Maestro of the Feast Sagaponack October 9, 2015 To the Editor, Like most people, I was so saddened and shocked to hear about Anna Pump’s shocking and violent passing. But, as I have read the articles and obituaries for Anna, I feel like something is being somehow unsaid. Anna and her family are an institution in Bridgehampton. Her little country shack on Sagg Main is not just a depot of delicacies. Anna served up the very taste of summer — the promise of good times, where a picnic lunch can become an event. Glasses will raise. Aromas will waft. Anna created an emotional adhesive to a lifetime of family camaraderie and friendly connectivity hidden in her curry chicken, blanched broccoli, cold sesame noodles, and, of course, her lobster salad. Anna and her little shop fed my family not every day, but on the best days, when honeysuckle wafted through the balmy summer air and gentle winds blew. For my father and mother, a Loaves and Fishes lunch was special. Everything tasted a little bit better. Every scent seemed a little bit bigger. An extra baguette would always be purchased to be torn into on the way home. Anna Pump was Martha Stewart before there was a Martha Stewart. Anna was a maestro of the feast. A giver of delicious. She also gave me my first well-paying job. During my college summer breaks in the early 1980s I worked for Loaves and Fishes as a server and bartender when she catered weddings. I got to see firsthand how she, through the sheer power of her will and taste, produced lasting memories for myriad brides and grooms. I got to work those weddings because of Anna, but I also got to see how something was supposed to be done right. Not good. Not perfect. Not fast. Just right. Anna made thing right. She’s gone now. Taken too suddenly. Her empire passed along to her children and grandchildren of her loving family. Yet, for me and so many others, things will never be as right. ALEC SOKOLOW Crosswalks East Hampton October 8, 2015 To the Editor, Perhaps now that another wonderful person has been killed, traffic lights can be installed at crosswalks. Drivers are often texting, talking on cellphones, or just not paying close enough attention to pedestrians walking at crosswalks. If not traffic lights, perhaps crossing guards, as they exist at school crossings. Very disturbing situation. Indeed, pedestrians have to be very cautious, but drivers must take responsibility to be aware of people walking on the roads. LINDA KAYE Bright Lights Springs October 9, 2015 Dear David, There was another death in our community in which I believe a contributing factor was that the driver was likely distracted by bright glare projected into the roadway by mis-aimed and unshielded floodlights. This may have been the case at the Bridgehampton Post Office and the death of Anna Pump. When bright lights are in the line of sight, a driver’s eyes are diverted toward the light, away from the roadway. Myself and others have tried over the years to convince the post office to shield or re-aim its floodlights, to no avail. As a trained lighting designer, I even gave the postmaster a selection of fixtures that would have saved them energy and possibly saved the life of a respected member of our community. The Village of East Hampton has prepared an updated outdoor lighting law to meet professional recommendations that will result in better night vision. As long as the light levels on the ground meet professional recommendations for foot-candle measurements and uniformity ratios, the lighting will be safe. All the localities on the East End, and for Suffolk County facilities, there is a cap on the Kelvin (the percentage of blue light waves in a light source) at 3,000. This still has a very blue-white appearance and is far above the 2,700 Kelvin that we are accustomed to in our traditional incandescent lighting. However, there are those who want to have an unnecessarily high cap of 3,500. The higher the Kelvin, the greater the contribution to sky glow, the greater the impact on flora and fauna, and the greater the impact on human health because blue light waves suppress melatonin and disrupt circadian rhythms. And, importantly, high Kelvin is not good for night vision; it decreases the size of the aperture in the human eye, letting in less light, and, for older eyes, the glare is much worse. The Town of East Hampton recently reviewed all the relevant factual information about this issue and concluded that the limit cap should be 3,000 Kelvin. The village would benefit from the same. SUSAN HARDER Henning Mankell Springs October 11, 2015 Dear David, Henning Mankell died this week at the age of 67. He was one of my favorite authors. I feel a personal loss, like losing an old friend. Mankell, who was Swedish, wrote novels and mysteries in the Nordic tradition. There was a great sense of place and time to his work. Nature and seasons and geography filled his story; you could feel the cold sea and feel surrounded by water and weather and light, or lack of it. He lived in Europe as well as Africa, and both continents influenced his writing. His novels were at times charming, and at times harsh, usually about life decisions that influence and affect forever. His mysteries were just the best! Everyone knows Kurt Wallander, Mankell’s depressed and sometimes prickly, frenetic, and emotionally exhausted detective who solves crimes in the cold and has a bleak personal life. In film, the character has been portrayed in Swedish by Krister Henriksson and in English by Kenneth Branagh. Mankell was married to Ingmar Bergman’s daughter. I shall miss him, and I shall miss his work. If anyone has not read Henning Mankell, he is a delight. We have both movies and most of his books in the East Hampton Library. He is a Swedish national treasure whom we have been able to enjoy through translation. I think I may just have to start rereading him. Pensively, BETSY RUTH ‘The Alliance’ Not Us East Hampton October 12, 2015 Dear Editor, Over the past several weeks, letters have been written to the Star editor that have painted a much distorted picture of what the East Hampton Sportsmen’s Alliance (East HamptonSA) is truly about. “The Alliance” referred to is not us! We are a group of responsible sportsmen/women. East HamptonSA has been a registered, New York State, not-for-profit L.L.C. for over four years. Our membership is comprised exclusively of East Hampton Town residents and/or land owners, no one else. Our members are local parents, skilled professionals, tradesmen, brothers, sisters, lawyers, law enforcement personnel, public officials, volunteer fire and ambulance personnel, etc. Some of our members have up to 12 generations of family history here. Being a legitimate New York State L.L.C., we have bylaws, a mission statement, and a code of ethics. We sponsor a “Take-aKid Fishing” trip annually (all kids paid for by East HamptonSA). We do an outdoor sports expo annually (free admission to all). We do waterfowl area cleanups. We are in the process of setting up an osprey tower, venison dinners, fish dinners. We have clay pigeon “Fun Shoots” for young and adult, free professionally guided youth wild turkey and waterfowl shoots. We donate to Wounded Warriors, and we have been a part of the East Hampton Town deer management plan development process from day one, and that’s not all. During the development of the town’s deer management plan, East HamptonSA accepted including nonlethal methods to help stem the growth of our local deer herd if the plan met all New York State Department of Environmental Conservation requirements and seemed respectful to the welfare of the animals. Keep in mind, the D.E.C. insists that lethal herd culling (hunting) must remain in place. Hunting is first and foremost and nonlethal methods cannot be the only or primary means of deer herd control. East HamptonSA was never opposed to an animal rights group being represented on the deer management committee. East HamptonSA has donated money to the East Hampton 4-Poster program. We are conservationists; we see the empirical evidence of what our recent deer population has done to the habitat available to them. Our membership is dedicated to our mission statement, which is to help preserve local, traditional outdoor activities such as fishing, shellfishing, boating, sport/target shooting, hunting, and responsible conservation. Respectfully, STEVE GRIFFITHS President Place Was Packed East Hampton October 9, 2015 To the Editor, So, last Tuesday after work the hurricane was well off shore and the weather was great, so I took a ride out to Montauk Point. I went to Camp Hero, the parking lot on the bluffs to the right, overlooking the ocean, and I couldn’t believe it: The place was packed! I realized it was mostly surfers. I found a spot and wedged my motorcycle between a couple of cars. I saw this surfer dude coming back to his car. He was adjusting and tugging on his wetsuit, about to grab his board. So I asked him, “How’s the surf?” And he says, “Firing! Man, it’s firing!” Well. Who knew? RICK O’NEILL Love the Life Amagansett October 5, 2015 Dear Mr. Rattray, Summer comes crashing to a halt so suddenly. It was 82 degrees and sunny when I jumped into the ocean a week ago, and when I came out it was 50, the wind howling, sand pelting my legs. But those balmy, intoxicating days aren’t what I miss most about summer. It’s those little planes dragging giant banners back and forth above our East End beaches that I long for. “Get Your Sloppy On!” What a wonderful idea for a summer night — head out to Sloppy Tuna in Montauk with friends and loved ones, get wasted, drive home with one eye open. Also ubiquitous in our friendly skies this season: Farrell Building Company’s “Live the Life” banner, suggesting — actually, demanding — that all of us basking below in the sun’s shining light could have a better life if we lived in a fine home from Farrell Building Company! It’s hard to deny the happiness that a 7,000-square-foot residence with six en suite master bedrooms, media room, gym, wet bar, dry bar, sloppy bar, heated lap pool with his and her pool houses could bring. I must admit, Mr. Rattray, that after seeing the “Live the Life” banner four times a day for 30 days, Mary and I began to question our happiness. Did we‚ do we‚ have enough of what we really need? Our house is little more than 2,000 square feet. Where could one of us go if we needed a little “alone time”? And if the Clintons came to visit in August, would they have the privacy they require for themselves and their security people? What did our neighbors think of us? By late July I could sense a growing dissatisfaction with our so-called “life.” Turkey burgers on a charcoal grill, summer corn, endless bottles of chardonnay, and inappropriate levels of laughter with 40 of our closest friends; suddenly that all seemed so hollow and meaningless. I stopped shaving and cutting my toenails. To prevent any further plummeting of my psyche Mary suggested we consider putting our house on the market and taking the “Leap of Life” to a Farrell Building Company residence, to which I began jumping up and down, clapping and shouting, “Oh, yay. Can we, can we, can we?” But after getting three different appraisals on our house we realized that, evenifwesoldatthetopendofabidding war, there would only be enoug money to purchase a “Live the Life” two-car garage. Do you know what that kind of realization feels like, Mr. Rattray? Do you really know? A deeper sadness engulfed me. I stopped bathing and began to walk around Amagansett Square at night in my pajamas. Where were we going to find $8.9 million to, finally, start living? Friends have suggested Kickstarter or GoFundMe as a possibility, but others have expressed doubts about our qualifications, both conceptually and financially. Our recent yard sale netted only $290.50. I would appreciate any assistance in solving this dilemma. And Mary has promised to consider returning home if I clip my toenails and shower again. Thank you in advance. But that’s not why I’m writing, Mr. Rattray. There are matters of equal if not greater importance than my own selfish needs. (Please don’t argue, even if you don’t agree.) I’m writing to express my appreciation and respect for the letter appearing in last week’s Star written by Kevin McAllister of Defend H2O. Mr. McAllister has been one of many knowledgable and passionate opponents of the 3,100-foot sandbag revetment that is scheduled to be installed into the beachfront in Montauk, with work starting in just a matter of days. This ill-conceived “erosion prevention” plan has had, to my great disappointment, the tacit support of our East Hampton Town Board, fortified by the hollow endorsement of the Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. McAllister, Defend H2O, the Surfrider Foundation, and other groups have decried this cosmetic surgery for what it is destined to be — shoreline washout following the first major storm and tidal surge, laying bare a trail of plastic sandbags the length of 10 football fields. I applaud him and all of those fighting to prevent this unprecedented plunder of our historic beachfront. If it were possible to form a 3,100-foot human chain in the path of this destruction, I’d step in line. Hard to believe, isn’t it? Love the life you live. LYLE GREENFIELD Consequences East Hampton October 10, 2015 Dear Mr. Rattray: It is well known that the board of trustees was established by a colonial patent and continues to represent the original government of East Hampton. However, in this election year, there are candidates for town trustees who have made it clear they do not support the unique historic role of the board. They are trying to convince the community our local waterways are deteriorating because the current trustees do not “recognize” other levels of government. The fact is the trustees have been striving to keep waterways navigable and productive in spite of other governmental entities’ lack of funding and resources or misunderstanding of our needs. I wish to make everyone aware there could be unintended negative consequences should the board of trustees relinquish their autonomy to any town, county, state, or federal agency. It is not an action to be undertaken lightly or without an understanding of those consequences. Please vote for those candidates who will continue to respect the history of East Hampton and understand what a valuable asset the Dongan Patent is to our community. Sincerely, DIANE E. McNALLY Ms. McNally is an East Hampton Town trustee seeking re-election on the Republican Party line. Ed. Disgusting Attitude Amagansett October 11, 2015 Dear Editors: I attended the Republican meet-and-greet at the Shagwong in Montauk on Oct. 7. I brought a photo of a woman peeing on a Napeague beach, and asked the candidates what they intended to do about the unsanitary conditions there. Diane McNally not only barked at me but said that peeing on the beach was acceptable (“Where else are they going to go?”), that peeing in the ocean was even more acceptable. That is a positively disgusting attitude from someone who is supposed to be a guardian of some of East Hampton’s coastline. She most certainly does not have my vote on Election Day. CINDI CRAIN Clean Up Our Waters East Hampton October 12, 2015 David, After a summer filled with ponds full of with blue-green algae and the news today of the closing of 20 more acres of Accabonac Harbor to shellfishing, the time is long past to aggressively clean up our waters. The trustees have got to take a leadership role and get the cleanup started. They have to start interacting and coordinating with other governmental agencies and citizens groups to get the cleanup moving. Myself and the other candidates running on the Democratic and Independence Party tickets will, on day one, apply for and obtain permits to dredge Georgica Pond and to clean out the culvert in Accabonac Harbor. We will interact with all other levels of government as an equal stakeholder to cleanup our environment. Please vote Row A on Election Day. BILL TAYLOR Threats to Our Beaches East Hampton October 5, 2015 Dear David, The board of directors of Citizens for Access Rights hopes that everyone had a great summer. The weather was fantastic, and we trust that everyone was able to enjoy all that East Hampton has to offer. Now that the summer is over, we would like to remind our members and your readers that the threats to our beaches do not go away with the seasons. The erosion of public access and ownership is a year-round event. There are many active threats along all of East Hampton’s shorelines. This election will be critical as to how our local government defends and deals with current and future threats. Whether it is the parking on the Dolphin Drive right of way for access to an $8 million public preserve and beach, the lawsuits that would privatize beaches on Napeague, the hard-structuring of the beaches in Montauk, or any number of the other issues that pertain to the town’s shorelines, the board of CfAR urges everyone to ask this year’s candidates their views and opinions on these important topics. The incoming town board and the board of trustees will have to work together on many critical issues that will affect the viability, ownership of, and access to East Hampton’s beaches now and for future generations. The board of CfAR cannot stress enough the importance of having members on both of the boards who will work together and who fully support public ownership and access to the beaches and shorelines of East Hampton. As in the past, the board of CfAR is currently working on a list of questions that it feels are important related to these issues. We will submit those questions to the candidates for town board and town trustee. The candidates’ answers will be sent to our members and supporters, as well as be posted on our website. We hope that you will consider this information and vote for candidates who support public access and public ownership in this year’s election. The outcome of this election will have a major impact on the issues affecting our shorelines. If you would like to become a member of CfAR and receive the candidates’ answers, along with our newsletters and other information, please visit our website, citizensforaccessrights.com. Once again, we urge our members and your readers to ask the candidates the important questions and to get their opinions on beach-related issues. If you see a candidate campaigning or if you get the chance to ask a question at a campaign event, ask a beach access or ownership question and share the information with your friends. Be informed and vote for candidates who support public ownership of, and access to, our shorelines. Get out and vote, TIM TAYLOR President Citizens for Access Rights Needed Diversity Amagansett October 12, 2015 To the Editor: The Democratic trustee candidates have an important job to do. The current Republican trustee board isn’t doing the job well; they demonstrate poor interactions with the public, a lack of cooperation with other bodies of government, and a failure to propose proactive solutions to our 21st-century problems. By electing a Democratic majority to the board, we can vote in a new clerk, bring new voices to the table, and add some needed diversity to the board to change the direction of the trustees for the good of our future. I’m an individual mind hoping to bring a big dose of cooperation and civility to the board. My lifetime of respect for nature in East Hampton and my background in ecology and chemistry will be major assets to the trustees. I also chose to run because I am tired of people with political agendas, and as a younger candidate I hope that people see me as a fresh voice whose sole motivation is to help our town without bringing any political baggage along. The Democrats endorsed an excellent team to revive the trustees. They chose people who care about our community and our environment, and who represent a diversity of viewpoints and backgrounds, which is important on a board of nine people. To help achieve a much-needed Democratic majority, they chose to run us as a slate, which means we are working together to win this race, and to bring the same spirit of cooperation to the board. Before this race began I barely knew any of my running mates, but throughout our time together nearly all of them have been helpful and cooperative, and I feel that those of us who are an active part of the Democratic slate will make a superb team once elected. While we agree on many issues, like protecting public beach access, modernizing trustee procedures, and taking bold steps to remediate our waters, I urge you to talk to all of us about our stances on other issues. I enjoy being part of our team, and I’m confident that we can bring a fresh perspective to the East Hampton trustees; anyone who has watched their meetings can attest to that need. I promise to be cooperative, civil, open-minded, present, and vocal at meetings, and to speak for what I believe in as an independent voice. I have no agenda beyond clean water, healthy fisheries, and public beaches. If you also want to bring a fresh perspective to the trustees, I ask for your vote, not just for me, but for my team. Now is the time to work together, to protect our common interests, protect the things that make this town great, and cooperate as a community to keep this town our own. TYLER ARMSTRONG Trustee Candidate Misguided Egos East Hampton October 5, 2015 Dear David, The culvert on Gerard Drive was completed in 2006 at the cost of nearly $900,000. The purpose was to improve the water flush at the far northern end of Accabonac Harbor. Almost immediately, following two storms it filled with sand, proving to be a maintenance nightmare. The town trustees at the time, which included the sitting clerk, felt the best way to deal with this problem was to barter the services of a local excavation contractor for the sand removed from the site. Following scrutiny, it was decided this might not be a proper arrangement. So at the cost of $15,000, the sand was excavated and stockpiled for the trustees to auction to the highest bidder. This seemed to work fine until the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation permit, issued to the Town of East Hampton, expired. They are now in the predicament where the town has not renewed the permit, and the trustees won’t apply for the permit in their own name. Because the sitting trustees refuse to recognize the State of New York and its agencies, the culvert has languished in this condition for the past three years! The health of trustee holdings, your waterways and beaches, take a back seat to misguided egos. Elect Francis Bock and the Row A candidates for town trustee, and we will bring responsible stewardship to the East Hampton Town Trustees. With my prior two terms of experience, which includes the position of trustee clerk, I will work hard to maintain our harbors, creeks, and ponds. We will continue the fight for beach access and do the difficult work to keep our waters clean. Sincerely, FRANCIS J. BOCK Democratic Candidate Cost of Living Amagansett October 12, 2015 Dear David, At the last town trustee meeting, Rick Drew, a Lazy Point resident and candidate for trustee, emphasized the factual nature of a cost-of-ownership analysis presented to Trustee Clerk Diane McNally on Aug. 25. The 32-page report was prepared by three members of the Lazy Point community. The data was obtained from public records in the town assessor’s office. The document compares the cost of living on trustee-owned public land to that of equivalent properties. The trustee board will hire an objective professional consultant to vet the data and conclusions in the dollars and sense compilation. Trustee Deborah Klughers took exception to the use of records from the assessor’s office, stating that market values are higher, and if the town were to initiate a reassessment, those higher values would be reflected in the assessor’s records. Trustee Bill Taylor made the point that the public records in the assessor’s office are the law of the township. Ms. Klughers argued that “We’ve never had a townwide reassessment so those numbers aren’t accurate” and then publicly called for townwide reassessment. For one thing, in East Hampton Town, anytime an individual makes significant home improvements (requiring a building permit) the dwelling is reassessed. Similarly, any new construction is likewise assessed. Calling for townwide reassessment makes for controversy. And Ms. Klughers’s remark that “billionaires are paying next to nothing” certainly qualifies as that. The reality is that reassessment is an extremely costly undertaking for the town and would drastically impact older citizens who have owned their homes for some time. These individuals make up the fabric of our community. Many are on fixed incomes. They are able to remain in their homes because of affordable real estate taxes, despite the fact that property values around them have skyrocketed. It’s well known that local politicians don’t call for townwide reassessment for this reason. Suggesting measures that would impact the entire town simply to spite a small and vulnerable community doesn’t seem reasonable. It seems the opposite of stewardship on behalf of the public. I see no benefit for the public whatsoever. Sincerely, DAVID ELZE Worked Together Springs October 12, 2015 Dear David, The Dongan Patent, which created the trustees and described their powers, is still legally valid and vital. At the writing of the New York Constitution, in 1777, the Constitutional Convention incorporated the continuing existence of the trustees and their powers by stating “that nothing in this constitution contained shall be construed to affect any grants of land within this state, made by the authority of the said King or his predecessors, or to annul any charters to bodies-politic by him or them.” A recent appellate decision, Gessin v. Throne-Holst, traced the history of trustee powers and ownership. The appellate court, quoting from a New York State Legislature law of 1831, wrote that “The said trustees shall have the sole control over all the fisheries, fowling, seaweed, waters, and productions of the waters within the said town . . . and all the property, commodities, privileges, and franchises granted to them by the charter of Governor Dongan . . . except as are abrogated, changed, and altered by the laws of this state.” The 1831 statute further provided that the Freeholders Trust “shall have the power to make rules, orders and by-laws for the management thereof and the regulation of their affairs, and to impose . . . penalties on any person offending such rules, orders or by-laws.” This implies that the trustees not only were granted ownership of important natural resources, but were additionally granted governmental regulatory powers. However, the New York State Constitution allows the Legislature to change or remove trustee powers. Which Dongan Patent powers are still extant is an important gray area that needs to be studied, but with care and caution. I would not be campaigning to be elected a trustee if I thought that the trustees were merely the largest landowner in East Hampton. I hold that the trustees should have regulatory powers because that is what will be best for all the citizens of East Hampton far into the future. This does not mean that the trustees should not work with other regulatory bodies. I have tried, as chair of the Nature Preserve Committee, to set an example of how the town and trustees can work together to balance preservation and public use of our waterfront properties. We have worked together on many management plans that have been mutually accepted without ever having to fight over the boundaries of townowned upland from trustee-owned beaches. Probably the most important reason for this success comes from including the trustees in all discussions and decisions from day one. As chair of the Deer Management Committee, I have asked the local Department of Environmental Conservation representative to attend our meetings, and we have a good working relationship. The airport is my prime example of why it is better to retain as much local control of local affairs as possible. Another example of the problem of nonlocal authority is the Army Corps of Engineers project in Montauk, a project which our East Hampton trustees do not support. The Army Corps needs a pipeline of projects to justify their own salaries. Their reasoning for their final design seems biased toward their own survival rather than on finding an optimal result for the town. Lastly, I have worked well with the D.E.C. on the construction of the Pussy’s Pond bridge and on hunting issues. But, because of statelevel regulations or procedures, it has often been difficult, slow, or impossible to get the D.E.C. to approve work or regulations that I and our committees were sure would be best for East Hampton. Our town has an exceptionally large number of exceptional individuals who can provide knowledge on how to manage our natural resources. With these people watching and helping, I prefer that as much of our affairs as possible remain within the control of our own political bodies, whose views and elected members can be changed by local voters every two or four years. ZACHARY COHEN Candidate for Trustee Worked for You East Hampton October 12, 2015 Dear David, As Campaign 2015 for town trustee draws to a close, no doubt you have read and heard many things. But know this: I have always worked for you, the public. My political years have been dedicated to the public. During my 10 years on the planning board I made changes that are still used today by all boards. I was member, chairwoman, and vice chairwoman. There were battles, but in the end we, the public, won, and I am proud to have been fighting for our people’s rights. During 12 years on the town board, I was in the minority and majority and thrived in both. I was member, and for four years, deputy supervisor. But I was always just another employee. It didn’t matter what I was assigned to, I was all over everything. There wasn’t anything going on that I was not involved with, I worked for you. I improved safety at the airport, got police and lifeguard safety equipment, created affordable housing (an entire community), rebuilt the entire marine infrastructure of the Town of East Hampton, created laws, and, with the fire departments, changed the town fire code. I negotiated contracts for the employees and police. I worked for the public then and want to work for you again on the East Hampton Town Trustees. I’ll make mistakes. I’ll get wet and dirty. Maybe the whole board will. But in the end you will have a board of trustees that works with all other boards and permitting agencies, is able to get what it needs to get the job done, that is a pleasure to deal with, and that has room for you. Respectfully, PAT MANSIR Admirable Traits Amagansett October 12, 2015 Dear David, We have known Rick Drew and his family for many years. Since declaring his candidacy for trustee we have seen even more admirable traits emerge. Rick is very intelligent and extremely thoughtful. He keeps an open mind. He listens to opposing views and incorporates them into his decision-making process when he finds they have merit. He is calm and diplomatic in dealing with people and is an excellent negotiator and speaker. Rick is dedicated to preserving the health of our environment, especially our local waters, which he believes are the life blood of the community. As a trustee, Rick will be active and hands-on. He has attended most trustee meetings over the past year. That cannot be said of most other candidates, or even some incumbent trustees. He has a good sense of how things work and how they don’t. He is committed to doing everything within his power to improve the overall functioning of the board. As a trustee, Rick will carefully consider matters that come before the trustees, find out the facts, analyze them, and share them. He will listen to all arguments. He will vote based on merit rather than personal bias. East Hampton deserves a board of trustees composed of concerned and dedicated people looking toward the future of East Hampton and willing to work with other government agencies and individuals to make it a better one for all. Rick Drew will be such a trustee. He will have our vote. We hope he will have yours. Respectfully, VINCENT and JOAN PRIORE Illegal Rentals Jacksonville, Fla. October 11, 2015 Dear David, I applaud and firmly support the current town board for pushing the agenda of a rental registry law. Despite the best efforts of code enforcement to crack down on offenders, property owners continue to flout the laws because the fines are nominal compared to the money being made. I know firsthand: The house next to mine has been turned into an illegal motel operating year round, and the situation is completely out of control. I’d like to propose one addition to the registration form: homeowner’s insurance name and policy number. I am quite convinced that none of the homeowners who advertise their short-term illegal rentals have disclosed this to their homeowner’s insurance carriers. At best, if the insurance companies knew about these illegal rentals, the premiums would either skyrocket or coverage would be canceled. At worst, the homeowners would be guilty of insurance fraud, a serious criminal offense. Al Capone wasn’t caught for his illegal activities; he was caught for tax evasion. Perhaps if we can’t shut down the illegal rentals through code enforcement we can get the homeowners for insurance fraud. Sincerely, ANITA ZELDIN Without Discussion Springs October 9, 2015 To the Editor: After many months of dithering, dallying, and delaying, our town board has finally announced public hearings on three vital issues — rental registry, trucks, and the budget. They also suddenly, without prior discussion, guaranteed $4 million for an affordable housing project whose details are unknown to the voting public. Unfortunately, they’ve scheduled these hearings for after the election. Coming from a board that likes to claim how transparent they are, this kind of timing is transparently political. Sincerely, REG CORNELIA Sneaky People Springs October 9, 2015 Dear David: Heard a knock on our door, and there stood a young man with some papers in hand. He told me he was from the Leadership Council or something like that. (There were more words to the name, but he stumbled over the full title and admitted having trouble remembering the exact name himself.) He said he was taking a survey for them and wanted to know if I was satisfied with my local elected officials. At first, from the way he was talking, I thought he might be from a bipartisan group, but something didn’t feel right. While I was contemplating whether or not to give away personal opinions to this stranger, he handed me a piece of literature — actually a tag he was going to hang on the doorknob if I wasn’t at home. On one side I saw the photos of Republican politicians. Then, when I turned it over, I saw photos of the currently serving Democrats, the difference being that a negative statement was posted in big red letters under the Democrats’ photos. A bipartisan survey this was not. I told the young man that I suspected he was representing the Republicans, and he awkwardly acknowledged that to be true. I told him I thought it was wrong of the Republicans to hide behind this phony name. Maybe there is such a group registered with that leadership name, but it is obviously a front for the Republican Party. I found this subterfuge quite offensive. Why are the Republicans ashamed to come to my door and say what they stand for in the upcoming election, instead of hiding behind front groups with lofty names? I told the young man what he was doing on behalf of the leadership group was purposefully quite misleading. Because of this I refused to reveal any of my thoughts to him about the upcoming election, and I am taking this opportunity to warn others: Know to whom you are speaking. Halloween is around the corner, and there are sneaky people out there. PEGGY BACKMAN Vote for Lisa East Hampton October 9, 2015 Dear Editor, My neighbors and I are so glad to know that Lisa Mulhern-Larsen is running for East Hampton Town Board. I believe the town will find Lisa to be a very hard-working and intelligent person, having the qualities necessary to do a great job for the town. I consider myself very fortunate to have the Larsens as neighbors, as I can count on them for anything. It’s comforting to know that they are here for me. I am rooting for her because I know she will encourage teamwork and will get the jobs done as she does with all of her endeavors, be it for her family, work, or volunteerism. Please vote for Lisa Mulhern-Larsen on Nov. 3! Sincerely, HELEN BENNETT Quite Frustrating East Hampton October 9, 2015 Dear Editor: Why are Republican candidates for East Hampton Town Board accepting tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from out-of-town political action committees tied to helicopter companies currently suing the town of East Hampton? As an East Hampton resident who values peace and quiet, clean air, clean water, and preservation of real estate values, I find it amazing and quite frustrating that Tom Knobel, Margaret Turner, and Lisa Mulhern-Larsen, all candidates to represent me, would choose to put noisy, out-of-town helicopter and commuter aircraft concerns before quality of life for local people. Sincerely, HELEN CHARBACK Cannot Be Bought East Hampton October 11, 2015 Dear David, This election cycle is shaping up to be historic as reports of shocking amounts of money donated to the East Hampton Republicans by a few individuals and businesses to influence the outcome of a local election are reported by the New York State Board of Elections. As of Sept. 30, over $50,000 was donated by aviation interests, including some New Jersey-based helicopter companies. One can easily expect this number to climb, as the next reporting period will not occur till after the election. Add to this extraordinary sum the efforts and expenses of a newly formed PAC, the East Hampton Leadership Council, author and distributor of the infamous door hangers recently received by East Hampton residents, disparaging the current Democratic leadership and promoting the Republican slate. One begins to wonder, why so much interest in a small-town election? The answer to that question is our local airport, owned and operated by the Town of East Hampton. Incumbents Larry Cantwell, Sylvia Overby, and Peter Van Scoyoc, part of the current town board, which has taken initial reasonable steps to limit access to East Hampton Airport to protect the public from intensifying aircraft noise disturbances, are up for re-election. And, aviation interests are spending huge sums of money to make sure these fine public servants are not returned to office. All because these same aviation interests do not care about the healththreatening noise and emission impacts their wish for unregulated access to East Hampton Airport creates for the non-flying public all over the East End. These aviation business interests are now contaminating our political processes with special interest money, just as they are contaminating our air and the peaceful enjoyment of our homes, properties, and natural environments. Rather than ear-splitting noise, and choking avgas fumes, this contamination takes the form of huge sums of money funneled into PACs pushing a stated agenda to reverse our hard-won local control of East Hampton Airport right back into the Federal Aviation Administration, a large, dysfunctional federal agency. Home rule of East Hampton Airport is something residents have fought long to regain and are not willing to relinquish. Taking F.A.A. funds will eliminate the town’s ability to set meaningful curfews, limit numbers and concentrations of flights, and limit access to the airport by the noisiest aircraft, all courtsanctioned rights it currently enjoys, thanks to the Cantwell administration. The righteous outrage of the East Hampton citizenry will surely demonstrate at the polls this Election Day that we will determine the future of our community, our airport, and our environment. We will control our own destiny. We will not yield to propaganda and manipulation of the truth to outside investors wishing only to profit by the natural beauty of our area, wrought by maritime and agricultural endeavor and the peace and quiet that distinguishes East Hampton from all other places. We will show that we cannot be bought. We will push back on an unconscionable manipulation of our local political process by out-of-state business interests and the portion of the local aviation community that is working with them. We will vote for local control of East Hampton Airport. We will vote for home rule. We will vote for the best interests of our local community and for those that represent those interests. And, make no mistake: We will not vote for those who seek local public office to represent the best interests of New Jersey’s economy. Sincerely, KATHLEEN CUNNINGHAM Quiet Skies Coalition Carpetbaggers Wainscott October 12, 2015 Dear David, This past Saturday morning all hell broke loose as our 2-year-old Havanese erupted, barking incessantly at the front door. They say dogs are good judges of character; apparently she correctly judged the character of the guy proceeding to put a door hanger on our front door. When I approached the front door, I interrupted him. He held up the door hanger showing three awful black-andwhite photos of Supervisor Larry Cantwell, Councilman Peter Van Scoyoc, and Councilwoman Sylvia Overby. “Are you happy with your government?” he asked. I said, “There’s always room for improvement, however, over all I’m very pleased with our present government.” He turned the door hanger over and there were three beautiful color photos of the G.O.P. candidates running for supervisor and town board positions. “Do you know these people?” He asked. I realized the scam immediately and asked him who he was and who he represented. He offered only that he wasn’t from around here, whereby I correctly pegged him as the carpetbagger from New Jersey trying to influence our local elections. After a quick exchange of words, he dejectedly walked back to his car parked in our driveway. Let there be no mistake about it: This year’s election will be the determining factor of whether or not the local citizens of East Hampton will continue to control their own destiny at East Hampton Airport or forever give control to outsiders. Major outside money and outside influence, coming directly from the helicopter industry, are attempting to upset our local elections. They are doing their damndest to spread their propaganda, to change the minds of local voters to vote for the G.O.P. candidates. All the G.O.P. candidates said they are willing to take Federal Aviation Administration money and cede control of the airport back to the F.A.A. That would be a horrible scenario, since we all know noise-abatement policies don’t work and the only way to reduce noise at the airport is to restrict aircraft use, as this town board has done by passing legislation to implement curfews and restrict the frequency of use of the noisiest aircraft, mainly helicopters. Aircraft traffic cannot be restricted under F.A.A. control. Do you remember the last time you were in New Jersey? Do you remember the stench of toxic waste dumps and oil refineries in New Jersey? This is exactly what the helicopter carpetbaggers want to bring to East Hampton. One only needs to drive by the airport Friday and Sunday afternoons during the summer. The stench of spent jet fuel from dirty, noisy helicopters makes me nauseated and makes my eyes water. This is exactly what the Republican candidates promises to take you back to. They want to take back the airport to F.A.A. control. What a disaster! Vote for the Democrats, who support local control, who said no to F.A.A. funding, who said no to outside influences. This is our town, we need to act, by voting for the Dems, to keep it that way. Sincerely, FRANK DALENE Aviation Interests East Hampton October 11, 2015 To the Editor, Last Thursday’s Star informed us that a new group calling itself East Hampton Leadership Council has been placing on the doors of East Hampton residents door tags supporting the Republican candidates for town board in the coming local election and criticizing the Democratic candidates, who are incumbent town board members. This leadership council should well have called themselves Friends of the East Hampton Airport (another phony name) even though their door tags do not mention the aircraft noise plague from the airport or the Democrats’ actions this year to reduce aircraft noise by restricting helicopter and other aircraft access to the airport. The council showed us the friends’ name because, as your report suggested, the two entities are constituted of the same out-of-town and, indeed, out-ofstate aviation interests. They are the same interests that have sued the town board to invalidate the Democrats’ airport noise reduction efforts. It is clear that those foreign aviation interests are not satisfied with litigation. They now are attempting to take over the town politically. In addition to the doortag propaganda that you have reported, it appears that they collectively are making very large donations to the Republican Committee’s election campaign, as indicated by the Suffolk Board of Elections publication of the Republican committee’s midterm financial report. Those foreign aviation interests’ propaganda are supported by their Republican candidates who have condemned the Democrats for spending (airport) money defending against the “Friends” litigation. And those Republicans also support taking new Federal Aviation Administration airport money by which the federal government would prevent the town from imposing any airport access restrictions for noise control purposes for 20 years. In order to preserve local control of the airport and save the East End from expansion of the intolerant aviation noise plague brought to us by the foreign aviation interests, our voters should overwhelmingly support the Democratic town board slate. Supervisor Larry Cantwell and Councilpersons Peter Van Scoyoc and Sylvia Overby will continue their efforts to limit aircraft noise if they are re-elected — they have committed themselves to do so. Sincerely, CHARLES A. EHREN JR. Hidden Agenda? Wainscott October 9, 2015 Dear Editor, Recent newspaper and radio slots by Tom Knobel — “Take Back Our Town” — are filled with untruths and misinformation. His “Sgt. Schultz” routine concerning the door tags are as usual as is his history of kissing the feet of special interests. The public be damned! However, the Cantwell team has already accomplished taking the town back. They assured us that we count. Mr. Knobel and his running mates are foaming at the mouth to run to the Federal Aviation Administration for funds to “repair the airport.” Repair what? Or is it the hidden agenda promises he made to the “Friends of the Airport” to accomplish what the Federal Aviation Administration refused to do? You know damn well what I am speaking about. Mr. Knobel and his running mates could care less about the consequences of their actions. Just like when he and his cronies on the then-town board turned a “small rural facility,” as described in the then-airport layout plan and airport master plan into what it is now. These documents never permitted the widening of the main runway and nowhere did they approve changing the load-bearing weight to 60,000 pounds from 40,000 pounds. I ask, to benefit whom? I will supply him with the verbatim quote from the F.A.A. that will put holes in his promises to the very people who are suing the town, yet pouring funds to his campaign. Altruism for sure! Stop drinking the Kool-Aid. Strange bedfellows indeed! Mr. Knobel forgets to mention the last time we became indentured servants for 20 years. That was until the town was “taken back” by the Cantwell team and civility returned. The Cantwell team is the only administration that stood tall andrefusedtoacceptF.A.A.fundingand instituted some resemblance of normalcy to return us by improving the situation and trying to eliminate the disruption of the quality of life. The Cantwell team listened to us and those of surrounding communities as well trying to control continued disturbance that has gone on for too many decades from deep-pocketed, out-ofstate operators who couldn’t care less about our safety and quality of life. Unfortunately, it was the residents and taxpayers who reaped the calamity of what Mr. Knobel had sown. So instead, I challenge Mr. Knobel to explain to the people about his role in expanding the facility into the jetport and helicopter mess it is now. I challenge him to explain his role in the subsequent lawsuit against the town and explain why the town had to pave 40,000 square feet of apron. And the reason why? So man up or hide. Deja vu all over again, Sgt. Schultz? Yours truly, ARTHUR J. FRENCH Honesty and Tenacity East Hampton October 8, 2015 To the Editor, Margaret Turner is running for town board. She is a hard worker, a person who cares very much about our community. She has put in many hours learning about the issues facing the town. Her honesty and tenacity will serve well in moving East Hampton forward. Respectfully, JACKIE FRIEDMAN Democracy Is Messy Springs October 10, 2015 Dear David: From mailers to their debate talking points, it’s clear that that the incumbent town slate has made “civility” a centerpiece of their re-election campaigns. The idea that “civility” in government is an end in itself should have us worried. As a means to forge consensus? Absolutely. As the goal? No thank you. “Civility” is the antithesis of the robust, transparent, and vigorous debate that is at the heart of our democratic system. Any governmental entity more concerned with civility than good governance is putting perception above substance, tone over contents. Actually, the only way a town board meeting can always be civil is when the hard choices have already been made behind closed doors. That’s precisely what’s wrong with the current board. Take a trip and watch our neighbors in Southampton sometime. You’ll see a town council that actually debates, where members put forward competing resolutions. Is it always civil? Of course not, nor should it be. Democracy is messy. I should add that as a candidate myself, I’ve had more than my share of ostensibly “civil” meetings that ended with a proverbial knife in the back. We’d all be wise to be wary of the smiling assassin. In my view, it’s those who glad-hand and shine-on the voters who are the disrespectful ones. Being genial and “civil” is very different from being honest, effective, and worthy of re-election. AMOS GOODMAN Mr. Goodman is the Republican and Reform Party candidate for the Second District seat in the Suffolk Legislature. Ed. Aviation Interests East Hampton October 9, 2015 Dear David, The most recent Republican campaign finance report filed with the Suffolk Board of Elections discloses that of approximately $63,000 in contributions received, $55,000 came from firms with aviation interests at East Hampton Airport or people affiliated with them. That would be 87 percent. It appears that aviation interests are almost the entire support of the Republican campaign. On top of that, it was reported in the press last week that a supposedly independent political action committee that calls itself, preposterously, the East Hampton Leadership Council is producing and distributing Republican campaign literature. This PAC is registered to a lawyer for, and member of, the board of directors of HeliFlite Inc., a big helicopter operator out of East Hampton Airport. That probably pushes the Republican campaign’s reliance on aviation money over 90 percent! Seems like no one but these aviation interests is willing to support the Republican campaign. Republican town board candidate Margaret Turner denies receiving any aviation money. Republican supervisor candidate Tom Knobel denies any coordination with the so-called Leadership Council, although its literature uses Republican campaign photos and copy. Anyone who cares to believe the denials is welcome to do so (and get your wallet out to buy a nice bridge in Brooklyn). What cannot be denied is that aviation interests, including the New Jersey-based helicopter operators, know perfectly well where to put their money. These are the same operators that have filed multiple legal actions against the town in an attempt both to overturn our airport noise controls and return control of East Hampton Airport to the Federal Aviation Administration in Washington. The aviation companies know that they are destined to fail in court. The law is not on their side. They hope therefore to elect to our town board Republican candidates who are all too eager to destroy local, town board control of the airport and render noise restrictions impossible. The Republican candidates openly declare their opposition to the town defending itself in court against the aviation legal attack. They claim they are worried about the cost, although the legal defense does not cost the taxpayers anything. It is paid for entirely by airport users. As reported in The East Hampton Press this week, the Republicans are also willing to take Federal Aviation Administration money, which would return control of the airport to the F.A.A. and render noise controls impossible. What more could the helicopter companies ask for? Nothing. The defeat of the adopted noise restrictions and especially the return of control of the airport to the F.A.A. would allow the helicopter operators to continue their unrestrained barrage of noise from the air. The donors of all this money are not fools. The Republican candidates, all of them, Knobel, Mulhern-Larsen, and Turner, are deep in the pockets of the aviation interests who are funding virtually their entire campaign. What do they care about the lives of ordinary people who live in East Hampton and want only to enjoy their own homes in peace? Sincerely, DAVID GRUBER Trying to Buy Amagansett October 9, 2015 Editor: The recent intrusion by New Jersey helicopter companies into East Hampton politics, reported in last week’s Star, is very disturbing. Looking further into the matter it appears that tens of thousands of dollars have been solicited and accepted by the Town Republican Committee from this source. Why? It is clear that this contribution is aimed at electing a town board that will rescind the present legislation and give them unfettered access to our airport. Equally upsetting is the thousands of dollars given the Republicans by Cyril’s, a small restaurant that has become a nightclub and created serious safety problems on Montauk Highway. These helicopter companies and out-of-control nightclubs are trying to buy Republican seats on the town board. Don’t let this happen! Re-elect Larry Cantwell, Sylvia Overby, and Peter Van Scoyoc on Nov. 3. The Republican campaign slogan, “Take Back East Hampton,” tells the truth. They want to take it back to the good old days, when, to quote the previous Republican supervisor, “If it’s good for business, it’s good for us.” IRVING HIRSHBERG Ass-Backward Wainscott October 11, 2015 Dear David: I returned home yesterday to find a door hanger on my front door left by a group calling themselves the East Hampton Leadership Council. On it were color photos of the three Republican town board candidates: Tom Knoebel, Margaret Turner, and Lisa Mulhern-Larsen. Underneath their photos the Republican candidates promised to “restore my quality of life.” They also promised to “see problems ahead,” “articulate goals and build consensus on solutions directly addressing problems.” So Tom, Margaret, and Lisa: Here is a problem ahead: My quality of life has been ruined by unrelenting and (until this past year) completely unregulated helicopter and commuter aircraft noise in and out of East Hampton Airport. The owners of these companies and their employees are not East Hampton residents. They live and work in New Jersey, Connecticut, Manhattan, and Nassau County. Not only have they ruined quality of life for many East Hampton residents but for those in Sag Harbor, North Haven, Noyac, North Sea, Southampton, Shelter Island, Mattituck, Greenport, Southold, Orient, Riverhead, and Wading River. As it turns out, these same aviation concerns have also donated heavily to the Republican campaign for election . . . to the tune of almost $50,000 to date. Fifty-thousand bucks. Not only have these aerial carpetbaggers clearly articulated their goals, they are actually suing the Town of East Hampton in an attempt to force their own solution: unrestricted helicopter and seaplane noise 24 hours a day, seven days a week, over the entire East End and anywhere else they care to fly. It appears as though these Republican candidates agree with them as they have clearly articulated no position to the contrary. The back side of this door hanger contained small, fuzzy black-and-white photos of the three incumbent Democratic town board members running for re-election against Knoebel, Turner, and Larsen with the caption: “Asleep at the Wheel.” The flier states that the incumbents did nothing to plan, prepare, or enforce laws for the chaotic summer months. I find this campaign approach to be not just disingenuous but insulting to the people of East Hampton. Let me remind readers that it was Republican former Town Supervisor Bill Wilkinson who suggested residents just “suck it up” and endure the chaotic summer months. Let me remind readers that it was Republican former Councilman Stanzione who suggested we all need to “share the pain” when it comes to airport noise. Wasn’t it the previous Republicandominated town board that cut jobs in ordinance enforcement and other key departments tasked with protecting our environment and quality of life? And wasn’t it Larry Cantwell, Sylvia Overby, and Peter Van Scoyoc who restaffed and reorganized those departments as quickly as possible with the result being significant increases in prosecution of code and noise violations? As a registered voter and resident in East Hampton for 32 years I’ve often crossed party lines to vote for candidates I believe have the best interests of my town and my neighbors at heart. Never in those 32 years have I found a piece of campaign literature to be as off the mark, ass-backward, and frankly, as stupid as this door hanger. This year I am actually embarrassed for my many Republican friends, who include one of the three candidates. Your leadership has abandoned you. Perhaps when you’ve got nothing to say it’s best to say nothing. East Hampton’s voters are far too intelligent for this drivel. I’d suggest firing whoever came up with this campaign approach. Sincerely, TOM MacNIVEN Lackluster Candidates Amagansett October 12, 2015 Dear David, I have to laugh at the Republicans’ campaign ads: “Energy Determination, Desire, Goals, Passion, and Drive!” Has anyone seen or heard their lackluster candidates? Considered their résumés? Two have never held public office. The supervisor candidate hasn’t served in years. Has any of them explained how s/he will “serve all residents through responsive government?” They’ve offered no programs except to limit purchase of open space and end local airport control so noisy planes can fly endlessly. The irony is that their ad perfectly described the Democrats. In two and a half years, as the threats to the very survival of East Hampton have proliferated, the Democratic candidates for re-election have been meeting challenges in town finance and administration, affordable housing, energy sustainability, protecting our quality of life with code enforcement, preserving open space, planning for coastal resilience, and much more. “Energy, Determination, Desire, Goals, Passion, and Drive.” Our Democratic candidates can wear that mantle with pride. Only for Halloween can the Republican don these clothes. Sincerely yours, LARRY MARCUS Excellent Choice East Hampton October 8, 2015 Dear David, I am writing in support of my friend and neighbor Margaret Turner, who is running for East Hampton Town Board. As long as I have known Margaret she has been actively involved in our community. As former executive director of the East Hampton Business Alliance, she has become familiar with how the town government operates and the people involved. By going to all the town board meetings, as well as serving on various town committees, Margaret has an understanding of the issues that are unique to East Hampton. Her fiscal responsibility, planning, and organization, along with her compassion for those in this community, make her an excellent choice for town board. DEME MINSKOFF Ignores the Progress East Hampton October 12, 2015 Dear David, Tom Knobel claims that in dealing with overoccupancy and commercial use of residential property the town board has brought forth a “divisive issue without solutions.” Without specifying anything he would have done, he mocks the concerns of residents in Springs and Montauk and ignores the progress that has been made. In the town board’s work session Oct. 6, police Chief Michael Sarlo and Betsy Bambrick reported on dramatically increased law enforcement in both communities. Enhanced staffing and training, new roles for building inspectors, fire marshals and the marine patrol, and a unique collaboration among law enforcement agencies initiated by the administration at its outset and pursued ever since are yielding impressive results. Concurrently, the town board has pursued the possibility that a rental permit law, like one that Southampton and many other towns find helpful with overoccupancy cases, could facilitate East Hampton’s enforcement. The board first developed and considered an early draft of a law modeled on Southampton’s after community consultations and hearings. The plan appeared too burdensome for East Hampton homeowners who partly sustain their families by renting. The board went back to the drawing board, and as also reported last wee, has designed a new, simpler rental registry. Developed with comments and advice from the public, law enforcement officials, and real estate agents, it would reduce the burdens on the owners, while providing the identification needed to make code enforcement cheaper and more effective. Meanwhile, it was reported, the board is simplifying proposed legislation describing the kinds of commercial trucks that may be placed on residential property. So is this town board divisive? Unable to solve problems? Or is it listening to the public, assessing needs, and pursuing options on which our diverse community can agree? I say the latter, and I’m voting for Larry Cantwell, Sylvia Overby, and Peter Van Scoyoc to keep up the good work. Sincerely yours, ELLEN PETERSEN Helicopter Council East Hampton October 8, 2015 Dear David, Although the leaves haven’t turned color in East Hampton yet, the tea leaves in the local campaign are clearly telling us something. Our neighborhoods are now flooded with paid campaign workers from New Jersey helicopter companies trying to help the Republicans “take back” East Hampton. And now we know who the Republicans want to take back East Hampton for: The helicopter companies that want unrestricted takeoffs and landings at the airport to fill their bank accounts regardless of the impact on East Hampton residents. Under the guise of the East Hampton Leadership Council, I mean the Helicopter Council, they are trying to influence the campaign in the Republicans’ favor. I wonder why? Yours truly, LENI SALZ Fell on Deaf Ears Wainscott October 12, 2015 Dear Editor, Anyone attending or watching the Oct. 6 town board meeting saw politics at its worst. It was insulting to see the current administration take such an obvious kick the can down the road tactic less than three weeks before the election, as they decided to have yet another discussion on the truck legislation and the rental registry, but conveniently extend the discussion until the next work session, strategically leaving no time for a public hearing until after the election. Voters have a right to know how the incumbents will decide these issues before the election, not after! At the work session, Chief Michael Sarlo and code enforcement gave a presentation on how enforcement numbers are up since August. Montauk residents have complained about noise, garbage, taxis, and parking for the last three to four years. When the prior administration offered a proposal that dealt with “outside occupancy” at commercial establishments, Councilpersons Peter Van Scoyoc and Sylvia Overby rejected it out of hand, but offered no solutions. I know this because I attended those meetings. It should not have taken a public outcry in July to get the current board to finally address these problems. Let’s not forget that Springs residents have been begging for help with overcrowded houses and commercial vehicle parking for years. The current administration has the gall to repeat their mantra that they support affordable housing and are working on “something.” But that something is six to eight years away. What are they doing now? Did anyone hear how they will do an inventory of property in East Hampton where affordable housing opportunities might exist? No. Did anyone hear them admit that the town’s affordable apartment program isn’t working and they are going to interview applicants that went through the process to see how it can be improved? No. Did anyone hear how they will re-examine the affordable housing overlays and update the outdated list, as many properties on the list are no longer available? No. Did the board offer to add additional properties to the list? No. Did anyone hear how they will work with businesses or commercial property owners to encourage apartments over stores? No. Did anyone hear them say that they will work with builders on possible incentives to encourage building affordable houses and apartments? Not one word. Many at the meeting were residents who spoke from the heart about the need for taking care of our community, but I fear those pleas fell on deaf ears. During my 10-year tenure with the business alliance, the most consistent frustration voiced by businesses was the loss of employees (year-round and seasonal) due to the lack of affordable housing. This is also the biggest concern I’m hearing from residents while campaigning: that their kids, families, and seniors have to leave because housing is too expensive. I have been an advocate for affordable housing for many years and sat on the town’s affordable housing committee and housing needs committee. It’s time to change the lip service regarding these issues at the town board level. I intend do that. Vote for me, Margaret Turner, on Nov.3. Thank you, MARGARET TURNER Buy an Election East Hampton October 12, 2015 To the Editor, Hello, folks! Do we want New Jersey companies running East Hampton? That is the prospect as HeliFlite, a New Jersey-based helicopter company, hands out “door hangers” to East Hampton residents. One side has three Republicans: Tom Knobel, Lisa MulhernLarsen, and Margaret Turner, in their lovely campaign photos with their current campaign’s blue background while the other side is black-and-white with grainy photos of the Democrats, Larry Cantwell, Sylvia Overby, and Peter Van Scoyoc, saying they are “asleep at the wheel.” It is hard to imagine a more active, responsive, and thoughtful town board than the one we currently have! Nevertheless, a New Jersey helicopter company is trying to buy an election in East Hampton. And this is the helicopter company suing East Hampton. East Hampton is my town, and I am not selling out to New Jersey! On Nov. 3, I am voting for Larry Cantwell, Sylvia Overby, and Peter Van Scoyoc because they are the best candidates for the job. Sincerely, DAVID WEINSTEIN Being Bankrolled Sag Harbor October 11, 2015 Dear Editor: It was very disconcerting to learn this week that the Republican candidates for the town board of East Hampton are being bankrolled by the same aviation companies that are also suing the Town of East Hampton over the meager airport curfews now in place. Each year, the horrible racket caused by commuter helicopters and seaplanes over my neighborhood increases, and finally, this past year, the current town board made an attempt to do something about it. It now appears that these wealthy aviation companies would like to buy a new town board with their profits. How could I possibly vote for these candidates — Tom Knobel, Margaret Turner, and Lisa Mulhern-Larsen — who would put the interest of noisy out of-town polluters before their own neighbors? How could anyone? Sincerely, REBECCA YOUNG Problem Is Erosion East Hampton October 8, 2015 Dear David, Today’s editorial on the Montauk beach was correct. The worst part is that the results of a rigid, or semi-rigid, barrier on beaches like we have here on Long Island has been known since the 1930s. The only possible good news is that Wisconsin has quartz sand from the last glacier. They want to see it mined and exported. Montauk would be a good place to put as much as we can buy with money we can get from the federal government. The problem is erosion, not sea rise, not imaginary anthropogenic climate change. Climate has changed ever since the earth got an atmosphere. Humanity cannot stop climate change nor can it cause anything like significant warming. CO2 does not drive climate change, and CO2 is vital to the health of the biosphere. Photosynthetic plants take the CO2 out of the atmosphere, keep the carbon, release the oxygen for us to breathe. The more CO2 in the atmosphere, the faster the plants grow, the less water they require, the less fertilizer they require, and the crop yields are from 30 to 100 percent greater. This causes an overall greening of the planet, especially helpful in the poorer parts of the earth, making starvation less of a problem. Railing against atmospheric CO2 is the wrong way to go. Ask any commercial greenhouse operator about the benefits of elevated CO2 levels. It is the sun and its changing energy output that causes climate change. Spending $22 billion annually of taxpayer money on a project that cannot possibly have any effect at all is just wrong. East Hampton, given a mere $1 billion from the feds, could effectively cure the Montauk erosion problem for quite a long time. Yours truly, PETER OSBORNE Malicious Attack Riverhead October 9, 2015 To the Editor: I was shocked at Peter Maniscalco’s scandalous attack on me and my highly respected environmental organization, the Long Island Pine Barrens Society. I think his Oct. 8 letter hurts him and the noble goal of advancing renewable energy. Mr. Maniscalco falsely asserts that we are “undermining our renewable energy effort,” we “allow the possible destruction of Pine Barrens with a subsequent threat to our groundwater,” and “have refused to release the amount of money that [Ross] Ain [of Caithness] and his affiliates have been donating-investing in the Long Island Pine Barrens Society.” All of this maligning is merely because Caithness and other Long Island organizations donate to the Pine Barrens Society. There’s no quid pro quo. Still, Mr. Maniscalco seeks to undermine a great environmental organization. An answer is demanded. Here it is. The Pine Barrens Society doesn’t do energy. Never has, never will. It’s not in our charter or mission statement. We work to protect land and water. We criticized the Northport and Port Jefferson power plants for harming the marine environment, having nothing to do with renewable energy. We’ve taken no position on Caithness I or II, because we don’t do energy. We’ve made certain that the construction of the plant conformed to the Pine Barrens Act and have successfully fought clearing for construction of fuel pipelines over the years. We have never refused to provide our sources of gala income because no one has ever asked us to. In fact, Mr. Maniscalco never had a conversation with me about any of this before unleashing this malicious attack in The Star. Since we’re not doing anything pertaining to energy, I can’t for the life of me understand what wrongdoing is even being claimed. In his letter, Mr. Maniscalco praises PSEG, the Rauch Foundation, and Long Island Community Foundation without mentioning that they all support the Pine Barrens Society, as have Brookhaven National Lab, Tenaska, and Hudson Energy, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. And exactly what are we doing for them? Nothing, of course, except for protecting water quality and preserving open space for nearly 40 years, which we’ve been doing for the benefit of every Long Islander. We’ll be celebrating at our 38th anniversary this month. Alec Baldwin will be the honorary chairman for the event. He supports water protection, land preservation, and renewable energy. Why is Mr. Maniscalco questioning his commitment to renewables? Mr. Maniscalco should be ashamed of himself and should be disowned by credible advocates for renewables such as Renewable Energy Long Island. How sad, mean-spirited, and unproductive. Sincerely, RICHARD AMPER Executive Director One Basic Aim Sag Harbor October 12, 2015 Dear David, They will rise like the ocean, they will rise like the sea. I am speaking of Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren. When the first debate begins you’ll see. I speak with some certainty: Every person in the country is a victim of corporate power, Wall Street, and the 1-percenters, the gang of three, who have taken our money — taxes. How have a handful of corporations controlled over 330 million people? Have the walking dead passed by and never noticed? The basic problem is change has to come from outside our dysfunctional government aided by the Gang of Three, which still has drowned us in money, none of whom were elected. Another abuse is called privatization, protected by lobbies and lawyers. Ordinary people are left out of the equation paid for by our taxes. Many large corporations rarely pay taxes. Corporate welfare creates welfare of the poor. Sanders and Warren have one basic aim — bust up the large corporations. As Sanders often repeats, this is not about me, its about you. You! Of late, Bill Clinton has joined Hillary. Beware! Bill Clinton’s administration oversaw the deregulation of Wall Street. Nevertheless, Hillary and Jeb Bush are awash with super PACs. More of the same? Sanders was offered a super PAC by a donor in Vermont and he said, “Kill it. It’s billionaire money I’m fighting against, it’s not for me.” Whereas Sanders and Warren prefer the 2010 Dodd-Frank reform with a few steps tighter, and a return to the era of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1930 requiring commercial banking and investment bankers to remain separate. It too was reversed by Congress during the Bill Clinton administration. What a shame and terrible cost to we the people. Some are still stuck in the A.I.G. too big to fail. It has failed. A millstone around our neck but Bernie Sanders is attracting 1,000 and 10,000 or more everywhere he goes. Therein lies an abundance of hope. No candidate has even come close. A time for change is now. Never later in a crisis. Connected, but an aside. If some guys rob a bank and get caught they might be jailed for a few years or more. On the other hand if a white-collar criminal commits a crime affecting hundreds of thousands of innocent people, he goes free. Absurd, but that’s how we got here. At least we know how to find our way back. Something has gone awry. President Obama has acknowledged we are the only advanced nation that deals with mass killings. Also 60 percent of our people don’t vote. Why do we call it a democracy? Time for change, time to vote, old and young, a new generation. In peace, LARRY DARCEY
Published 4 years ago
Last updated 4 years ago
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: 10.15.15
October 15, 2015