Letters to the Editor: Sammy's Beach 12.03.15

Security and Maintenance

East Hampton

November 23, 2015

To the Editor:

As a resident of the Settlers Landing Association, I have great concern about the lack of security provided by East Hampton police to oversee the proper use of our town beach, Sammy’s Beach.

A lovely bench donated by a resident of our community was broken up and used for firewood at one of the many midnight parties on the beach that include drinking and loud drunken behavior. This type of gathering should be banned.

Most likely the perpetrators were not even homeowners but visitors or day- trippers to our town.

We need to ensure that police provide adequate surveillance and oversight of the area. We pay taxes to maintain these town beaches. That should include security and proper maintenance of the beach area.

Thank you,

MARILYN RUDA

 

Thoughtless Destruction

East Hampton

November 29, 2015

To the Editor:

About a year or so ago, a beautiful new teak bench appeared where the sand on Sammy’s Beach lies adjacent to the parking lot, on Sammy’s Beach Road. The bench had a family inscription and dedication, inviting everyone to enjoy the views and surrounding sights of Sammy’s Beach and Gardiner’s Bay, just as the sponsoring family had done for many years. And, we did. It was a great place to sit after a long walk on the Beach or a run with your dog. 

That all came to an end when, on Friday evening, Nov. 20, people with a pickup truck and armed with beer used the truck to uproot the bench, along with its cement plugs and heavy chain. They dragged everything down onto the sand and burned the bench; apparently while drinking beer — many cans and bottles remained scattered around the ashes — and partying in celebration of their clever “prank.”

On Saturday morning, Sammy’s Beach regulars were shocked and dismayed when they came upon the ugly scene. The wanton destruction of public property, offered, I am sure lovingly, for the public to sit quietly and contemplate the beauty we are so lucky to have around us on Sammy’s Beach, falls into a category far more serious than “prank.”

Unlike my emotional reaction when I saw the meaningless destruction on the beach, my husband, a lifelong resident and retired East Hampton Town police officer, reacted with restrained calmness. He said that in his opinion, and based upon years of experience: Friday night, a pickup truck, and beer — it’s kids from the high school.

We have no idea who did this, but it cannot be blamed on the “summer crowd.” No, the people responsible live among us, interacting as friends or neighbors, while secretly harboring a total disregard for the property of others. They may even think what they did is a harmless joke! Wrong! I’m sure there are people out there who know who did this uncaring, unthinking, selfish — no, actually stupid — act. Anyone who would do something like this craves recognition, and to get that you must tell others what you did.

I believe redemption for this total lapse in judgment can only be found by coming forward, confessing, apologizing, and paying to replace the bench. People who perpetrate such thoughtless destruction need to face the selfishness of their actions if they have any hope of becoming good neighbors and good citizens in their community.

What a waste!

BEVERLY BOND

Used as Firewood

East Hampton

November 25, 2015

To the Editor:

 At this time of Thanksgiving we who share the bounty of beautiful beaches and preserve areas are grateful for so much that Mother Nature has bestowed upon us. However, at the same time we are angered by the destruction of beauty and wonder, by people who trash the landscape with beer bottles, cigarette butts, and spent charcoal from fire pits that litter the sand.

The weekend of Nov. 21, Sammy’s Beach was violated again. It has become a site for late-night activity that is destructive to the landscape and a potential hazard for beachgoers. Fire pits in sand are often left; the black remnants along with trash and litter leave the beach marred. There is also the potential for burns, as the coals stay hot under sand for many hours. 

This weekend a particularly heinous event occurred. The beautiful bench at the entrance was sawed apart and used as firewood in a pit. The very expensive, sturdy bench was donated by a long-time family as a remembrance. It was permitted and installed by the town, paid for by the family. It was such a lovely place to sit and contemplate the bay and now it is gone. We are heartbroken for this peaceful spot.

We have formed a group, Concerned Neighbors of Sammy’s Beach. We will be contacting the authorities to make them aware of our concerns as well as the need for patrols of this fragile area. Neighbors will be on alert for late-night partying on the beach and will be alerting the authorities. 

For all you revelers, or parents of said revelers, who are reading this, be aware you are not alone on the beach. Someone is listening, and someone is watching. 

JACKIE FRIEDMAN