Ray Hartjen
East Hampton
February 17, 2025
Dear David,
On behalf of the membership and board of directors of the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society, we want to acknowledge the passing of Ray Hartjen.
Ray’s was a life well lived, and his commitment to community is evident by all he’s left behind. While his most enduring legacy may well be the East End Classic Boat Society, Ray was the driving force behind getting Suffolk County to bring water to his beloved Gerard Drive.
With the trails preservation society, Ray’s fingerprints were all over the reconstruction of the Pussy’s Pond bridge in Springs. His involvement was instrumental in obtaining funding to place map kiosks at several trail locations, and the design and construction of the Tanbark Creek Bridge at Three Mile Harbor.
The East Hampton Trails Preservation Society is forever grateful for all that Ray did for us and the entire East Hampton community.
Sincerely,
IRWIN T. LEVY
President
East Hampton Trails Preservation Society
Protect Trees
East Hamptons
February 16, 2025
To the Editor,
Trees. Who doesn’t like trees? They add natural beauty to their surroundings, provide natural habitats for local wildlife, and help lower carbon dioxide — and so the temperature — on our warming planet.
The Village of East Hampton, however, allows residents to clear-cut their property. That’s exactly what my new neighbor did: Shortly after he closed, he felled nearly 30 trees, some 100 years old, leaving a dark and empty scar where a developer will likely soon have his way.
I am the Pantigo Road resident described in last week’s Star article who co-signed a letter asking the East Hampton Village Board to enact legislation that prohibits clear-cutting on village properties. We aren’t asking the board to outlaw tree removal but to impose modest restrictions that balance public and private interests.
Communities around the country have passed laws that protect trees from clear-cutting. Sag Harbor and North Haven recently enacted laws like this. You can’t chop down all the trees on land in the Town of East Hampton without permission. So why is the village out of step with neighboring and other communities?
Because village land was originally used for agriculture, 17th-century farmers needed open pastures on which to grow crops. My neighbor seems unlikely to grow corn or potatoes on his property, neither are any other villagers. That’s why the board should take steps — now — to protect our natural resources from irremediable destruction.
Interestingly, after chopping down all the trees there, my neighbor put his property back on the market for $1.5 million more than he’d paid six months earlier.
Does anyone think a property without trees is a million and a half dollars more than land with trees? Realtors are skeptical. “Land does not appreciate that way,” says Jordan Daniel at Douglas Elliman. “People are not that stupid. And the idea that someone thinks that removing natural resources to make money is just egregious.”
Hopefully the board will step up, and pass a law that stops people, like my neighbor, from destroying irreplaceable resources in the hope of making money.
SUSAN LEHMAN
Down It Came!
Wainscott
February 17, 2025
Dear David,
In the 37 years I have lived here, the stately trees, that lined the streets were a marvel to behold, from the Dutch elms to specimen trees, that were nature’s gift to the town. If they could have talked, imagine the stories they could have shared. A “jurisdictional gap” took place and down it came!
Of course the eagle-eyed Department of Transportation wizard has never noticed the huge six- and eight-inch depth of the teeth-jarring potholes that litter the state roads. Let us not wonder how dangerous the zigzagging to avoid blown tires is.
Yes, a new tree will be planted but four inches thick. No one alive today will ever see what was.
ARTHUR FENCH
Power in Numbers
Montauk
February 10, 2025
Dear David,
It’s great that the East Hampton Town Board has set a public hearing for March 6 at 6 p.m. to hear the community’s thoughts on the amendments to the zoning code before finalizing them and scheduling its vote.
In January, the town board took another important step toward amending zoning regulations, in response to community concerns about increasing overdevelopment, by reviewing proposed changes to the zoning code's gross floor area formula. This formula determines the allowable building area relative to lot size. Concerned Citizens of Montauk strongly supports this amendment.
The hearing on the 6th is the opportunity for caring and responsible members of our community to encourage the adoption of these amendments. We urge townspeople to tell the board what you think about the floor area formula’s environmental implications.
For over 50 years, C.C.O.M. has championed the protection of our environment. Without a healthy environment we have no economy, no quality of life, and no sense of place that makes the East End so special. So please join us on March 6 to speak up at the hearing by appearing in person, calling in, or submitting written comments in advance to ensure that decision makers prioritize environmental protection in the zoning code.
We have power in numbers. We urge you, concerned citizens, to lend your voice to this issue by emailing town officials today: Town Clerk Carole Brennan, Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, Deputy Supervisor Cate Rogers, and councilmen David Lys, Ian Calder-Piedmonte, and Tom Flight — or contact C.C.O.M.’s office for background and assistance.
Yours truly,
KAY TYLER
Concerned Citizens of Montauk
Storm to Come
Amagansett
February 15, 2025
To the Editor:
In my letter last week, I gave an example of the town Democrats’ lack of courage on the immigration issue. I was unaware until a day or so later of a town board meeting at which the politicians’ and Police Chief Mike Sarlo’s presentations were interpreted by some spectators being, at least, energetic.
Here is what I detect, applying my patented English-to-English translator to that meeting as reported: “We are not crazy nor ideological. We have no intent to target the undocumented, any more than we ever have. But we will not take personal risks or stand up to federal power.” Chief Sarlo’s interestingly unpackable statement, about law enforcement with guns not standing up to law enforcement with guns, almost doesn’t require translation.
But let’s talk about the storm to come. Our hijacked federal government will not only be sending Immigration and Customs Enforcement here. It will bully and threaten, cut off federal funding for perceived opposition to its goals, send in the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department. And it will also bribe. New York City is a case study.
Yes, Mayor Eric Adams is more visibly corrupt than the town Democrats are (yet). The president bought him with a dismissal of federal charges. Mayor Adams has agreed to allow ICE into Rikers, and has directed that no one in his (Democratic) administration criticize the president. Mayor Adams is even rumored to be considering changing parties. The feds then thanked him by cutting off $80 million in funding for homeless housing. Bending the knee to Donald Trump doesn’t actually grant any protection.
Bringing this home to East Hampton: Do you detect evidence of a backbone here? The only thing for which Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez has ever fought fiercely is the inexplicable new senior center. Chief Sarlo’s biggest show of energy has been defending bullets hitting houses at the Maidstone Gun Club (not to mention Voldemort in the background). And if you’re inclined to say that at least our Democrats will never make a deal with the devil, exactly what was the “repurposing” of David Lys as a Democrat? Who is Mr. Lys rooting for in the current mess? Has he said?
We need better Democrats.
For democracy in East Hampton,
JONATHAN WALLACE
Thoughtful Analysis
East Hampton
February 14, 2025
To the Editor,
Thanks to the letter writers, “On Behalf of Concerned Neighbors of Long Island,” for their thoughtful analysis of the ramifications of violating the sanctuary status of our churches and schools. Too bad our representatives in Washington either don’t understand or, more likely, don’t care.
VIRGINIA GIBBS
Defies Constitution
East Hampton
February 12, 2025
To the Editor:
The murder of Laken Riley was a heartbreaking tragedy that has left an indelible mark on her family, friends, and community. Her life was brutally cut short in an act of violence that no one should have to endure. However, while we must honor her memory and support her loved ones, it is indefensible to use her death as a political tool to vilify undocumented immigrants or justify the draconian measures contained in the recently enacted Laken Riley Act.
The Laken Riley Act, introduced, promoted, and enacted in response to this tragedy, is a sad and punitive blot on our nation’s best practices. The act mandates the detention of immigrants accused of even minor offenses and totally without fundamental due process protections accorded every person detained in America. The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments guarantee that no person — regardless of citizenship status — can be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. The Laken Riley Act defies our Constitution and, by conflating immigration status with criminal behavior, serves only to stoke fear and division within our communities.
That the man convicted of this heinous crime was an undocumented immigrant has been seized upon by President Donald Trump and his acolytes to perpetuate the falsehood that undocumented immigrants bring a disproportionate amount of crime to our country, thus meriting their detention and deportation. That is pure myth and a purposeful manipulation of the truth. In fact, decades of research consistently show that undocumented immigrants commit crimes at significantly lower rates than United States-born citizens, that they are 41 percent less likely to be convicted of crimes over all, and 26 percent less likely to be convicted of homicide compared to native-born Americans. Linking immigration status to criminality is a fiction, not a fact.
Exploiting Laken Riley’s tragic death for political gain dishonors her memory. The right of every person in America to due process of the law is one of this nation’s greatest gifts to society. We must be persistent in defending our Constitution and be constant in resisting efforts to erode due process rights.
Laken Riley’s life was precious, but her death should not be used as a pretext for enacting legislation rooted in fear rather than facts. Let us remember her by advocating for justice — not through unjust laws.
On behalf of Concerned Neighbors of Long Island,
JOAN CASPI
FRED DOSS
TIM FRAZIER
JOAN OVERLOCK
JUDITH SCHNEIDER
TESS WACHS
NORBERT WEISSBERG
Creating Chaos
East Hampton
February 17, 2025
To the Editor,
Yes, we know he is “flooding the zone” — but to what end? Why go after our allies with tariffs, make feints toward taking over countries? Why foment unrest in Germany? Why lay off thousands of Internal Revenue Service workers in tax season? Why send young programmers into the Treasury system?
It is all one: Donald Trump is creating chaos that he will promise to resolve once given the powers of king. He is auditioning now with the acquiescence of his vassal senators.
Please notice that all his moves are not done the old-fashioned way with passing laws. Like truth, laws are pass[e].
What do you think?
TOM MACKEY
Take Up the Slack
East Hampton
February 17, 2025
Dear David,
There is no permanent shelter for the homeless in the Hamptons. Maureen’s Haven Homeless Outreach has become the major resource for compassionate care — it’s “home” to our area homeless community and attempts to provide a safe, warm temporary shelter to homeless individuals during the coldest months. It needs other host sites to welcome them and help out.
Thanks to a generous offer from the Bridgehampton Child Care Center, for example, homeless guests will be housed two nights a week, Wednesdays and Sundays. The Jewish Center of the Hamptons has pledged to help out by hosting a meal for them March 9 at the center.
The situation of the homeless in the Hamptons reminded me of an old Rodney Dangerfield joke.
As “I don’t get any respect” Rodney put it: “A travel agent told me I could spend six nights in Puerto Rico. No days, just nights. I said to him, ‘What will I do with myself days?’ He said, ‘Do whatever you want, just keep out of Puerto Rico.’ “ five nights for the homeless? Keep out? Keep out of where? Makeshift shelters? Tent encampments in the woods? The beaches? Local train stations? Camping along the railroad tracks or in abandoned or vacant buildings? Our churches? Our synagogues?
Maureen’s Haven was founded in 2002 by a Dominican sister who tried to set up a similar program then but couldn’t find congregations willing to participate.
Churches, synagogues, and other nonprofit organizations, simply didn’t have the resources, the will, or ability to take up the slack to meet the needs of tens of millions of Americans. They never had the resources necessary and still don’t. Many federal governmental programs and policies were established during the New Deal and Great Society eras for exactly that reason.
Donald Trump and Elon Musk, in their war on most of us, the poor, working, and middle classes, have vowed to destroy these same federal policies, programs, rights, and regulations that have protected many of us over the decades — however unevenly — and that enabled so many of us to prosper and lead better, healthier, more humane lives.
For Musk-Trump and his fellow oligarchs, government and laws are simply an impediment to their interests and what they, as modern day “divine right” kings, feel they’re entitled to. Their perceived divine right has resulted in Mr. Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg having a combined wealth of $903 billion, more than the bottom half of American society. Even more incredibly, since Mr. Trump’s election, Elon Musk has become $138 billion richer, Mr. Zuckerberg is $49 billion richer, and Mr. Bezos is richer by $28 billion — the three have become richer by $215 billion in just over three weeks!
Having survived two assassination attempts, President Trump now has developed a full-blown God/Napoleon complex and a belief that he has divine backing to enforce his will to go along with his already long list of emotional, personality, character, and mental health issues. He wants us to believe that no laws are broken if he’s “saving his country.” It’s a variation of a quote attributed to Napoleon.
At the same time, 800,000 are homeless and the figures are rising (including in the Hamptons). We have the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major country on earth. Spousal and sexual abuse rates continue to escalate to record numbers. We see and read about it vividly in The Star’s report on the struggles of the Retreat to financially sustain itself in the face of the Musk-Trump cuts.
Our churches and synagogues have tax-exempt status and usually pay no property taxes either. Many of these houses of worship have members who are among the richest individuals and families in the country. Reference scripture and you’ll find out where the homeless should go.
In the Hebrew Scriptures: Isaiah 58:7-11: Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear.
Rabbis rightly point to Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel’s courageous support of Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights movement, and his march alongside him at Selma. Rabbi Heschel was marching and “praying with his feet” for a cause that was a universal one for human rights.
Rabbis often don’t point out that his action was also an act of civil disobedience — an action that easily could have cost him his life or put him in jail. Rabbi Heschel was himself at risk as a recent refugee from Nazi Germany. He marched at Selma because he felt the pain and vulnerability of a people, most of whom were not Jews.
Do the same rabbis who praise Rabbi Heschel realize that he would be demonstrating and calling for a cease-fire in Gaza today — feeling the suffering and pain of both peoples?
In the New Testament: Matthew 25:35-40: For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.
Or read Pope Francis’s recent condemnation of the cruel, anti-immigrant, mass deportation rhetoric and actions of Trump. For the Pope, the experience of migration and homelessness is a deeply sacred one shared by Jesus Christ.
“The Family of Nazareth in exile, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, immigrants in Egypt and refugees there to escape the wrath of an ungodly king,” he writes, framing the church’s view on migration and homelessness as one of profound empathy.
Who among our town’s religious leadership will stand in the breach, bear witness, and actively resist to the point of even civil disobedience — standing up for the Christian and Jewish moral values they presumably believe in and live by?
Imagine what Jesus would say and do, and you have your answer as to what should be done. Would Jesus support a police crackdown on sanctuary cities and towns by police and immigration officials? Or would he support the Christian and Jewish groups suing the Department of Homeland Security over its policy of conducting immigration enforcement actions at places of worship and other sensitive locations like schools and hospitals?
President Trump rescinded that policy in order to free immigration agents from enforcement constraints — “handcuffing” is the term Village Police Chief Jeffrey Erickson used. Would he support groups and politicians that were educating people of their rights when facing immigration officials? Calling Mayor Larsen.
There are a number of nationwide protests set up to carry on the struggle. Friday, Feb. 28, is an economic blackout protest — hit them in their profits — no spending for 24 hours. March 7-14, oligarch protest of Amazon — no buying from Amazon for one week. Friday, March 14, national strike is a call for all workers, all businesses, all higher education organizations to not work for 24 hours.
Will our East Hampton Village Chamber of Commerce leadership support and endorse these actions and protests? If not, why not?
It’s not wait and see or wait until the dust settles time. It’s happened and is happening. Will the leadership of our local churches and synagogues go beyond volunteering a meal and work together to house homeless individuals or families for the five nights they wouldn’t have shelter?
If each took in five homeless individuals or families for those five nights, it would be of great help to the already overburdened resources of Maureen’s Haven. It’s the right thing to do — Rodney would approve. It’s the respect our fellow East Hampton community members need and deserve.
Stay strong,
JIM VRETTOS