Letters to the Editor: 01.29.98
Natives Are Restless
Montauk
January 19, 1998
Dear Helen,
Once upon a time there was a special piece of land smack in the middle of a small village that had been set aside by the town fathers as space that would remain open and would never be sold to anyone to build on.
It would belong to all the people of the village and be kept free of obstacles that would prevent the townspeople from using it for special events. They did erect a flagpole on one corner of it and a memorial for those killed in the great war, but for many years the rest of the plaza was kept an open greensward that was the village common.
The green, as it was called, was surrounded by half of a traffic circle on one side and a main highway on the other that completely isolated it from any encroachment from commercial buildings that encompassed it. It was mutually understood that it was to remain open space forever and have no permanent structures that would interfere with the occasional use of the space by the townspeople.
But one day some new people moved into town and thought that such a valuable and strategically located area of open space should be put to better use and not be allowed to go to waste. They, and they alone, decided it was the perfect place for a gazebo and offered to build one there whether the townsfolk wanted it there or not.
So, one day, smack in the middle of the open space, a prefabricated gazebo reared its filigreed head as a fait accompli. Some of the villagers thought it was "cute," a memento of childhood. Others hated it as a symbol of some outsider forcing its cutesy-pie taste down the throats of the locals without so much as a by-your-leave.
However, when bushes were added to make it look like it had lived there for the past century, people grudgingly accepted it and returned to the important concerns of life, tending to business.
Later, when a drunk failed to make a turn at the village green and ran his truck into the gazebo, most people said, "Good. That's why nothing permanent was ever built there."
Unfazed, the gazebo group had a groin of barrier boulders installed there to annihilate any other vehicles that dared to invade its territory, thereby extending the perimeter of its confiscated green at least twofold.
To soften the visual impact, the boulders were camouflaged behind an additional extension of shrubs and greenery. While they were at it, a blue spruce was planted as an outrider that would grow 30 feet high and again reduce and restrict the use of the open space available.
Proud of their achievements, the gazebo gang became a "committee," which emboldened them to ask the town fathers and mothers (not to be confused with the village cousins) to install underground sprinklers to not only wet down the grass but anyone else who dared encroach on "their" green.
Not the Friends of the Library book fair (once a year) or the Montauk Artists exhibition (ditto), or any other community organizations. Henceforth, all vehicles, including any used to set up or remove displays, tables, etc., will be verboten! They even asked for curbing to accomplish this but did not stipulate whether it would be six inches or six feet high.
Helen, the Montauk natives are restless tonight. A monster has stolen their green and all the Christmas lights in the world are not going to convince them otherwise. They want it back.
The message is loud and clear - Either live and let live or relocate your grab-it-all gazebo at the recycling center and set it up next to the "free wood chips."
FRANK BORTH
Censorship, Ignorance
Water Mill
January 24, 1998
Dear Mrs. Rattray,
Just a note of appreciation in regard to Ms. Silvia Tennenbaum's letter to the editor last week concerning our intellectually diminutive Congressional Representative Michael P. Forbes and his latest championing of intolerance and narrow-mindedness.
In this case, Mr. Forbes has joined with the voices of censorship and ignorance in attacking an upcoming series of lectures at the Smithsonian Institution celebrating Israel's 50th anniversary.
Much like those who led the shameful attacks upon the same museum for having the temerity to present an exhibition on the Enola Gay that didn't read like a second-grade primer or a Pentagon information pamphlet, Mr. Forbes has now chosen to stand as champion for those who would further stifle communication and learning.
Personally, I am much more comfortable with my tax dollars going to a Smithsonian Institution that encourages intellectual curiosity and fosters some level of global understanding rather than the Ministry of Propaganda preferred by Mr. Forbes and his ilk.
Sincerely,
ERIC MAX ERNST
The Meaning Of Time
New York City
January 19, 1998
Helen,
We were surprised when we read through your year-end issue, which spoke movingly of the passing of de Kooning and Lichtenstein, that you did not mention Hans Hokanson, whose death we know you felt to be not only a loss for the arts community, but for everyone who knew him and admired his resourcefulness and creative energy.
We learned many things from Hans, watching him at his work, which was always inventive and full of humor, as well as with his family, whom he taught to live beautifully and fully. We also learned that building a house for his family may be the highest expression of a man's talent. If for nothing else, we loved him for that.
It was a year marked by the passing of a number of friends, whom we had come to believe would last forever. There lies the real meaning of time. And we will miss none more than Hans.
Love to you all,
D.A. PENNEBAKER
CHRIS HEGEDUS
Another Late Budget
East Hampton
January 22, 1998
Dear Editor:
In 1997 the citizens of New York State allowed our elected representatives to give us the 13th consecutive year of a late budget.
Late budgets are expensive. Late budgets mean low credit ratings. Low credit ratings mean higher borrowing costs, and taxpayers pay for these higher costs.
Reform of the state budget process is a League of Women Voters 1998 legislative priority. We support consensus revenue forecasting and joint conferencing by a committee from both houses.
Such changes would reduce some of the political maneuvering and expedite the budget process. Compromise on budget issues reached through joint conferencing alleviates the concern that the negotiations are carried out by three persons in a closed room.
Joint conferencing ultimately requires all legislators to take real, public positions on controversial issues, thus leading to a more productive and responsive Legislature.
The League of Women Voters of the Hamptons urges all citizens to make budget reform a priority and let the Governor and your representatives in the Legislature know that we will not allow them to give us a late budget in 1998. Remember, we get a late budget because we allow it.
Sincerely,
JOY LUPOLETTI
ANNE RIORDAN
Co-Presidents
League of Women Voters of the Hamptons
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