Agree to Disagree
Springs
April 27, 2025
To the Editor,
Well, I had every intention of attending Helen Rattray’s service at Ashawagh this past Sunday, even though I was beset by allergies or a cold or something that wouldn’t leave me alone. I donned my very best Irish tweed sport coat, a pair of reasonably neat slacks, shoes, and cap and headed over to Ashawagh. But the crowd was huge, parking nowhere close to be found, and the incessant sniffles and coughs had their way, so I went back home.
But guilt quickly set in, so I am posting this little message in the hope it will suffice. I was sort of a neighbor at one time, Helen at one end of Cranberry Hole Road, me at the other end as owner of the Promised Land Fishing Station, so we occasionally met and chatted, especially after I started writing letters to The Star.
We met and chatted more often after I started tending bar at a great and sorely missed little jazz club called Birches on Fort Pond Boulevard in Springs, now called Springs Tavern. Yes, we talked about our seriously divergent views on most topics, but without rancor or venom. Things were different then — she didn’t call me Hitler, and I didn’t call her Lucifer.
Music also brought us together once in a while at the Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival concerts at the Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church. In fact, after one concert, I bought Helen and her female companion a round of drinks and some pizza, and Helen came to my defense after her companion had expressed an apparently very negative opinion of me. Whatever she said, Helen replied, “See, I told you he’s not a monster.” High praise, indeed.
Well, Helen, I don’t know if there are music concerts in the afterlife, but if there are, I hope we can get together and once again agree to disagree — amicably.
Sincerely,
REG CORNELIA
Noble Work
North Haven
April 28, 2025
Dear David:
The East Hampton Star, founded in 1885, is our valuable media resource here in the Hamptons. A succession of Rattray family members became its publisher from 1935 to this day. The Star offers excellent community journalism and is the newspaper of record for our beautiful historic area.
Helen Rattray contributed greatly to the survival and high quality of this paper as its publisher since 1980. Our recent loss of this respected community member and ethical journalist was felt with great sadness, however her legacy remains strong with David Rattray as publisher now, and editor in chief since 2003. We expect he will support this noble work for generations to come.
Most press and other media nationwide are under attack from big conglomerate enterprises that are focused on their profitability and spreading a unified but narrow political dogma. Let that not happen here, especially at these times fraught with threats to our ecology and democracy locally and nationwide.
This weekend we celebrated Earth Day, first held on April 22, 1970 — while our own government is infested with MAGA thugs and morons seemingly hell-bent on destroying it. Appropriately, Jacqui Lofaro presented another weekend of Earth Day documentary films at the Southampton Arts Center. Three films concerning trees and micro-organisms helped us understand clearly their critical value. We also became convinced of how important it is to plant and cherish our native vegetation. We must stop the reckless clear-cutting for development.
This brings to mind that we must continue putting pressure upon all our local politicians, including Nick LaLota, Lee Zeldin, Kathy Hochul, and our zoning and review boards to help save our threatened environment. They must be stopped from pandering to powerful investment interests. We actually have the votes to get rid of them, the money guys don’t!
With respect for Helen and our beloved environment,
ANTHONY CORON
Vital Contribution
Montauk
April 28, 2025
To the Editor:
At a time when many local newspapers are closing shop, The Star is one that stands out. It engages in careful reporting, publishes informative editorials, and prints everyone’s letters. In the process, it helps bind the community together and stimulates thoughtful discussions. It is the kind of press that our nation’s founders called upon to promote democracy.
East Hampton is fortunate to have this newspaper, which Helen Rattray worked so hard to maintain and develop. She made a vital contribution to civic life.
BILL CRAIN
Great Memorial
Springs
April 26, 2025
David,
Great memorial by Carissa Katz of Helen S. Rattray, former editor in chief of the impressive, legendary newspaper. It captured her steadfast commitment to free press as well as love of community and choral music.
JEFF NICHOLS
Those in Need
Amagansett
April 26, 2025
Dear David,
I’ve been volunteering at the East Hampton Food Pantry for a year now, and it’s been incredibly gratifying to serve those in need within our community. Working with such an amazing team of volunteers at the food pantry is a privilege. The highlight of my week is working the food distribution line on Tuesdays. No matter the weather — hot, cold, rainy, or windy — our team comes back every week, happily serving those in need. It warms my heart to witness such unwavering commitment from our volunteers.
However, we’re facing a concerning issue. During our recent Tuesday distribution, we served 944 people, which is a significant increase from 770 in 2024 and 464 in 2023. In total, including our deliveries to local seniors in East Hampton and Amagansett, we served 1,060 residents this week. Additionally, we provide healthy snacks for hundreds of kids in the East Hampton School District. At this pace, we’re confident that we’ll serve around 50,000 people this year. This wasn’t even our busiest week yet! On some Tuesdays, the distribution line runs nonstop from 1 to 6 p.m.
It’s a little-known fact that East Hampton Town, despite its splashy reputation as the playground for the rich and famous, actually has a high poverty rate, the highest in Suffolk County. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? The East Hampton Food Pantry relies solely on donations to operate.
Another cause for concern is that donations to food pantries all across Long Island are down, while the number of families we serve continues to grow. It would be wonderful if your readers could contribute to our efforts. There’s a simple donation prompt on our website (easthamptonfoodpantry.org) that makes it easy to give.
The East Hampton Food Pantry is an excellent place for both volunteers and students needing to fulfill their community service requirements. I highly recommend it! The kindness from our volunteers and the rewarding feeling of helping our community are the reasons why I return every week.
DAVID HUNTLEY
Farewell, Francis
East Hampton
April 28, 2025
To the Editor:
We’ve lost our greatest man. Not in the business of currying favor, he pleased but few completely and some, particularly in our puffed-up country, not at all.
From his first trip in 2013 to meet the forlorn “illegal” migrants on the Italian island of Lampedusa to visiting prisoners in Rome as his death drew very near, Pope Francis took the problems of the world — and those living on its margins — on his shoulders. He said the church is a field hospital.
It takes a very great man to see beyond his own church, his own country, and the prejudices that make our world so difficult for so many. It takes an even greater man to leap into action.
In his very old age he worked to the last — for us, por todos, as he would say.
Farewell, noble Francis.
TOM MACKEY
Hamptons Whodunit
East Hampton
April 22, 2025
Dear David,
Though I may be sending this a bit late, I couldn’t let the moment pass without sharing my immense appreciation for this year’s Hamptons Whodunit festival, held April 10 to 13 in East Hampton Village.
As a local resident and a lifelong mystery and crime fiction enthusiast — I read about 100 books a year, mostly in this genre — this event was an absolute dream. The gloomy weather even added the perfect moody atmosphere, setting the tone for a weekend that was as thoughtful and immersive as it was inspiring.
The panels were engaging, intimate, and full of heart. Hearing authors speak so openly about their writing processes, character development, and personal inspirations gave real depth to their work. Some were longtime favorites and others were new discoveries whose books have since become some of my top reads of 2025. Every room was buzzing with energy, from the audience to the panelists to the volunteers. You could feel the shared love of storytelling everywhere.
It didn’t just bring people to East Hampton — it brought people together. I met new friends, had a rare chance to casually converse with authors like old friends, and felt a sense of belonging in a literary community I hadn’t known existed here. In most settings, connecting with authors means long lines and brief moments, but this festival turned the page on typical meet-and-greets, offering real conversations and connection. It was exciting to hear attendees had traveled from California, Arizona, Kansas, Maryland, and more, but at its heart, this event still felt local. It belonged here.
The thoughtful planning and seamless orchestration by its co-founders Mayor Jerry Larsen, Lisa Larsen, Jackie Dunphy, and Carrie Doyle were evident at every turn. From the escape rooms and walking tours to the educational components and author mingles, no detail was overlooked. The volunteers were kind, the venues welcoming, and the entire weekend ran like a well-written plot — full of twists, passion, and personality.
We often use letters to the editor to voice concerns, but I want to use this space to thank the people who brought this event to life and gave locals like me something to be truly proud of. Hamptons Whodunit is more than a festival that takes place in East Hampton — it belongs in East Hampton. I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of it, and I’m already counting down to next year.
JESSA DIGERONIMO
Given a Chance
Coral Gables, Fla.
April 24, 2025
To the Editor,
“The Cameras Are Watching” article in the April 17 Star brings to light the efficiency of the new Flock license-plate readers in identifying and facilitating the arrest of drivers in the village. Unfortunately for the majority of these drivers, they have not been arrested for a moving violation; most have been arrested “for failure to keep up with insurance payments.” This can be considered as criminalizing poverty.
According to the article, “9 of the 14 cars (involved) were impounded,” thus preventing drivers from going about the business of getting to and from work or picking up the kids from school.
In Miami-Dade County, Florida, there is a similar problem of policing drivers with insurance and/or registration issues. But thanks to an initiative proposed by PACT (People Acting for Community Together), Miami-Dade has adopted the use of civil citations for these cases that do not involve moving violations. Rather than giving someone an arrest record, with all the implications thereof, drivers are given a chance to meet their legal and financial responsibilities while avoiding the stigma of an arrest record.
If the village is to continue this process of identifying “criminals,” it should consider the underlying cause of these “crimes” and penalize non-moving violations with civil citations rather than arrests.
KEN CLARKE
The Big One
Springs
April 22, 2025
Dear David,
I was a member of the planning board for 15 years (eight as chairwoman) and responsible for updating our very important comprehensive plan. I was later elected to the town board for another important update of our land-use map and zoning code. Now I watch what our town boards do to follow the goals and regulations adopted that determine the future growth and historic preservation of our community.
I have had concerns about the direction the current supervisor is leading the town board away from the adopted planning and zoning goals of our community. Kathee is pushing through oversized town buildings that are costing taxpayers millions of dollars and are adorned with stainless steel shingles, in addition to overclearing an area that is an endangered-species site.
There is more: She is insisting that large traffic circles with 24 signs be slapped down next to preserved farmland and obstructing the historic view of the preserved Sherrill Farm at the beginning of Springs. Both sites are in conflict with our adopted scenic areas of significance plan.
But here is the big one that could cause the most damage: Now the town board wants to strip the power of the planning board away and adopt changes to our codes that will eliminate the town board from dutifully following our high development standards for town projects.
This has happened before. A pro-big infrastructure-development town board eliminated the Planning Department in the 1980s and it was a disaster. Watch this town board carefully. I know I will.
Concerned,
DEBRA FOSTER
Willing to Rewrite
Wainscott
April 28, 2025
Dear David:
Perhaps I need to be reminded, but I cannot recall an instance in which a town project was “treated” as “exempt from local zoning review” as, apparently, do Councilman Ian Calder-Piedmonte and Councilman David Lys (“Hearing Put on Hold,” April 10). However, I can concur with Councilman Calder-Piedmonte that Cantwell Court and the senior center were the only town projects that came before us during the time that he and I served together on the planning board.
It seems ironic, then, that given the very limited universe of town projects that have actually been subject to the zoning code, the town board now seems intent on watering down the law “that no building or structure shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, demolished, razed or moved, nor shall any building, structure, lot or land be used or reused, except in conformity with [its] provisions” (town code section 255-1-13).
The senior center was on the planning board agenda on June 14, 2023, at which time, because it was designated as a town project only limited questions were addressed. However, at a public hearing on the senior center before the town board, on Dec. 7, 2023, a member of the public stated that the town board was “effectively making yourself exempt from zoning.” The town board — after first taking lead agency status under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, and prevailing before the Department of Environmental Conservation in a challenge from the planning board, thereafter finally undertook the legally-required Monroe analysis and, earlier this year, lawfully exempted the senior center from the zoning code. (This is not to say that I, personally, agreed with the town’s determination but, at least the town followed the law in exempting the senior center from the zoning code.)
Apparently, though, complying with existing law by undertaking the Monroe analysis for the senior center was so traumatic that some members of the town board are now willing to rewrite our venerated zoning code so that the town board, the next time it — or some future town board — wants to build something it deems to be a “community resource,” it no longer has to worry about obeying a mandate of the New York State Court of Appeals.
I can’t think of a worse message that the town board could send to the law-abiding citizens of this town, or to those who would want to lawfully develop land here.
Sincerely,
SAMUEL KRAMER
One-Party Rule
Amagansett
April 4, 2025
To the Editor:
Last week’s article “Few Republican Challengers on the 2025 Slate” centers the reason why local democracy is in such trouble. Local government never benefits from monopoly. The people in charge become selfish, complacent, and unresponsive. In fact, one-party rule creates what I call an ontological cage, in which the wits of smart people become dull due to the lack of challenges. This is exactly what has happened here.
The Republicans certainly bear a share of the blame: The tender stewardship of Manny Vilar and Reg Cornelia led to a classic “own goal” in decimating their own party. This has certainly facilitated a situation in which the Democrats stand for no moral principles and even have no personality.
In a period where compassionate, assertive, and protective leadership is needed more than ever, the Democrats are all about — building the boondoggle senior center; giving in on the airport, and abandoning the zoning laws. Last week’s letters column confirms a perception I have had for years: No one likes the town Democrats.
Against this backdrop, Sylvia Overby’s letter was a welcome surprise. For years, she was an increasingly quiet, passive cog in that machine. Seeing Sylvia take a shot at her former colleagues was inspiring — and confirms the degree to which the town board has jumped the rails.
For democracy in East Hampton,
JONATHAN WALLACE
Tell the Tale
Amagansett
April 27, 2025
To the Editor,
Amagansett School has put an overemphasis this year, in my opinion, on Autism Acceptance Month. Could it be from last year when I called out the school board for doing nothing even though it was plastered in the Blue Ribbon application? Perhaps. After all, Kristen Peterson was the only individual left from the application, as Seth Turner had already left and Maria Dorr was out on accusations.
The school brought in a psychotherapist this past Thursday to speak on autism. The issue for our family was this individual is allegedly part of a bigger group who we’ve been told “hates” us and desperately wants us to sell our house and move away. Unfortunately for detractors, we find these wants and desires laughable.
Let us also not forget this individual who spoke was quoted on the Michael Rodgers change.org petition and has a very interesting last name. It matches that of the family who brought in the gift cards during the red envelope express. This child was never questioned privately by Richard Loeschner, the Amagansett interim superintendent. Yet the child, whose mother worked at the Shell station, was brought to speak with Mr. Loeschner alone multiple times. Briefs and testimony tell the tale.
The hearing and decision also outlined how during the Maria Dorr event and after. At the time co-presidents of the teacher’s union, Michael Rodgers and Ashley Blackburn, met daily with Mr. Loeschner. Interesting now that Mr. Rodgers and Ms. Blackburn most likely have finalized the new teacher’s contract. My bet is it’ll be quiet until after the election.
Still here,
JOE KARPINSKI
Preserve Due Process
East Hampton
April 24, 2025
Dear David,
I recently was told that many people do not understand the principle of due process, which was surprising to me. Our country has thrived because we are guided by that doctrine of law, and it is basic to our democracy. All persons are entitled to due process whether or not they are citizens. That means everyone is entitled to a fair judicial hearing to determine whether or not they are guilty of any criminal or unlawful charges brought against them.
No one should be whisked off the street or taken from their home and summarily sent to some jungle prison in a foreign country because they have a particular tattoo or attended a party where criminals were present or were the victim of someone’s grudge and falsely accused of a crime or wrote in some publication an opinion piece that the current government does not agree with.
We, as a country at this time, have to loudly speak out and fight to preserve the legal principle of due process.
ROBERT CARDONSKY
Critical Aspect
East Hampton
April 23, 2025
To the Editor:
One critical aspect of due process is the right to have an appropriate legal proceeding before being imprisoned. A district attorney who thinks you committed a crime may not send you to jail without a trial if you say you are innocent.
Think about the ramifications of losing the right to due process. A climate activist participating in a peaceful demonstration when the current government does not want this issue addressed is sent to jail in a foreign country. A college student organizing a petition to counter his university’s refusal to admit foreign students, a policy advocated by the government. Does he disappear into the prison system never to have a fair trial?
Much like mandating the wearing of masks during Covid, due process should not be a political issue.
Concerned Neighbors of Long Island,
JOAN CASPI
FRED DOSS
TIM FRAZIER
JOAN OVERLOCK
JUDITH SCHNEIDER
MARK SUSSMAN
TESS WACHS
NORBERT WEISSBERG
Rings Hollow
East Hampton
April 27, 2025
To the Editor:
Representative Nick LaLota’s recent phone-in “town hall” on Long Island Talk Radio was less a genuine dialogue than a carefully managed public relations exercise with no opportunity for real follow-up or accountability. Instead of addressing pressing concerns about executive overreach, Representative LaLota deferred to the logic of “The Art of the Deal” to explain the so-called method behind Donald Trump’s actions — a worrying reliance on a business book to justify the erosion of democratic norms and congressional authority.
Even more concerning was Mr. LaLota’s promise that Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare would not be cut. This assurance rings hollow when his party’s own budget resolution calls for $880 billion in cuts over 10 years, with Medicaid making up the vast majority of that target. Despite his claims, independent analysis shows there are no real protections for these vital programs in the resolution that he supported.
Finally, Mr. LaLota continues to tout his party’s commitment to lower taxes as a panacea for economic woes, despite ample evidence that such policies have failed to deliver for working families. The removal of the SALT deduction in the last tax overhaul hurt middle-class homeowners, a fact he glosses over while insisting he’s fighting for relief.
East End residents deserve open, unscripted forums with their representative — not pre-screened calls and softball questions from the host. And we deserve honest answers about the real-world impact of the policies being pushed in our name.
Sincerely,
BRYAN CLARKE
Shoot Spitballs
East Hampton
April 25, 2025
Dear Mr. Editor:
First and foremost, I am sorry for your loss. May God bless you all. As always, I hope all is well at The Star. Your April 10th edition had a great editorial section! There was no Trump-, Musk-, or Republican-bashing. I thought you may have turned a corner and let The Star “shine for all,” but I see it was short-lived, as in the next editions you were right back at it. However, I see you did get a tongue thrashing from John Hovekamp. What was great is that he knew what he was talking about, unlike your left-side writers that shoot spitballs on the wall and see if they stick.
What your higher I.Q. peeps don’t realize is that Musk is just a guy doing a job. If it isn’t Musk it would be someone else. What I find alarming is how you all loved the guy with the Green New Deal and now he is a villain because he is searching for and stamping out government overspending and waste. I mean we all do it at home, correct? Talk about “unhinged.” How does damaging Tesla dealerships and privately owned vehicles hurt Musk? All they are doing is making insurance rates go up and interrupting innocent people’s lives.
Many of your writers use the words “dictatorship” and “autocracy,” which is impossible with our form of government. Those writers provide unverified and indiscriminate information. Just take a look at local government, a dominant party system that believes it should be exempt from the rules and regulations they impose upon us. Wow! What would you call that!
Best regards and yours to command,
JEFFREY PLITT
Fertility, Prosperity
East Hampton
April 24, 2025
To the Editor,
Legend has it that during his lifetime Genghis Kahn fathered over 1,000 offspring. Over the centuries since then, fertility has been connected with a nation’s prosperity and dominance. In more recent times, Hitlerian thinking demanded many more births from the population in order to strengthen the Third Reich.
We must have shuddered to think how in-vitro fertilization could have been used during the Nazi era, not only I.V.F., but also for gene manipulation, among other things. It would be wrong to think that governments of every stripe have not considered how I.V.F. could be manipulated for their own purposes.
Which brings us to the present situation in the United States of America. President Trump has laughably called himself the “father of I.V.F.” (after it was explained to him what I.V.F. was, which must have taken quite an effort). Let’s not forget the contributions of Elon Musk, which would make him the natural choice to head the future “Department of National Fertility.”
P. DAVID FREEDMAN
Perhaps Some Truth
Montauk
April 28, 2025
Dear David,
It’s Monday, late afternoon. I finally got around to reading The Star, the entire paper. I noticed in the letters to the editor a fantastic letter written by Arthur French. I do not personally know him; I do know of him. His letter was well written, and I hope last Thursday Deborah Goodman took the time to read it.
Ms. Goodman has so much hatred for President Trump, she should take the time to stop and think perhaps there is some truth to both my statements, and other writers, Carol Dray and Mr. French.
Please let me add my sincere condolences to you and your family over the loss of your mother.
Sincerely,
BEA DERRICO
Pressure Can Work
East Hampton
April 28, 2025
To the Editor,
Trump, Musk, and their Department of Governmental Efficiency brethren are the political equivalent of smash-and-grab shoplifters. They moved with lightning speed, slashed their way through once-hallowed institutions and federal departments, and broke things, firing tens of thousands of essential federal employees without cause; cutting funding from cancer research, education, food programs, and public health initiatives, and dismantling the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The list goes on and on.
So far, legal challenges have mitigated some of the damage, but that hasn’t stopped them. In many cases, although judges have ruled that fired employees be reinstated or cut funding be restored, the administration says it will comply and then simply doesn’t.
But we’re not powerless, at least not yet. We’ve seen that pressure can work. When the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo freezing all federal loans and grants, the administration rescinded the order two days later because of fierce backlash. And, after ordering funding and staff cuts at a health care program for victims of 9/11, the administration did an about-face after there was pushback. More often than not, when public outrage is loud enough, this administration backs down.
If there’s any hope of salvaging our democracy, it is up to us to keep the pressure on.
Sincerely,
CAROL DEISTLER