Model for the Arts Springs January 17, 2015 Dear Editor: I am now a confirmed fan of Springs School opera. For the second year, I was invited to the annual opera by Ms. Norma Edwards, friend and true Bonacker, who was thanked in the program of “Bound for Gardiner’s Island” for her historical advice. This time, instead of going to the dogs as in last year’s “Dogs Don’t Talk,” the audience and I were transported to East Hampton in 1914, where a group of intrepid adventurers, including a very convincing actress as Coastal, yellow Lab, went to Gardiner’s Island to find Captain Kidd’s treasure. Though not successful, they all learned there’s no place like home. As a writer, director, producer, and professor of children’s media for over 40 years, I was extremely impressed by the professionalism of the ensemble of young people under the direction of Sue O’Connor and an amazing staff. Equally noteworthy was the amazing research involved to depict the period, beginning the opera with filmed scenes of the past, the authentic costumes, props, scenery, the boat (fantastic in its construction and credibility) and stormy waves the group encountered on its perilous trip back to shore and concerned friends. From the program, it was abundantly clear that many of the East Hampton community had contributed to the making of “Bound for Gardiner’s Island,” as well as the visiting artist Paton Miller, who directed and guided the very talented set design team in the creation of the mural and boat. The mural especially touched me, having been here off and on for 50 years and now a part-time resident. This community involvement and the entire cast’s wonderful acting and singing, as well as the music (kudos to the composers and musicians), truly were special, and, obviously from the wildly enthusiastic clapping throughout, connected to an audience of all ages. One parent commented to Norma and me that the opera gets better every year. Most important, as I wrote in last year’s letter to the editor, one of the most empowering ways to bring reality to art for schoolchildren is to have them engage in making their own work of art and, with “Bound for Gardiner’s Island,” to understand the value of local history. I once again applaud the Springs School for continuing to foster such an extracurricular activity, and Ms. O’Connor for her commitment and leadership over the last 18 years to this exciting and highly worthwhile program. It is a real model for the importance of the arts in young people’s education. LYNNE McVEIGH Bound for Gardiner’s Springs January 19, 2015 Dear Editor, Now that our opera, “Bound for Gardiner’s Island,” has completed its run, we wanted to thank you for the great coverage. Once again we played to packed audiences at John Drew Theater for four performances, with 76 fourth graders showing what they can do when the bar is set very high, based on the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s “Creating Original Opera” concept. Once again Springs has proved its commitment to the arts, and the benefits are evident. Thanks to our board of education and administration, we celebrated our 18th year of opera with this production. What better way to learn about authentic research than to tie the arts to our local heritage? The ambitious visiting artist program, funded by the Springs Mystery Art Show, made it possible for artists such as Paton Miller and Rossa Cole to work collaboratively with students, evidenced by the huge backdrop of Gardiner’s Island, the life-sized boat, and the recycled seagulls. Thanks to opera parents and friends (too numerous to list) past and present, who continue to volunteer countless hours. If you were among the unfortunate who missed the performance, LTV filmed the production and we will be selling copies. In addition, we are in the process of creating a CD of the music with Crossroads and publishing a children’s book in play format with the music sheets included, illustrated by the fourth graders. The program has expanded to a yearlong project. For further information, contact [email protected]. Thank you again, SUE ELLEN O’CONNOR Coordinator COLLEEN McGOWAN Artistic Coordinator A Shining Example Skillman, N.J. January 14, 2015 Dear David, I was delighted to see Mark Segal’s article “A 17th-Century House Meets the 21st Century” (Jan. 1 issue), about Congress Hall, the historic house at 177 Main Street. That house, which had been owned by members of the Mulford family from the time it was built until the 1970s, was the home of my grandparents David Green Mulford and Elizabeth Osborne Mulford. My father, E. Courtland Mulford, was born there, and I spent many happy hours in that house during my years growing up on the adjacent Mulford compound in the 1930s and ’40s. I inherited the house in the early ’70s and sold it in 1976. It was sad to see it fall into disrepair in recent years, and we were very pleased when Don and Kathy Ashby purchased it. Last summer, we had the opportunity to meet them and tour the house as its renovation neared completion. I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. The Ashbys have maintained the beauty and integrity of the house, which is located in such a prominent spot, overlooking the Village Green and across from Mulford Farm and Home, Sweet Home, and at the same time making it into an elegant and livable 21st-century home. What a wonderful way to preserve, and at the same time use, a historic building. It should serve as a shining example to others. DAVID E. MULFORD Bonac Is Rising East Hampton January 14, 2015 To the Editor: The unmistakable feeling of Bonac rising is in the air! On behalf of the board of directors of the East Hampton Town Historical Farm, associates, and friends, I thank the East Hampton Town Board, particularly Sylvia Overby, Peter Van Scoyoc, and Larry Cantwell, as well as Theresa Quigley, and each town board since the Lester-Labrozzi property was purchased with community preservation funds; Scott Wilson, Tony Littman and his parks and recreation crew, the fire marshals, and the Building Department, for their continuing support for the East Hampton Town Historical Farm Museum. In April we will reopen with a display of “Large Farms in East Hampton,” and continue with our organic garden and medicinal herb garden, the renovation of the barn by the town, and a celebration in the summer of medical history, from Dr. Edwards’s visits to the farm to his removal of tonsils en masse at the Neighborhood House. Please come by to visit, on Saturdays from April 11 to Dec. 12, or on special-events days to be announced. If you can make a clam pie, please sign up for our clam pie competition in September. Yes, yes, Bub, Bonac is rising! Sincerely, PRUDENCE CARABINE A Springs Landmark Springs January 19, 2015 To the Editor: The Springs General Store is up for sale. It is a landmark in the Springs Historical District. The general store is the grocery store where Jackson Pollock shopped in the 1940s. Springs and the store are so well identified with that period in American art known as Abstract Expressionism. Today locals make it their destination for coffee and sandwiches as well as sitting on the porch on rockers idling time away. On Sunday afternoon East Hampton musicians congregate there to make music. The general store as constituted, the fuel pumps, the blacksmith shop, the library, Ashawagh Hall, and Pussy’s Pond and bridge are a magical combination that should be preserved in their entirety just as the Amagansett Farmers Market was preserved. The town should step up and buy the Springs General Store and lease it for continued operation as it is. LENORE WEINSTEIN Montauk in the Winter Montauk January 16, 2015 To the Editor, I love Montauk in the winter. What a wonderland, despite the chill winds. Tourons gone, traffic minimal, the glorious birds in their varied plumage dancing around the bird feeders, fawns tentatively stepping out of the brush to scoop up stray seeds. Then, peace is shattered. The sound of gunshots breaks the stillness of a Sunday morning. I think of innocent creatures slaughtered. And I hate Montauk in the winter. HELEN SEARING Moneys Better Spent East Hampton January 17, 2015 Dear David: After reading about your admirable tolerance for living with a 70-pound snarky pig in your house, it reminded me how taken aback and surprised I find myself, when you have in the past written on your position of being not in favor of protecting our deer wildlife with a take-as-many and however-you-can attitude. I also was sadly reminded by your article last week, two pages in, that East Hampton Village’s deer-spaying program is under way. Our village board has dedicated $30,000 of our taxpayer money and the Village Preservation Society has collected and donated $100,000 to this undercover experiment taking place in unspecified south of the highway locations. A whopping $130,000 in total, with it costing $1,000 per deer to capture, sedate, spay, and release. Doing the math, that gets us 130 neutered deer. The deer-hunting season is well under way seven days a week. This now gives ample time for local and out-of-town hunters to possibly shoot these 130 expensively neutered deer. It has been stated that these 130 deer will not be fit for consumption because of the anesthetics used in this spaying program. So what then, dear David, happens to these $1,000-per-head deer if they are shot for dead? When it is discovered that they have a little tag in their ear are these hunters going to drag these heavy animals out of the woods and go through the process for nothing, or will they just leave them where they lie? What a sad waste of life and what a big waste of money! Considering that we have a very serious environmental and health concern that was okayed by our village board, with PSE$G’s enormous toxic poles lining our village and town, one would think that the village and the Village Preservation Society moneys would have been better spent on legally fighting PSE$G to remove these poles and/or putting it toward a kitty for burying them. Unfortunately, this new year still carries the burden of the past year’s utility pole fiasco. The sooner our village and town governments start to re-ramp up the heat on this serious issue the better. Stop messing with our wildlife and our right to have a safe and peaceful weekend without hunting. From beasts we scorn as soulless, In forest, field and den, The cry goes up to witness The soullessness of men — M. Frieda Hartley Kindest regards, BETSY PETROSKI On Public Trails East Hampton January 17, 2015 Dear David, Last weekend we were awakened to the distinct sound of a shotgun firing. It was quite loud. Later, we decided to go for a walk on the Northwest trails with our friends who were visiting and our dog. The trails are just across the street from us by Two Holes of Water Road’s pond. We have had the pleasure of enjoying the pine-filled woods and solace the trails offer, for decades. As we approached the entrance I noted that a sign had been posted over the town’s permanent trail map sign. It was a warning that hunting season was in effect. We were understandably amazed, as the trails have always been for the public to enjoy unfettered from fear of being shot by bow or gun hunters. I would like to know when this change took place and why? Isn’t it negligent to allow hunting on public-owned land and trails? Why is the town overlooking public safety? I am not in favor of deer-culling or bow-hunting. We are sympathetic to the deer’s plight: Forced out of their natural habitats with the increase in new residences built over the years, they have become more visible to us. Deer often stroll across our lawn and we enjoy seeing them. Our dog and deer get on well, in fact. Neither is afraid of the other. We feel the deer were here long before we had landscaping done and we’re not bothered by them in the least. The wildlife is what makes our community a lovely environment! I do not believe bow-hunting is a good way to “manage” the deer. Too often they are mortally wounded and run off in fear and agony only to slowly die. Shooting deer is also unnecessary. How many hunters need or eat the deer meat? In my opinion, hanging a deer head on the wall of one’s home is quite barbaric. I believe it is the instruction of the Department of Environmental Conservation to shoot to kill the females first. This is appalling. What happened to the idea of the fertilization treatment? Wildlife doesn’t need pruning, animals seem to do just fine by themselves. I don’t understand human beings thinking they must control every living creature on this planet. I would hope the town would eliminate hunting altogether, but if not, do not permit it on our public trails. It is inviting an accident that could be deadly. We wish you and your family a very happy new year! Sincerely, SUSAN McGRAW KEBER Dark Sky Design Springs January 18, 2015 Dear David, There are a number of false myths being perpetrated about dark sky lighting designs. For one, the poorly designed path lighting at the new East Hampton Town Hall does not meet dark sky guidelines in any way. The light levels are too low, the spacing is too wide, the fixtures are inefficient, the controls are inadequate, the color of the light is too blue, the uniformity (dark to light) ratios are insufficient, and as a result, the lighting is unsafe. The firm that designed that lighting did not conform to the light levels as specified by the Illuminating Engineering Society’s recommended practices for sidewalks, which are the same specifications that are used by dark sky advocates. The engineering society’s light levels have been found by the Department of Energy to successfully defend all “slip and fall” lawsuits. For another, dark sky lighting design is best for night vision, energy conservation, safety, and real security (not a false sense of security). There are much more effective and efficient means to protect unoccupied private property than lighting. Good news: I have been told that all the lighting at the Town Hall campus will be changed when the renovation of the old Town Hall is undertaken. As a trained lighting designer and educator, I am available to any group or person or business that may wish to learn about the advantages of using night lighting sensibly for better security, safety, and energy conservation. SUSAN HARDER International Dark Sky Association Carbon Legislation South Setauket January 15, 2015 To the Editor: Thanks to the editorial board for recognizing the need for a transition to clean power and acknowledging the government subsidies that keep gas, oil, and coal artificially cheap (“Offshore Wind Blocked,” Jan. 15). We support the industry with our taxes while paying dearly for their products through health costs, property damage, and economic losses, thanks to spills and climate change-fueled extreme weather. Why pay fuel companies to harm us? Moreover, we can’t even the outsized odds by throwing more tax credits at clean alternatives. Let’s tax fossil-fuel extraction or import and return all proceeds directly to the public. Studies show this policy would offset most families’ increase in energy costs, and for many, home efficiency and residential solar would become attractive, affordable investment options. As proposed by the nonpartisan Citizens’ Climate Lobby and conservative economists, carbon “fee and dividend” legislation would add more than two million jobs while reducing carbon pollution and saving lives. With jobs a top priority for Americans, Representative Lee Zeldin would be wise to support this revenue-neutral policy. JEANNE BRUNSON A Town Manager East Hampton January 17, 2015 To the Editor: As a member of the League of Woman Voters of the Hamptons, I was very pleased to hear that the East Hampton Town Board is considering the creation of a town manager position. The league has advocated the adoption of a town manager and has received support for this position from the East Hampton Group for Good Government, the East Hampton Business Alliance, and the Accabonac AARP. A professionally trained town manager — someone with a degree in public administration (or a related area) and certification from the International City/County Management Association — would be an asset to town government. Such a position would streamline decision-making by the board, free board members from day-to-day operating responsibilities, allowing them the time to consider broad goals and policies, and provide continuity and consistent operational expertise through changes in board membership. We strongly support Larry Cantwell and the board in this endeavor and trust that they will move forward in establishing a town manager as a professional, nonpolitical position that will enable the town to more efficiently and effectively meet the needs of our community. ESTELLE GELMAN Vice President League of Women Voters Of the Hamptons The Truck Issue East Hampton January 19, 2015 Dear David, Of course, it’s always about money, but the truck issue, as the town board is well aware, is not the same for those who pursue business by abusing zoning codes and those who only live in Springs, a growing number of whom are pensioners — many widows — and like all residents, already feel the burden of paying inequitably high real estate taxes. For such homeowners, issues about “aesthetics” and “quality of life” translate into concerns about financial value. “Ugly” and “environmentally suspect” not only reduce the attractiveness of residential property, however, they signal an inability or an unwillingness of a community to police itself and a failure of elected officials to follow through on promises to uphold zoning laws. As town board meetings continue to demonstrate, businesses — owners and workers — that depend on commercial trucks that violate codes about parking on private property have been presented with alternatives about storing their large vehicles. Homeowners adversely affected by code violations have no alternative. They also have doubts that those whom they voted for will hear their voices and are ready to enforce the law in a timely manner. That means not yielding to continuing attempts to vitiate code restrictions by way of redefining basic terms (what’s a “light truck”?) in order to get out from under. The letter of the law has already been savaged, as pictures and data entered in evidence at various town meetings show. Isn’t it time to show that the spirit of the law remains inviolate? Sincerely, JOAN BAUM To Live Next Door Springs January 19, 2015 Dear David, The town board this week again presents their nondefinition of a light truck and what commercial vehicles should be allowed in residential neighborhoods. I have said this many times. The current truck proposal is arbitrary, anti-neighborhood, unbalanced, unfair, and if enacted will have unintended consequences that impact negatively on our communities. No one wants to live next door to box trucks, dump trucks, and a fleet of pickups that can be as large as 12,000 pounds or maybe larger, not to mention double-axle (garages on wheels) trailers and other motorized or unmotorized paraphernalia. Who wants this next door? Do you? Remember Adam Osterwald in beautiful Clearwater Beach? It took code enforcement 34 visits, and months to shut down the illegal construction company next door to him. Maybe the reason code enforcement was so diligent was because a video had been made of the noise and truck and vehicle activity. It was shown on YouTube and sent to local newspapers. The video was given to the supervisor. It became impossible to ignore. Most situations like that do not get that amount of attention. Trust me, in most situations code walks away because they deem no violation exists. They don’t see it. They don’t hear it, therefore it does not exist. Case closed. Commercial vehicles should be parked in commercial zones. No one is denying people their trucks, or their homes, their tranquillity, and/or their peace of mind. They can sleep next to their pickup trucks in their driveways. We respectfully ask that residential areas not be allowed to be parking lots. In my hamlet, most people live on postage-stamp lots. That means we have to sleep next to their trucks in their driveways, or very close to our bedroom windows. Residential law has always prohibited that; the law separates land usages for the betterment of all parties. There are reasons for that. As I write this letter I am looking at campaign literature sent out at election time with pictures of two sitting board members, a card with a political message, verbiage that states “Springs Spoke, We Listened. A well-run community that serves its citizens fairly and effectively enforces its laws.” I believe what is happening with this issue is called political pandering, writing a law for the few to the detriment of the many. No other town on Long Island allows what is being proposed here. Not even close! Also, all of this class warfare and these incendiary false arguments are not helpful. It does not address the problem, it fuels fury on both sides. No one is denying anyone their truck and no one is denying anyone their livelihood. This has become the standard retort. It is nonsense, a false choice, and it has become tiresome. Residential law prohibits the parking of a multitude of trucks large and small in residential areas. It always has. This is not radical. We have residential zones to protect residential property. The law has been broken and now this board is rewriting law to suit some very loud and aggressive voices. It does not even recognize federal, state, or regional weight and size classifications for commercial vehicles. This board has just arbitrarily made it up to suit their fancy. Not good local government. We are all equal under the law, no? It seems in East Hampton Town, if you don’t like a law, break it. The town board will rewrite it. We are trying to preserve our neighborhoods, our quality of life, our property values, and keep our heads above water. We do pay the property taxes. It is not easy. Where I live, property taxes are high. This board is trying to legislate and sanction that it’s okay for trucks, trailers, etc., to live where I live. This is degrading my neighborhood. I want protection for my community and my most beautiful hamlet. Thank you, BETSY RUTH Just Enough Religion Amagansett January 15, 2015 Dear David, “We have just enough religion to make us hate but not enough to make us love one another.” (Jonathan Swift) Je suis Charlie. DIANA WALKER Time to Get Mad Sag Harbor January 19, 2015 To the Editor, Yes, we have the weapons nuclear or weapons of mass destruction. Our foreign policy seems to be hell-bent to bomb, bomb, and send drones by the thousands, as if they were toys of technology. On the other end innocent human beings, mostly women and children, die just like us. Wars fought like this will never go away. The evidence is there. We have never won a war since World War II but we set in motion many civic wars around the world by training others to fight our wars. A Pentagon policy known as “low intensity conflict” aims to keep our body count low so the American public is not aroused. Does it work? View the black wall in Washington — almost 60,000 deaths remind us we lost our war in Vietnam too. Have men in power gone mad? Are they living out an illusion? Or both? One further comment to better understand the above. Since the Middle East has grown into a cycle of violence out of control, the Pentagon has raised from 60 percent to 80 percent the selling of weapons to any nation anywhere as long as they can pay for them. We have armed the world to the teeth — a recipe for future wars. Maybe the time has come for us to get mad. I leave you with one last question. How can a handful of people in power so easily control the 99 percent? We the people continue to pay a high price for silence and tolerate the pain of the next generation? As always, peace be with you, war is not the answer. “The greatest prayer for humankind is not victory but peace.” Amen. LARRY DARCEY The Wrong Fork Amagansett January 18, 2015 To the Editor, Today is a time when our world is faced with untimely, complacent government taking the wrong fork in the road that is leading to severe apathy, indifference, and displacement. A point of self-destruction stemming from leaders who are prone to political correctness and a negation of constitutional laws that stem from a group of left-wing liberals and a country that half-cares. I know there are many who desire to hold on to what our forefathers designed to protect our civil freedoms, but it is now challenged with unfit leaders who just reflect unity. Also, we need people to stand to the truth and give our nation what it deserves. Qualities that speak of humility, sincerity, hopefulness, and a vigilant desire for superiority that is seemingly being divulged to the point of destruction. It is time for the people to speak for what is necessary by their voices that have become silent. I can only say it is a travesty to why this country initially was fought for. Sincerely, LINDA PRINCE
Published 4 years ago
Last updated 4 years ago
Letters to the Editor: 01.22.15
January 21, 2015