or lay out a long line of bullshit.

The economic distemper that has ruined our system is beyond resolution. The beneficiaries control the government and will never allow us back to a time when the middle class aspired and thrived. We have been sold out and told to screw off. Our infrastructure, school system, military are leaning toward third world. Our soldiers are treated like pariahs because they are wounded or damaged psychologically from our mindless wars. Every disaster that hits the country elicits prayers. So we come to realize that all our leaders know how to do is pray. And prayer without a token doesn’t get you on the bus.

Whatever America was in the 19th and 20th centuries, its gift to the 21st is bullshit. Trump is right; we should close our borders. Not to keep the terrorists out but to keep the bullshit in.

NEIL HAUSIG

Politics as Usual

East Hampton

December 15, 2015

Dear Editor,

 Politicians who want to repeal or change Obamacare face one problem: It’s accomplishing what it’s supposed to. “The Affordable Care Act is basically working,” says Doug Elmendorf, former director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. “The act is doing what it set out to do, which is greatly reduce the number of people without health insurance.”

With the A.C.A. thoroughly implemented, politicians who insist on repealing it aren’t being realistic. But it’s possible, and perhaps even likely, that the law will be changed to address ongoing problems. Deductibles and other out-of-pocket health care costs have been skyrocketing, for one thing, which undermines the value of having insurance in the first place. And there’s growing momentum to kill the “Cadillac tax” due to be imposed on the costliest health care plans in 2018. The A.C.A. might be working, but that doesn’t mean it’s working well.

Want to make changes? Be my guest, and the guest of those who support the bill. Repeal it? Forget it.

Bottom line is that these bellicose, repetitive calls for repeal are just politics as usual and not meant to help anyone but themselves.

RICHARD P. HIGER