Letters to the Editor: Noise 06.02.16

Consider a Broom

Springs

May 28, 2016

To the Editor:

What a shame that the New Jersey suburbs are now quieter than Springs. Leaf blowers have been whining for 10 to 12 hours daily for months, Sundays included. Isn’t it time for a summer respite from the war against organic matter? Can we who once enjoyed the peace and quiet of our neighborhoods ask for a break from June though September? Is it possible to tolerate a leaf or blade of grass on our driveways? Or, if that is too much to ask, possibly we could consider the use of a broom or rake for that errant piece of organic matter. 

All life forms would benefit from a truce during the summer, including we humans! 

CHRISTINE GANITSCH, M.D.

Time to Enforce Fines

Springs

May 29, 2016

Dear Editor:

It is Memorial Day weekend. Beginning one week ago we were, once again, dealing with being unable to sit on our deck, in our yard, or have dinner outside due to rude and inconsiderate neighbors. (“Neighbors” being a word that, standing alone, would invoke a friendly meaning.)

Since when do people require loud music outside at unacceptable levels because it is the summer season? I am not talking about seasonal rentals, weekenders, or high-school kids, but at the same time, it could be all of the above. I am speaking about a so-called adult household.

Let’s get some laws in place to stop this ridiculous infringement on others’ space and start enforcing the laws on the books. Calling Chief Sarlo’s office is our only course of action when we are being harassed by our neighbors’ inconsiderate, immature, and selfish behavior. If we start fining the people at fault, it just might stop. Money talks. 

Now it is time to enforce these fines, and maybe the unacceptable behavior of adult individuals and families will stop.

MAYDA IDONE

Air Travel by Helicopter

East Hampton

May 27, 2016

To the Editor:

Last week’s editorial page lauded the East Hampton Town Board for putting residents first. I echo that sentiment, but am chagrined to report that it, and all area residents hoping for quieter skies, face new challenges this summer.

As a quick perusal of the New York dailies will reveal, new options in air travel by helicopter are being promoted, once again at the expense of the year-round community. The rich and famous simply seem to have no regard for residents who call this place home. Thank heavens we have a town board that values the rights of residents over those of commercial enterprise and their self-centered clientele. 

It’s oxymoronic. Those who choose air travel simply do not connect the dots that their choice of transportation destroys the tranquil quality of life that attracted them to our area in the first place. 

Noise from helicopters, jets, and seaplanes destroys the peaceful enjoyment of home and property on the East End, and causes deleterious health effects, negatively impacts children’s ability to learn, and frightens the daylights out of our wildlife, diminishing already threatened populations of protected species. Helicopter, jets, and seaplanes inflict environmental damage from above on literally all life below. 

Aircraft noise and emissions are aviation industry waste products no one wants. A once-small recreational airport now exacts a terrible price from thousands who lose their right to peaceful enjoyment of home and property, suffer adverse health impacts and property value reduction, so a tiny fraction of the population can enjoy easy access by air. 

East End municipalities tax themselves to fund purchase of open space, important scenic vistas, and farmland, to preserve our unique community identity and sense of place. Our quiet agrarian and maritime character, built from independent, resilient endeavor, is a heritage we cherish, pay dearly to preserve, and have a right to control. 

Traveling to the East End via helicopter, jet, or seaplane is, in fact, terrifying birds and animals, coating the area with hazardous fuel emissions, and depriving every individual beneath those flight paths of their right to the peaceful enjoyment of their homes and properties. 

The resolve of the East Hampton Town Board to continue to protect our right to the peaceful enjoyment of home and property will surely be tested, as the board will need to continue to tighten the reins on noisy aircraft traveling to and from East Hampton Airport. 

We look forward to further progress in this arena, and keep our fingers crossed that the Second Circuit Court of Appeals will see things our way and uphold the once-a-week rule on June 20.

KATHLEEN CUNNINGHAM

Quiet Skies Coalition Chair