A Springs Happening Springs September 2, 2015 Dear David, On Sept. 20 there will be a gathering at Ashawagh Hall to remember the Free Life balloon, which was launched from Springs 45 years ago. Organized by the Springs Historical Society and LTV, we are hoping anyone who was there on Sept. 20, 1970, will come to record their memories. For those who were there it was an unforgettable sight. A spotless blue sky, hundreds of well-wishers gathered in George Sid Miller’s field on Fireplace Road, the local and the national press and network media, all focused on a large, seven-story-tall orange and white balloon wafting in the breeze, pulling at its tethers. On board were three young adventurers preparing to launch on what was hoped to be the first manned balloon to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Malcolm Brighton, the pilot, was from the U.K. A hot air and helium balloon designer and pilot, this would be his 100th ascent in a lighter-than-air craft. Rodney Anderson and his wife, Pamela Brown (U.S.A.), were the instigators of the adventure. Four years in the planning, there had been many setbacks and endless financial problems to beset the Andersons, but on this glorious, sunny day in late September all that was behind them. They had come to Springs a year before in search of an ideal place to launch, and found so much more than a flat field near the ocean they were looking for. Mr. Miller was amenable and soon all of Springs seemed to embrace the project — from Willem de Kooning and Jean Stafford to Clarence and Dorothy Barns of Barnes Country Store, the Springs Fire Department, local mechanics, and schoolchildren. The Free Life in the summer of 1970 had become a Springs happening. On Sept. 20, people started gathering at dawn, waiting all through the morning for a northeasterly wind. At noon the wind complied favorably. The ground crew was at the ready, a bottle of Champagne was opened, Old Glory and the Union Jack unfurled in the rigging. The tether ropes were freed and the volunteer Springs crew manually held the gondola close to the ground as it skimmed over Mr. Miller’s field. Then Malcolm shouted, “Let go now!” and as hundreds ran cheering and crying, the Free Life leapt into the air, floating smoothly out over Accabonac Harbor up into the sky over Gardiner’s Bay. It was, all agreed, the most beautiful sight ever seen. Some 32 hours later, caught in a rogue storm somewhere off the coast of Newfoundland, unable to give exact coordinates due to a failure in their Loran system, Malcolm Brighton radioed Gander that the Free Life was ditching in a rough sea. He requested search-and-rescue and then signed off to prepare for “the safest possible landing.” Nothing was ever heard from the Free Life again. Nor was any debris or wreckage ever found. The Free Life and its crew had disappeared without a trace. We invite those who were there and those who would like to know more about this daring and historic adventure to “Remembering the Free Life,” at Ashawagh Hall from 4 to 6 p.m. on the 20th. A film made of the launch and news articles covering the event will be on display. GENIE CHIPPS HENDERSON Road Shows of 2015 Hampton Bays September 1, 2015 Dear David, This is to give a rousing cheer to the Parrish Art Museum for breaking out of its space and once again supporting artists off-site in the popular “Road Shows.” Two glorious Saturday evenings in August, I greeted guests as a docent; first in a grassy farm field on Deerfield Road in Water Mill, and then on the shore of Napeague at the Art Barge. Hundreds of people of all ages flocked to both to witness the site-specific work created by the artists Tucker Marder and Saskia Friedrich. I noted the smiles from the lucky people who made sure they were at the scenes. It was a “happening,” as we watched a flock of 200 crested ducks sashay back and forth beside giant wooden shapes that rolled across the field. Out at the barge, bright fabric stretched in the air inside a dome, and another giant shape floated on the water that shimmered with the dimming sunlight. These works seemed to cast a spell on the viewers, who looked relaxed and happy just being outside in the summertime. I spoke to many people who were first-timers at the old Navy structure that has been in place as an art school since 1960. Thanks to all the folks at the museum for putting on the shows, especially to Andrea Grover for producing and selecting the artists and for hunting down places that so many of us enjoyed. Kudos to Amy Kirwin and her team for making it all appear easy; it was not! And to the Marder family and Chris Kohan and the Art Barge board for offering the sites. For me, these evenings were dazzling. (The perfect weather cost a bit more, but made the openings memorable.) These “Road Shows” of 2015 were some high points of summer that spread art and joy as another gift to our East End community from the Parrish. IRENE TULLY Needs Correcting Springs September 4, 2015 Dear David, I sincerely appreciate Jennifer Landes’s insightful review of our current exhibition, “Elaine de Kooning Portrayed.” It’s always a pleasure to read her work. There is, however, one point that needs correcting. Jennifer credits Brandon Fortune, curator of “Elaine de Kooning Portraits” at the National Portrait Gallery, with the idea for the show. But it was Edvard Lieber, an artist, composer, filmmaker, and co-executor of Elaine’s estate, who proposed it. To quote from my catalog introduction, “Edvard came up with the inspired notion of a show that looks in the opposite direction: instead of Elaine’s views of others, others’ views of Elaine.” I am grateful for his contribution to every aspect of the project. All best, HELEN A. HARRISON Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw Director Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center Keeper of the Letters East Hampton September 1, 2015 Dear Dave, I’m writing this letter to praise Steve Boerner and Gina Piastuck from the East Hampton Library. The Long Island Collection at the East Hampton Library has been so helpful. Steve has been much of an encouragement to me while I finish writing my first book, “A Gift From the Attic.” The book is a collection of letters that we found buried in an old trunk in my mother’s attic after she passed away. The story tells of the Wood family’s everyday life during the years of 1945 and 1946, the simple way of life in the little hamlet of Springs. I find it amazing how in talking to Steve, we have developed a friendship and a bond, all started because Steve reached out to help me. What a great guy, that has the history of our town in a room at the library. I am pleased and honored that my mother’s letters will soon become part of this room and the Long Island Collection. My thanks to Steve, Gina, and the East Hampton Long Island Collection, the new keeper of the letters. Sincerely, EDIE LESTER Current Keeper of the Letters Lucky to Have Dell East Hampton September 4, 2015 Dear David, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly congratulate Dell Cullum on his most recent appointment and acceptance as president of the East Hampton Group for Wildlife. I first met Dell in January 2014 when a large group of concerned citizens rallied against the Village and Town of East Hampton in their proposed adoption of a major deer cull presented to them by the D.E.C. At that time, I became aware of his artistry in photography capturing the natural beauty and wildlife in our area. He created, with the help of a young aspiring film assistant, the beautiful and captivating video of our deer in their natural habitats that I watched over and again, many times, throughout that tense period. Fortunately, with his help and Bill Crain’s Group for Wildlife, along with over 300 local residents, we were able to convince our elected officials that this cull was not acceptable, and it was stopped. Dell has been working tirelessly on the current litter and trash issues that face our town and local beaches. I have watched him speak passionately to our town board about the need to act to stop the mess that is destroying the beauty in our hamlets and created by some of our local and out-of-town builders, visitors, and, yes, members of our town. Dell is the type of person who puts his time and effort behind that of which he speaks, by organizing successful cleanups on our beaches and roadways. You can view his videos about his quest for making our local officials aware of the problems, and what is not being done to correct these infractions, on our local LTV station. They are quite eye-opening! Dell has been recognized over the years and awarded honors as Amagansett’s Person of the Year in 2014 and named an Everyday Hero by Southampton’s Patch. If you are not familiar with Dell’s beautiful photography then I highly recommend visiting his website, Imagination Nature. He also is a wildlife specialist, and his company, Hampton Wildlife Removal and Rescue, deals with the humane capture and relocation of our furry friends that get themselves in situations that require his expertise and care. East Hampton Town is extremely lucky to have Dell on the side of everyday issues that affect our environment and wildlife preservation and safety. He is a talented, passionate, warm, and caring person, and I am so very pleased that he has accepted the position of president for the Group for Wildlife. Thank you, Dell Cullum! BETSY PETROSKI SMITH Salute to Bill Kampf Las Vegas September 6, 2015 To the Editor, Bill Kampf was a truly marvelous person with greatly appreciated craftsmanship skills. He expanded a very modest bungalow we owned with an additional 1,400 square feet for us in 2000, and it transformed our experience. His attention to detail and his true pride and joy in his work were evident throughout the six-month duration of the project. We were extremely satisfied with his vision. The result exceeded all our expectations. We salute you, Bill. BEVERLY LENNY and JOSEPH TOBIAS Strong Objection East Hampton September 3, 2015 To the Editor, I am writing to register my very strong objection to the concept of permitting food trucks to operate at Two Mile Hollow. According to The East Hampton Star’s Aug. 27 article titled “Food Trucks on the Menu?” the East Hampton Village Board is considering allowing vendors to sell food and beverages in the parking areas at the two beaches between March 16 and Dec. 1. The paper reported that Deputy Mayor Barbara Borsack proposed this idea as a means to “maximize the use of Two Mile Hollow,” because that beach and its large parking lot are lightly used. I am a longtime resident of East Hampton. I purchased my house on Maple Lane over 30 years ago, and one of the most cherished aspects of this home is the relative solitude of the beach at Two Mile Hollow. My family — including seven grandchildren — enjoys Two Mile Hollow exactly as it is. It is more peaceful and significantly quieter than Atlantic and Main Beach. We have the opportunity to really hear the waves, to focus on the shifting light, to bask in the breeze and walk along an unspoiled and truly natural place. Adding food trucks will create more noise, trash, and yes, more traffic and crowds. I’m not sure why anyone would view this as a positive. The parking lot may be lightly used, but that may be due to the fact that many beachgoers, including my grandchildren, prefer to bike to the beach whenever possible. If anything must be added to generate greater use of the Two Mile Hollow parking lot, perhaps we could start with additional bike racks to accommodate the many bicycles, rather than food trucks. We are so fortunate to live in this beautiful part of the country. For beachgoers who seek a beach with food options, there are several other options that offer a bustling scene and food service. Those of us who just want to enjoy the peace and solitude should have options as well. Please, let’s keep Two Mile Hollow as it is. ALICE TOBIAS The East Hampton Village Board of Trustees have tabled discussion on allowing food trucks at Two Mile Hollow and Georgica Beach, according to Rebecca Molinaro, the village administrator. Ed. Town Pond East Hampton August 27, 2015 Dear David, Has anyone noticed that Town Pond looks totally polluted and has been void of animal life for months now? What did the village do to our pond last year? Can anyone tell me? Why did they do this? LOIS WATTS Hook Pond Initiative East Hampton September 6, 2015 Dear David, Hopeful is how I would describe Suffolk County legislation funding a project addressing Hook Pond and the Town Pond degrading water quality. Hook Pond has been in a struggle for years to maintain the water quality necessary to support the pond’s ecosystem. These funds, now granted to begin a long-term initiative restoring the water quality of the Hook Pond watershed, also raise our community’s awareness. This is a project in which we must all participate. As residents, we can better manage the wastewater discharges from our homes and the chemicals we use outdoors. As a community, we take great pride in the natural beauty of the environment in which we live. Now is the time for all of us to join the village’s leadership in working toward a secure future for these natural resources. LINDA JAMES Mass-Marketed Montauk September 1, 2015 To the Editor, Home is where your heart is. For many of us, home is Montauk. I’m willing to forgo the “us versus them” mentality and extend this “us” to include those who are not only born and bred here for generations, but those who are transplants. I also extend this “us” to those who visit annually because the magnetic draw pulls them to this special place year after year. Like all of “us,” my heart lies in Montauk, and, like all of “us,” my heart was broken this morning. My mom walks our dogs on Navy Road every morning, year round. On Tuesday morning, she just so happened to come upon a huge mess — a mess unlike any other. Copious amounts of food, trash, utensils, and half-drunk cups of beer, a keg, unopened bottles of rosé, and even a beer pong table, to name just a few of the items on sordid display left to be cleaned up later. Disgusted does not do justice to how I was feeling Tuesday. To find out that it was left by the Ruschmeyer’s staff party and the Sussmans is even more disheartening. Montauk is more popular than ever. It is being packaged and mass-marketed by people like the Sussmans, who have recently made hollow generic statements in a New York Times article about how “living this close to beautiful beaches is a solid way to spend the summer.” Yes, it is “solid.” The beaches would remain beautiful if everyone who claimed to love Montauk treated this special place with respect. To my fellow sincere lovers of Montauk, I urge you to be proactive in our community. We all have issues that we would like addressed. I know that we can come together and find practical solutions. To Max and Eli Sussman, I believe that I am speaking for the Montauk community, for those of us who call this beautiful place home, when I say how utterly disappointing you are. Your feeble attempt at an apology on your Instagram photos means nothing. Your actions paint you for who you are and what you represent. I cannot stress enough how happy we will be to see you go, and hope that Ruschmeyer’s can find a more suitable replacement for you in the future. KELSEY EDWARDES The Stepford Board East Hampton September 7, 2015 Dear Mr. Rattray, I have been pinching myself over the last several months because I have agreed so often with many of your editorials. I agree with you that this town board needs to plan, with intelligence and decisiveness, how to handle the serious issues that will once again plague East Hampton in 2016. Unfortunately, I don’t think the board is up to the task. If you watch the town board meetings it is astonishing that so little discussion and questioning take place. The board’s almost nonexistent curiosity about issues they are dealing with is troubling. Yes, they are all dressed very nattily with lovely shirts and ties and such, and everyone gets along so splendidly, but one gets the feeling there is no there, there. Kind of like a Stepford board. Perhaps there is little discussion or curiosity because the board has discussed and come to its conclusions behind the scenes. As you noted some months back, in an editorial I cheered, Mr. Rattray, this board needs to follow the Open Meetings Law. Too much, we both suspect, goes on behind closed doors out of sight of the board’s bosses, the taxpayers, and in flagrant violation of state law. As to no “there, there,” the out-of-control situation in Montauk, as you rightly allude to in your editorial, is areat example. A recent FOIL request to the town yielded an astonishing fact. The number of summonses issued for public urination and public consumption of open alcohol was drastically reduced during the two years of the Cantwell administration. In the years 2012 and 2013 (the Wilkinson administration), 177 and 180 summonses, respectively, were written for the months of June, July, and August. The first year of the Stepford board, 2014, for the same time period there was a reduction to 95 summonses. This year, 2015 data were gleaned from June and July and only 9 summonses were written. These data for 2015 were before the public demanded the Stepford board “do something” about Montauk. Obviously, there was not even a smidgen of planning for summer 2015. Indeed, there appears not to have been any management oversight at all for Montauk. What do they do all day at Town Hall? The incompetence is unacceptable. Public employees, elected officials, school boards and staff, indeed all municipalities exist to serve the public, the taxpayers who pay their salaries, fringe benefits, and pensions. If a town board cannot address a problem they know is coming one year in advance, they need to be replaced with people who can do that task. Voters, you need to demand the absolute best from all public employees, candidates, and elected officials. Never forget, public employees and elected officials use and play with your money each and every day. Taxpayers, when you hire a contractor, let’s say a plumber, and he comes into your home and does work for you, are you laissez-faire about his performance? Hell no! You want the best for your money. Well, your elected officials and public employees are no different than that plumber you hire. As you expect and demand the best from your contractors so you should from your public officials. Heck, you are paying way more for them than you will ever pay for a plumber or electrician, even in East Hampton. Demand the best. You are paying for it and, most important, you deserve it. Sincerely, CAROLE CAMPOLO Vision and Leadership Springs September 6, 2015 Dear David, A few weeks ago I listened to Paul Goldberger talk about a story he wrote for Vanity Fair magazine some 30 years ago, in which he predicted the strangling of a resort. That resort was our very own East Hampton, and his predictions have come true. We are being strangled, and we who live here and have been shaking our heads all summer, see the abuses that have multiplied and morphed into the deplorable present state of affairs. How did we get where we are today from that East Hampton of 30 years ago? Lack of vision, lack of leadership, and lots of greed with a capital “G” on the part of many, many people — one transgression heaped upon another. The airport is a prime example of these excesses. So who is the responsible party who accepted and was wooed by the Federal Aviation Administration to accept grant assurances that don’t expire till 2026? Really! While administrations of both parties of the past didn’t always see and understand what was happening, the last administration knew what they were doing. Remember the Ronjo incident in Montauk? When the present administration took office, their plate was so full it was a wonder it didn’t crack from the weight. Slowly and methodically it has begun to clear that plate, with some problems being very, very complex and that will need more time to correct. However, there have been successes, which are too numerous to enumerate now. But one I must shout from the highest rooftop happened last Thursday night, when the town board used the community preservation fund to purchase acres of land in the most densely populated area of our town, my beloved Springs. There have been other offers put out by town using the fund that will provide, if accepted, significantly more open space in Springs. You can’t understand what this means in real terms unless you figure how many half-acre, single-family residences will now not be built on those forever-open acres. The math will be staggering. Many fewer septic systems pouring nitrogen and other pollutants into our sole-source aquifer, otherwise known as the water you drink. And we will not have their accompanying lawns, many laden with poisons. So we salute the town board for their vision and leadership. Keep at it, guys! Sincerely, PHYLLIS ITALIANO Access to the Beach Amagansett September 2, 2015 Dear Editor, I was reading Nicholas Kristof’s editorial “This Land Is Our Land” in the Aug. 30 edition of The New York Times. He was extoling the enjoyment of his recent vacation hiking a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail in central California. Several passages jumped out to grab my attention. He says of the trail, “And it’s all my land! Of course, it’s also your land. It’s our extraordinary national inheritance, one of the greatest gifts of our ancestors — our public lands.” How true, and it struck home with an issue near and dear to me. We on the East End of Long Island are very much aware of these gifts. A perfect example is our public beaches. I spent this past Saturday and Sunday, as I do most summer weekends, on the ocean at Napeague. We were surrounded by my family members, friends, and families with young children. I saw many neighbors, volunteer firefighters, volunteer ambulance people, police officers, teachers, and others who work and live here year round. All were enjoying a cherished tradition being carried forward and now being fought for to continue. That is, the right to access to the beach. Mr. Kristof also states, “At a time when so much else in America is rationed by price, egalitarianism thrives in the wilderness. On the trail, no one can pull rank on you — except a grizzly bear.” Substitute analogies for beaches and this is so appropriate for the Hamptons. Only the very wealthy can afford to own oceanfront (or most other waterfront) property. So it is imperative we continue to protect the right of public access to our beaches. Gratefully we have organizations like CfAR, L.I. Surfcasters, and the Surfriders Association, among others, fighting to protect public access. Also, the East Hampton Town Trustees here, and our neighbors the Southampton Town Trustees, who govern most beaches and other public lands, are battling to keep beach access open to the public. Please keep this in mind when you head to the polls in the upcoming election. Vote for the candidates who support public access rights for our beaches. We have proven advocates such as Diane McNally, the current clerk of the trustees. She’s getting my vote, I hope she gets yours too. Sincerely, MARGERY COURTNEY A Second Term Amagansett September 1, 2015 Dear David, My name is Brian Byrnes. A student of trustee history, I know what a battle it has been to maintain the health and quality of East Hampton waters and its shellfish industry. I am completing my first term as an East Hampton trustee, having been elected in 2013 on the Democratic and Independence Party lines. My wife, Kathy, and I have lived in East Hampton for many years and have four sons, three of whom were raised in East Hampton. We are deeply committed to our community. I make it a point to get involved as much as possible, whether as a member of the East Hampton Disability Advisory Board or a volunteer for the East Hampton Food Pantry. One of my greatest passions is my love for the water and the ever-changing coastline, which has brought me to be an avid follower and active in the trustee work to protect these resources. I am a proud member of the Amagansett Fire Department. I feel that my local knowledge and commitment to trustee affairs will serve the people of East Hampton well as I seek a second term as your trustee. BRIAN BYRNES Please Vote for Me East Hampton September 4, 2015 Dear David, I’m looking forward to the results of the primary election tonight after the polls close. I hope to win the endorsement of my party, the Independence Party. I grew up in Montauk, live in East Hampton, and raised my children here. I am a business owner and a longtime volunteer for many different organizations here in town. Through my business, I donate alarm systems and services to local charities and people in need. I am a dedicated citizen and care deeply about our citizens and every issue that confronts our community. I was unable to screen with the local Independence Party due to my late nomination. They have endorsed two people who are not in our party, thus the primary. They claim that the two candidates I am running against have made “significant progress” on all fronts concerning issues in our town. With all due respect, I totally disagree. For more information on me, please visit my website at lisamulhernlarsen. com. Please vote for me today! LISA MULHERN-LARSEN Get Out and Vote East Hampton September 4, 2015 To the Editor, Today, Sept. 10, is the primary for the Independence Party. Please get out and vote! It’s time to make a change and shake things up on our town board. While they are, for the most part, doing a nice job, there are still some areas where they are falling woefully behind. Why does it take an election year to see action from our town board? Lisa Mulhern-Larsen has some great ideas and I know she will not let issues just slide away once the election is over. Lisa is a local and is invested in our community. She is not a politician and will not simply vote on issues according to party policy. Let’s do some good for our town and vote for Lisa Mulhern-Larsen for town board as an Independence Party member. JACQUELINE DUNPHY Struck by a Tree Limb Springs September 7, 2015 Dear David, While driving on Springs-Fireplace Road on Sunday, Aug. 31, our Toyota Camry was struck by a huge tree limb. Our car was wrecked, and we, fortunately, went unscathed. The tree limb covered both lanes. The next day we went back to look and found the limb had been sawn into three large pieces. We noticed, after looking carefully, that the limb was hollow, although the tree appeared to be fine. What is the Town of East Hampton doing to cut off all limbs that are hanging over our main roads? We now are sufficiently scared! SUZANNE SYLVOR Charging the Employees Bayport September 3, 2015 To the Editor: For years, East Hampton Town has delighted in charging individual employees or managers of companies doing business in East Hampton. Even though Justice Lisa Rana has excoriated the town attorney for doing so, East Hampton Town has been adamant that they will continue to “pierce the corporate veil” and charge individual employees. Justice Rana allowed this nonsense to continue. This practice inconveniences individual employees and businesses, and the town delights in the town justice forcing individuals to come back on a weekly basis for bogus “health and safety” court dates, meant only to intimidate the individuals into pleading to get out from under the stupid system. In the Chamber of Commerce meeting this July with Supervisor Cantwell and Chief Sarlo, I made the request that they stop this stupid and illegal action of charging individual employees. Sarlo refused, indicating it was too difficult to serve the corporations correctly, and lawyers would get the companies out from under proper service. I said that sounded like urban legend. Now, Jay Jacobs’s employees get charged rather than the Hampton Country Day Camp L.L.C. owning the houses used for one of Jay’s camps. The town folds, and the town agrees to the request to change the defendants from the individuals to the L.L.C. without trying to extort some kind of plea agreement (as he did with every other defendant over the last two years). The contrast, to those in the know, is startling. LARRY KELLY Running Hog-Wild Montauk September 3, 2015 Editor: For the past three years, parking at what is now the Surf Lodge has been a major inconvenience and a possible life-threatening situation. When Montauk residents complained, East Hampton claimed there was nothing it could do because Edgemere was a county road. It took 500 pissed-off residents at the firehouse to get East Hampton to pick up the phone to the county. Case closed. Taxis in Montauk are running hog-wild. Illegal U-turns, speeding, blowing through stop signs, and cutting people off are the norm. The reason there are so many cabs in town is because they are allowed to gouge people. If zones were set up and maps were mandatory in all vehicles, with a number to call regarding complaints, the majority of these carpetbaggers would disappear. Containers for beach fires is a half-assed idea at best. People will still dump the mess in the sand and there is no guarantee the coals will be extinguished. Why not have a simple permit for beach fires? This way, knowing their names are on file, people would be more apt to see that the fires are properly extinguished and not leave the beach a mess. The town would also make a few dollars. If you patronize the 7-Eleven, don’t cry to me about how the town has changed. You can’t have it both ways. GEORGE WATSON Aircraft Noise Pollution East Hampton September 6, 2015 Dear David, The summer of 2015 has proven to be the worst for aircraft noise pollution. Along with my friends and neighbors of the East End, we held high hopes that implementing a curfew would help with noise abatement. Although disappointed by this one rule passed by the town, a curfew was at least a start in the right direction. Not surprisingly, the mandated airport curfew proved, nearly from the beginning, to be ineffectual and often unenforceable, as rogue pilots disregarded the new law. I know this because we were awakened either too early or in the middle of the night by loud and low-altitude aircraft over our home. The curfew is not enough to remedy the problem of aircraft noise pollution. Limiting specific aircraft that may use the airport is. Maintaining, not expanding, the airport is paramount if we are to succeed in our quest for quieter skies for all East End residents. The imposed curfew schedule doesn’t end early enough so that residents may enjoy their homes. Most people are asleep when the 11 p.m. curfew finally comes. Our weekends, precious and too few during the summer, have been marred and ruined by the horrific noise of helicopters, seaplanes, jets, and turbo piston prop planes from far too early in the morning to far too late at night. The residents of the East End deserve to be able to rest and sleep on the weekends without aircraft noise assault from commuters hurrying to arrive to their Hamptons summer get-away-from-it-all rental or second home. This summer East Hampton Airport saw a proliferation of several new taxi-commuter helicopter, seaplane, and jet services to and from the Hamptons. As a result, more residents were negatively impacted by the noise pollution. Pilots did not always adhere to suggested routes, and that meant many aircraft flew over residences never before impacted. In some instances we watched aircraft circling, waiting to land, the skies were so crowded. Why do we allow aircraft noise pollution to destroy the peace and quiet of our neighbors on Shelter Island and the North Fork for years, when clearly there is no benefit to either community? Our neighbors should not suffer because we have decided to let the aviation community impose their will on us. Our neighbors in Southampton are inundated with noise pollution over their homes as well. This is morally wrong. My own experience this summer was abysmal. Daily I attempted to work in my home office. I made note of each loud and low-flying aircraft, one by one, minute by minute. The incessant noise pollution made my work impossible to accomplish. A deadline came and went. I was unable to properly concentrate, and therefore unproductive in my work. Every day and night was disrupted with aircraft rumbling over our home. And so, it continues, unrelenting. Nevertheless, at day’s end, I opened the town website and faithfully filled out the questionnaire prepared by PlaneNoise for each offending aircraft over our home. The director and solo owner of PlaneNoise is Robert Grotel. Mr. Grotel is also, conveniently, a member of the Eastern Region Helicopter Council. How fair is it that the powerful E.R.H.C. and a member of the organization whose job it is to record noisy aircraft complaints are joined to “assist” the town in noise abatement? Isn’t this arrangement between E.R.H.C. and PlaneNoise akin to the wolf guarding the chicken coop? We all know how wars are won: wear the enemy down. Deplete them of resources and block the opponent at every opportunity. In our case it is frivolous litigation by the lobbyist group in D.C. and special-interest groups seeking profit. The aviation community is beating down the public by holding our town hostage in litigation. This is our town, our community, and our home! We must stand up and fight for our town and homes or lose everything we love about the East End forever. To that end we must be indefatigable and not capitulate to strong-arm tactics. It is important to understand that the public is tired of complaining, especially as the aircraft noise pollution has only increased over years past. Perhaps most significant is that people feel there is no hope. Without hope people wither and throw up their hands. Why bother to send in reports if there is no substantive and meaningful relief? However, the absence of thousands of complaints does not mean the noise pollution has disappeared or lessened. The facts clearly prove a hefty increase in aircraft traffic this year. Aircraft noise pollution is a growing, not diminishing problem for the residents of the East End. Is it any wonder people may feel discouraged and may have given up reporting aircraft offenses? The airport manager, Jemille Charlton, has publicly suggested in a local newspaper that additional hangars be erected, as business is burgeoning. Proof that aircraft traffic is growing and with it, disruptive noise pollution. Mr. Charlton is suggesting the airport needs to, and should, expand to accommodate the various new aircraft taxi commuter services, etc. Expansion is precisely what our town airport should avoid. Other than profit, there is no plausible need to expand East Hampton Airport. Profit is the only thing the aviation community and lobbyists care about. The only people who care our about communities on the East End are the residents and town leaders. East Hampton is our hometown. It does not belong to the lobbyists and bullies of Washington, D.C., or the mighty but deaf Federal Aviation Administration. If we permit expansion to accommodate the new aviation businesses, we do so at the ruination of the East End of Long Island forever. A few weeks ago, trying to work from my desk at home, I recorded 48 (48!) low-altitude and noisy aircraft over our home. They came from the east and west and north and south and we had no peace. I began recording the aircraft before 7 a.m., in violation of the curfew, and finally, at 8 p.m., I shut every window in the house and turned on classical music. We missed an evening of the sounds of summer at night — the frogs, cicadas, birds chirping, and the vision of the moonrise. Our neighbors have installed an indoor-outdoor stereo system and suggested we do the same to help diminish the noise of incessant aircraft. I ask you, is this the only remedy available for those of us who are tired of the harassment of incessant aircraft noise pollution? I have written to Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. I have called their offices. My efforts have been futile, as neither office responds. Residents of the East End have an extraordinary and precious legacy to protect; no sum of money can buy it back. Its value has no numerical figure. It is the right to live in peace and quiet in our homes in one of the most magnificent areas of the world. We call it “home.” Respectfully, SUSAN McGRAW KEBER Alternate Universes Amagansett September 3, 2015 To the Editor: I was very encouraged by the town board’s appointment of a Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan advisory committee, with five members who appear to have strong environmental credentials. This was East Hampton Town at its best, mindful of the needs of future generations as well as present citizens, for enduring beaches and primary dunes behind them. Contrast the political flap over the South Flora Nature Preserve. The nature preserve committee seems to be as political as the new L.W.R.P. committee promises to be reasoned and fair. One member wrote to the town board that she vocally opposed in the committee’s South Flora deliberations “the use of the word ‘political’ as reason for decision making . . . politics has no place in decision-making on the committee whatsoever.” East Hampton Republican Party vice chairman Reg Cornelia is an active and vocal committee member, and that party has already run a campaign ad accusing the “Democratic Town Board” of banning South Flora parking. As a town resident (and voter) livingust feet away from South Flora, I feel as if I live in two alternate universes at once, that of the L.W.R.P. committee and that of the nature preserve committee. Here is a modest proposal for merging those universes: As one of the first agenda items for the new committee, why not ask it to review the draft South Flora Management Plan for consistency with the L.W.R.P.? The sole purpose of the parking included in the South Flora draft plan is to drive more pedestrian traffic across a badly scarred and eroded primary dune within the preserve. The nature preserve committee skipped that issue, but I am pretty certain the L.W.R.P. committee would be very attentive to it. JONATHAN WALLACE Obama and Netanyahu East Hampton September 5, 2015 Dear David, It is refreshing, and frankly surprising, that you published David Saxe’s cleverly written but spot-on “Guestwords” article, “The Call.” I say surprising because one hardly ever sees anything in The Star that is remotely critical of our soon-to-be-retired president, Mr. Obama, or that is not unduly critical of and harsh with respect to Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel. Mr. Saxe hit the nail on the head in lampooning the unbelievably naive actions of our president, while at the same time recognizing both Mr. Netanyahu’s wisdom and realpolitik understanding of the Munich-like Iran surrender. Feeling as he clearly must about both players, Mr. Saxe is to be commended not only for his wit, but also for the restraint he showed in describing a buffoon and a statesman. I am sure you have no doubt about who is the buffoon and who is the statesman. I also have no doubt that the usual array of Obama/Democrat/Hillary sycophants and Israel-bashers will raise their collective heads, voices, and pens to damn both Mr. Saxe for his column and me for this letter. SHELDON PALMER A Certain Politician Montauk September 2, 2015 Dear David, Not so long ago in our collective historical past, a certain politician promised to restore his nation to its former position of greatness. He pledged to exorcise those foreign immigrant and domestic elements that he claimed engendered economic distress, unemployment, crime, and moral decadence. He promised to revise his nation’s constitution to revoke citizenship for those he deemed unworthy of citizenship. He pledged to solve immigration questions and citizenship qualifications by a complete and final solution. He claimed to speak for those whose voices were not heard by the democratically elected representatives in the government, and he promised that the singularity of his will, intellect, and superior knowledge would lead to a new and cleansed society. In January 1933, he was appointed Chancellor of the Weimar Republic. Cheers, BRIAN POPE Our Education System East Hampton September 6, 2015 To the Editor: A recent story about the attempt of the liberal Corey Booker, the conservative Chris Christie, and the money guy Mark Zuckerberg to redesign a piece of the Newark school system is a perfect example of the malaise that is affecting the country. Throwing money at a problem and using a business model to operate a school system are the standard failed liberal-conservative M.O.s. Belief that one can isolate a social issue as large as public education and create a national model requires a massive dose of ego and an exceptionally brain-dead rich man. Not that they shouldn’t be praised for trying. But how can people who have lived in the world of politics and social issues remain so insistently clueless and obtuse? It’s like there’s no learning curve in play (what is education about if not learning?). Zero consciousness about the depth and complications of the issue. An elementary school principal told me in 1968 that virtually anyone could teach a class with fewer than 15 kids in it. Skills were needed as the class size grew, and teaching 25 or 30 kids required a master teacher. Of course, the infrastructure didn’t exist for small class sizes, and the money to compensate the teachers was not available. Make do with what you have was his motto, not by choice. The complexity of a school system is so profound that isolating the pieces like teacher performance or test scores serves no purpose. How we integrate families, jobs, housing, etc., all weigh heavily on whether or not a school system functions well. The model we need is a national model that integrates the nation’s aspirations with the tools it takes to realize them. The best example of the state of our education system is visible in the state of our infrastructure. The simplest political problem that we have is our deteriorated infrastructure. Yet, despite the bipartisan understanding of the problem we remain paralyzed in solving it. Once again the condition of castrated white men worried about their offspring rears its ugly head. If we can’t fix tunnels and bridges we are essentially useless. Zuckerberg appears to have learned from the experience. He is trying something in California working and listening to local schools to try and improve a difficult situation. Christy and Booker can’t be salvaged because our political system has no accountability. Is it Christy and Booker who need to be dumped or does our system no longer work, no longer capable of dealing with problems on any level? Exceptional, only in our own minds. NEIL HAUSIG I Told You So East Hampton September 5, 2015 Dear Editor, Every once in awhile it does one good to say, I told you so. This is such a time. Seven and a half years ago, the unemployment rate in the country was over 8 percent and we were losing 600,000 jobs a month to countries overseas. Then that horrible Democratic regime took over the government, and its leader, that black, racist, communist, radically foreign-born union worker from Chicago, started to destroy the country. He changed everything. He caused racial divides, he refused to continue wars, he favored a dialogue about same-sex marriage, he gave women an opportunity to get equal pay (imagine that), and he and his family became the butt of jokes around the country. So this morning, I read that the unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest rate in seven and a half years, and the economy added 170,000 new jobs, and there seems to be a halt in Iran’s movement toward a nuclear weapon, and the country has its first health bill ever, and all the money in the world is coming to the U.S. to be invested. Sooooo? What a disaster! Tongue out! RICHARD P. HIGER
Published 4 years ago
Last updated 4 years ago
Letters to the Editor: 09.10.15
September 10, 2015