A Grant to Fishermen Lazy Point October 24, 2015 To the Editor: A letter from a neighbor, David Elze, refreshed my memory of how our family settled in Lazy Point, and prompted me to write. In the 1930s, my cousin Angie Morreale Vatter’s husband, Peter Vatter, worked the East End in construction. One of his jobs was at Promised Land, and he, too, made an early claim for property not only for his immediate family but also for Angie’s sister, Eva Morreale Di Giovanni, and her husband, Mike (the original owners of the George Eldi Jr. property on Shore Road). They also bought a second house on Montauk Highway just before the town of Amagansett, which was only sold after Eva’s demise. The Morreale family were all avid fishermen, and even owned a local fish store in Ridgewood, Queens. If my memory serves me correctly, I was told the land was a grant from the King ofEngland to fishermen in the area, and it was not until much later that they signed over their rights when the town promised to build roads, and in return they would be granted leases for their property. In 1949, Angie and Pete sold their shack on Shore Road to Angie’s brother and his wife, Steven (Sammy) and Anna Morreale. I was lucky enough to be able to spend time in Lazy Point since I was 7 years old. My wife and I became permanent residents in 1979 after Steven’s death, and in l990 I was added to the lease. Each year, being on a limited income, we strive to make improvements to the property, as we thoroughly enjoy being residents of Lazy Point. I sincerely hope this helps to answer any questions the trustees may have of the early history of Lazy Point. PAUL T. VIRGADAMO Skilled and Sincere Krakow, Poland October 22, 2015 Dear David: I am taking a few minutes from a much needed vacation to write that I am supporting Pat Mansir for East Hampton Town trustee because for years she has been one of the most skilled and sincere people on the East Hampton political scene. Above all, Pat Mansir can be trusted to get to the bottom of any situation and take the heat, from all sides, while doing it. It’s in Pat Mansir’s nature to be an honest arbiter of political, and any other, ideas. Having worked with her, I have experienced her subtle and more direct ways of telling you that your idea stinks. She will give credit where it is due and an opportunity to anyone to air their views, but when she thinks you are wrong, she is clear and direct. In politics, Pat Mansir is not one of those ego-driven people who hopes that her work will lead to her name being on a building or something and a big fat pension. All she wants, and all she has ever wanted, in her service to the people of East Hampton, is to do a good job for the people she truly cares for, works for, and fights for. We can’t ask for more. I support Pat Mansir for East Hampton Town trustee and urge all concerned, caring, and thinking people to do so also. Yours, JIM DEVINE Current and Relevant Montauk October 26, 2015 Dear David, A quick history of the Dongan Patent and why it’s relevant today. After the Revolutionary War, when the New York State Constitution was written, all the rights granted the East Hampton Town Trustees by the Dongan Patent were included in the New York State Constitution. So the Democrats’ claims about the validity of the patent are patently false. In 1899, in the legal case Howell vs. Jessup, the highest court in the State of New York upheld the rights granted to the trustees by the Dongan Patent. The court held that the trustees “have all rights of control” and affirmed their sovereignty over the waters and the land under them. In 1966 a law was passed in New York State that declared “the authority and proprietary rights of the trustees of the Freeholders and Commonalty of the Town of East Hampton as granted to them by colonial patent or charter to the extent that such rights have not hitherto been alienated are hereby confirmed.” This law was amended in both 1972 and 1975, only to change the number of elected trustees, not to abridge any of the rights granted them by the Dongan Patent. What does that mean today? Howell vs. Jessup was cited many times in the Gessin case, which was decided by the Court of Appeals in favor of the Southampton trustees on Sept. 23, 2015. That is as current and relevant as it gets. A few years ago in a suit brought by the East Hampton trustees and joined by many Long Island municipalities, the court tossed a paid saltwater fishing license out as well. So as you see the Dongan Patent is not just relevant in today’s world but still very active in our East End way of life. Best regards, JOE BLOECKER Candidate for East Hampton Town Trustee Rona Gets Things Done Amagansett October 24, 2015 Dear David, Rona gets things done at the Amagansett East Association! GERRY GURNEY A Powerful Addition Amagansett October 25, 2015 To the Editor, I would like to write in support of Rona Klopman’s election to become one of the East Hampton Town Trustees. I’ve been living in the Amagansett dunes community for nine years now. Six years ago I noted that Ms. Klopman had become head of our neighborhood association, the Amagansett East Association, and since that time I have personally witnessed the incredible difference this has made in the lives of all of us who live here. Honestly, you couldn’t ask for a harder-working, more resilient advocate than Ms. Klopman, a person who is always leading the charge to improve conditions on our beaches and roads, who spots issues before they develop into real problems, and who then has the guts and determination to do something about them. I am absolutely convinced that the property value of everybody living in this neighborhood has improved as a direct result of her advocacy. We have cleaner, more civilized beaches, we have smoother roads, we have a quieter neighborhood, and we have a great deal more money in the association treasury to repair things quickly when they are damaged, and to pay for other services that help improve things going forward. I’m also aware of all the many other services Ms. Klopman provides to the East Hampton community, protecting the local waters and halting inappropriate development projects that would have serious negative consequences for all of us who live here. Additionally, on a more personal note, Rona Klopman has personally inspired me to service in my community, and I credit her spunky, energetic (at times feisty!) personality in this regard, which is nothing short of infectious. She is, in no uncertain terms, a true champion for all of us who live out on the East End. She would be a powerful and important addition to the roster of East Hampton Town Trustees. PETER KAPLAN A Natural Fit Amagansett October 26, 2015 Dear David, I want to write in to show my support for Tyler Armstrong as an East Hampton Town Trustee. In the many years I have known him he has always been an unfaltering advocate and protector of our natural environment, and has inspired others to do the same. He also has a love for East Hampton’s history and traditions, and has always been outspoken and fair toward everyone. Since our time in East Hampton High School, we’ve both worked hard to stay here. I’ve worked to make a career as an artist, inspired by our beaches and landscapes and our unique history. Tyler has worked to educate people about science and nature, preserve our resources, and to share his passion with others. He is a natural fit for an East Hampton town trustee, and I can’t think of anyone I would recommend more for the job. SCOTT BLUEDORN Shared Goals East Hampton October 25, 2015 Dear David, Thank you for your endorsement of my campaign in last week’s paper. As Election Day approaches I am grateful for the many wonderful people I have met along the campaign trail. After attending many trustee meetings and neighborhood gatherings, what has become clear is the need for the trustees to bring people together in order to realize our shared goals. As a community we are passionate about this place and together we can improve the water quality of our ponds and harbors, clear the sand deposits in the Accabonac Harbor culvert, and settle the ongoing disputes over beach access. There is important work to be done for our local environment and natural resources. Our community deserves professional, respectful leadership from our trustee board. Let’s join together and responsibly address the challenges that lie ahead. Please come out and vote for progressive leadership on Nov. 3. Thank you, RICHARD P. DREW A.K.A. Rick Candidate for East Hampton Town Trustee Defend These Rights Amagansett October 26, 2015 To the Editor, “Vote for candidates who support public beach access.” Yes, please! Wait, are there candidates who are against public beach access? I haven’t met any, and I’ve met every local candidate. If I could add to these signs you may be seeing, I’d say: “Vote for trustees who will preserve our heritage, the resources we depend on, the independence of the trustees, and the Dongan Patent that grants them power as an autonomous body.” But that would be a very long sign, plus, I’ve met all the candidates, they all want this, no matter who has endorsed them. Vote for people you know and trust, but read between the lines, do your own research, and don’t let ads make choices for you. The tired argument that some candidates won’t defend the trustee’s rights or won’t protect the public’s rights to our own beaches, is a desperate move. It’s untrue, and it’s even a bit offensive to a candidate like myself who will fight tooth and nail to defend these rights. The current trustees and some of those running want to continue their slow-moving and reactive management style. They are faced with new candidates who are truly passionate, diverse, and well suited to make the changes we all want to see. We don’t want to sacrifice any of the trustees’ authority, but some of us would like to see the trustees be more cooperative. What an idea. Recognizing the fact that the Department of Environmental Conservation exists does not pose a threat to trustee authority. If anything, it helps it. The trustees are way older than the D.E.C., but they both have common goals. They may step on each other’s toes, but simply taking a stance that they don’t exist is childish. I am an older brother. Yes, I pre-date my brother, but denying the fact that he exists would be ridiculous. It would also be bad for our relationship. The good older brother would say, “We are both here, I may be older and wiser, but I will work with you because it benefits us both.” To deny his existence would eliminate any help he may be able to offer me. The trustees are more local than the D.E.C., so they know our waters better, that’s why their powers must be defended, but to use that power well they must cooperate with other agencies. We need a change. We need people who are passionate about the job, people who will not only show up to meetings, but speak their minds. We need people of diverse backgrounds to fill the nine seats, or else why have nine of them? We need baymen, we need naturalists, we need the tech-savvy, we need locals who live on our waters, and we need people with science background who will not just collect data, but use it to take bold steps in cleaning up our waters and protecting us from erosion. We need scallops. We need change because we need a future. We can’t afford to continue on a path of declining water quality and political bickering. We have a team of Democratic candidates who believe in public access, defense of the trustees’ rights, and the Dongan Patent, but also believe in cooperation with the town board, the public, and even the D.E.C. The trustees have a rich history and a crucial role in preserving the environment and traditions of East Hampton; there is no candidate who will dispute this, but there is a varying amount of passion for such preservation. Vote for candidates who are passionate about doing the job. Vote Tyler Armstrong and the Democratic line on Tuesday. TYLER ARMSTRONG Open Communications East Hampton October 25, 2015 Dear David, I want to thank you for your endorsement in this very important town trustee race. As the only newspaper that closely follows the trustees, your support is most appreciated. In recent weeks I have submitted letters explaining why it’s important for the town trustees to accept the responsibilities we expect from elected officials. Our water quality is suffering due to global environmental stress. However, our current trustees prefer to concentrate their efforts by publicly head-butting with town and village officials regarding jurisdictions. Most of those issues could have been avoided had they assigned liaisons to the various boards. Open communication can go a long way. Historically, the trustees would meet twice a month, first at Town Hall, followed by a work session on Bluff Road two weeks later. Shortly after the current clerk took office, all meetings were moved to Bluff Road. The room can accommodate maybe six to eight people beyond the trustees, their attorney, and secretary. Most attendees have to stand in the hall, beyond earshot of what is transpiring in the meeting room. Active participation by the public is near impossible at times. By design, the public is discouraged to attend these meetings. The Democratic trustee candidates’ team will, if elected, open communications with all town and village boards by assigning liaisons. We will be present when issues of trustee interest arise, and start work to resolve them immediately, in a civil manner. We are also proposing to move the trustee meetings back to Town Hall, where it belongs. Constituents should be able attend in relative comfort and have the opportunity to participate. An elected board must allow all interested residents to voice their concerns without physical walls impeding access. Please vote for the trustee candidates on Row A for responsible stewardship of our precious public resources and put the trust back in trustee. Sincerely, Francis J. Bock Democratic Candidate For Town Trustee No Supporting Statistics Amagansett October 26, 2015 Dear Editor, From reading last week’s Star letters, it would seem that Ira Barocas’s definition of “balance and common sense” is to write a letter full of half-truths with no supporting statistics and to attack people in a vicious way without naming them. He just can’t seem to summon up the backbone it takes to man up and name the people he’s trashing. His targets were Rick Drew, Rona Klopman, Tyler Armstrong, Brian Byrnes, and Bill Taylor — they should be proud of being attacked by so small a man. I guess he feels that by attacking other candidates his friend Deborah Klughers has a better chance of being re-elected. I take offense at the description of Rick Drew as a “severely compromised trustee candidate.” Rick owns an East Hampton home outside of Lazy Point, in addition to his Lazy Point house, so I guess that’s a huge sin in the world of Barocas: All people must adhere to his economic model. Rick works at a surf shop in East Hampton, so according to Barocas he “exploits the town’s beaches for free for profit.” Using that logic, the fishermen, baymen, kayak-rental stores, a hardware store selling boogie boards, the snack trucks at the beaches, etc., are all exploiting the beaches and town waters. No businesses could run in Barocas’s world without “exploiting the resources of East Hampton town.” I have known Rick for over 20 years. He is a kind, gentle, honest, bright, and hard-working family man with a serious commitment to environmental issues. He listens to all opinions and would make a terrific addition to the trustee board. Ira uses phrases like “some,” “a great majority,” “others,” “many,” when describing people who don’t spend 12 months in Lazy Point. There are only about 50 families — how hard is it to say the exact number? The statement “some lessees rent their homes” is a fine example. The word “some,” in logic, implies one or more. As a matter of fact, two houses at Lazy Point on leased land are rented, one year round and one during the summer. The trustees approved of both and get 2 percent (soon to be 4 percent) of the rent. All of his statements with quantifiers are invalid without numerical backup. As for affordable housing, it is true that 70 and 80 years ago that was the traditional use of Lazy Point. It was sprinkled with shacks with no indoor plumbing (read: outhouses), no electric, no insulation, no running water (read: hand pump over the sink), and no heat except for an occasional coal stove. Had the residents of Lazy Point not updated, added on to, and improved the property, that’s what would be there today. That’s hardly sanitary living, and impossible to inhabit in the winter. Today, through no fault of the lessees, the cheapest house would be $400,000 to $500,000 and be about 500 square feet. A buyer would not be able to get a mortgage, so a lower-income buyer would be priced out, and a family of four couldn’t make it in 500 square feet. So much for affordable housing. And Barocas’s friend Deborah Klughers was the one who suggested increasing the yearly lease to $6,000, making it even more unaffordable for an economically struggling household. And finally, the real Barocas shows up, calling for a townwide reassessment of properties. I guess he’ll put up the $4.5 million it’ll cost the town to reassess and reimburse the low-income earners and senior citizens who could be driven from their homes when a reassessment raises their town taxes. Ira Barocas: making no sense, using faulty logic, and having no realistic thoughts. BOB ELDI Eager to Work Amagansett October 25, 2015 Dear David, Thank you to everyone in this special community who took the time to chat with me as I campaigned through town these past few months. In front of stores, post offices, delis, at meetings and events, I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet so many citizens of East Hampton who are interested in all aspects of our town government and to discuss their questions and concerns about the board of trustees and its duties. I am eager to dedicate my energy to the post of trustee and work on the important issues of water quality, protection of our bays and beaches, improving the relationship among town and state agencies to preserve the unique environment of our town. I would greatly appreciate your support on Election Day, Nov. 3. You can vote for me on the Democratic, Independent, or Working Families Party lines. I look forward to working for you and for East Hampton. Sincerely, RONA KLOPMAN The Dongan Patent Springs October 23, 2015 ear David, As a two-term East Hampton Town trustee seeking re-election, it is disheartening yet not surprising to see mudslinging in full force in the race for town trustee. What I am surprised by is the attack on the very instrument that created not only the trustees and this community, but what quite possibly formed the root of democracy in America. Out of necessity for self-preservation, the trustees practiced the earliest form of representative government: of the people, by the people, for the people. The trustees act purely on behalf of the public. It’s the only way, since trustee land is public land, and public land is trustee land. The beaches and waters, managed by the trustees on behalf of the public, built and kept this community vibrant and whole. This arrangement has worked well for over 300 years, and I will do everything in my power to keep it that way. With the modern challenges today’s trustees face, now is the time to embrace, not disparage the Dongan Patent. We must elect trustee candidates who know and respect where we come from, in order to lead us into the future with trustee holdings, our public lands, intact for generations to come. The Dongan Patent was and still is the freeholders and commonalty of East Hampton’s social fabric, whose threads have withstood the wear and tear of generations and centuries. Although my name and likeness appears on campaign literature which disrespects the Dongan Patent and offers political rhetoric as well as false information, I reject the content in its entirety. I was one of two candidates named on the literature who rebuffed it prior to public dissemination, yet it was used anyway. I wonder if any of my running mates have actually read the Dongan Patent, or the Nicholls Patent for that matter, which (incongruently) was pictured in the ad denigrating the historical and legal significance of the Dongan Patent. How can candidates discount the validity of the document(s) that created the board to which they hope to be elected? To me, it’s like running for office in America while denying the Constitution! This one piece of campaign literature ignited and fueled the partisan fire, which does not belong in the trustee race, or in trustee discussions and determinations for that matter. I have not witnessed partisan politics during my tenure as a trustee, and hope it remains that way forever. Both sides argue that the public should choose all-Democrat or all-Republican trustees. This is not representative government. In fact, the earliest push for representative government in America was by the East Hampton Town Trustees. In addition to partisan political attempts to infiltrate the trustees, and declining water quality, and public-property exploitation, and environmental best practices, and striking a balance to provide the best use of public lands for all to enjoy for at least the next 350 or so years, the most important issues facing the trustees today are encroachment onto public property, privatization of beaches and restricting access to public lands, and challenging trustee authority and autonomy. My position has been and will be to diligently work on the public’s behalf to maintain public access (even if it means engaging in legal battles) while effectively managing, improving, and expanding the public’s commonlands. I will continue to be an unwavering, forceful protector of the public’s interest in real property, as well as historical and newfound rights. Please keep in mind we need a qualified team of like-minded trustees, in addition to solid legal advice, which is why it is imperative that Bonackers, locals, and those “local by choice” carefully choose the candidates who have and will stand with and for the public, with full respect of the institute they seek to be part of. The following quote from the trustee journals was written centuries ago, and should be embraced and practiced in order to thwart the jurisdictional challenges and affronts on the trustees today: “The government must embody the people’s will or be a shadow. It must be strong to act or be defied. It must be swift to strike or fail of opportunity. It must drown all discord or be overwhelmed by it.” Harsh? Perhaps, but not harsher than the reality we could face if we do not elect trustees who will look to the past to defend the future, and not allow other agencies or entities to offer mandates or usurp trustee authority, or cave to special interests. I am thankful to have been able to serve for two terms as your town trustee. I ask the public to vote for me on Election Day on the Democratic or Working Family Party lines, so that I can help to uphold the trustees and keep the public’s beaches, waters, and commonlands (allocated centuries ago to our early settlers under royal patents, and borrowed from the children of tomorrow) public and usable, forever. DEBORAH KLUGHERS Support for Rona East Hampton October 26, 2015 To the Editor, I am writing today, which I never do, to show my support for Rona Klopman as one of our next town trustees. She is an energetic woman who I believe will get the job done. Ms. Rona Klopman has a longstanding history of participating and attending all sorts of town board meetings. She has the time and passion to support changes that this town needs, and that I feel the town is ready for. She is a very hard worker and will protect and support the beaches, which are this community’s livelihood. Please do your part and turn out for this year’s elections. Every vote makes a difference, and we cannot solve the problems if we do not at least vote toward better solutions. Thank you. DR. RACHEL LYS Trustee Responsibilities East Hampton October 23, 2015 Dear David, Why do we rely on hired scientists and professionals who only research but do not propose solutions to the very problems that threaten our way of life? Our freshwater ponds are being strangled by a bacteria that is taking over all ponds from the East Coast to Lake Erie. Erosion will take away our homes. Two giants that threaten our life as we know it, and we — East Hampton, of all places — lie stagnant with the use of scientists and professionals who specialize in research only. These are trustee responsibilities. The same scientists have been monitoring our cyanobacteria problem for three years, no improvement. Erosion solutions look like the problem rather then the solution, and some of these solutions are brought to us by the very people who put in the jetties in Westhampton Beach and our village. I would like to be a participant rather than a complainer in finding the best and the brightest professionals that exist to stop these killers, both for us and for the East Coast. East Hampton will again be the leader in the field. PAT MANSIR Democrat and Independent Candidate for Trustee Let’s Reward Her Amagansett October 26, 2015 I’m writing to support the candidacy of Rona Klopman for East Hampton Town Trustee. As a decades-long Amagansett Citizens Advisory Committee member, and longtime president of the Amagansett East Association, Rona has been active in representing the interests of those who love, respect, and revere the beauty of where we live. Let’s reward her perseverance, leadership, and commitment to our community with election to the board of trustees of East Hampton. SUSAN RETZKY Worked Tirelessly Amagansett October 26, 2015 Dear Editor: Rona Klopman is running for town trustee and she’d be a great addition to this important board. Rona is a longtime resident of Beach Hampton and president of the Amagansett East Association. I’ve worked with Rona on the Amagansett East Association board for many years. Her dynamic leadership and good relations with community leaders have resulted in real improvements to the quality of life in our beautiful beach community. Rona is passionate about protecting our beaches, our roads, and our legacy. She’s worked tirelessly for the association and for the greater good of the town. Her energy, commitment, and sound judgment will help assure the continued protection of our precious natural resources. I urge Rona Klopman’s support. Sincerely, Catherine Roxbury When You Share a Fence East Hampton October 25, 2015 Dear Editor: Pat Mansir is running to be an East Hampton Town trustee. She and I have lived next to one another for more than 40 years. It may sound strange to endorse someone because they have been a great neighbor, but you actually learn a good deal about someone when you share a fence. I watched her raise three sons, run a business (the Sears merchant catalog store was hers, and later the JCPenney catalog store, along with Pantigo Appliance and Hardware. I watched her volunteer (as scout leader, as instructor for the American Heart Association and American Red Cross, as a member of the school system’s screening panel for special education). I watched her work for the town — 10 years on the planning board (vice chairwoman and chairwoman for 4 years) and 12 years as a town councilwoman. Over our fence and in her kitchen we have talked about town concerns — the preservation of land, the deer, PSEG, affordable housing. If you have a problem, she searches for a solution. There is decency, honesty, gravity, and graciousness in her, all qualities you rarely associate with politicians. I am proud to be her neighbor and would be honored to have her as trustee. LENA TABORI Time for a Change East Hampton October 26, 2015 David, Thank you for your endorsement. Your newspaper, East Hampton’s newspaper of record, is the only local paper that pays much attention to the trustees, so your endorsement is valued. I agree with you that there is a need for new leadership on the board, given all the issues facing the towns shorelines and waterways. The trustees, under the leadership of the current Republican majority, are not powerful, in fact they are paralyzed on vital environmental issues. They refuse to recognize the Department of Environmental Conservation and apply for permits, yet they are afraid to act on their own. In Accabonac Harbor, the Gerard Drive culvert sits clogged and useless, while another 20 acres of shellfishing grounds is closed. Time for a change. A group of Democratic/Independent candidates has been meeting weekly learning and discussing the issues, getting ready to hit the ground running. These meetings, every Friday evening for months, were organized and attended by myself, Francis Bock, Rick Drew, Rona Klopman, Pat Mansir, Tyler Armstrong, Brian Byrnes, and Zachary Cohen and have been very productive. We ask for your vote, on Election Day vote Row A all the way. BILL TAYLOR Can Be Instrumental Montauk October 26, 2015 Dear David, I would like to take advantage of your letters column to introduce myself to the voting community. My name is Jim Grimes, and I am running for East Hampton town trustee. I am a fourth-generation Montauk resident, whose family settled here at the turn of the last century as part of the fishing community. My family also goes back to 1639 in Canada as fishermen. I grew up in Montauk, went to the Montauk School and East Hampton High School. While attending East Hampton High School, I worked at the New York Ocean Science Lab, which stood where Rough Riders Condominiums and East Hampton Shellfish Hatchery are now. I attended Alfred State College and graduated with a degree in ornamental horticulture. I have owned a successful landscape contracting business and garden center for almost 30 years. I was brought up to believe that it is everyone’s responsibility to do what they can for their community. To that end, I have been a member of the Montauk Fire Department since 1970, held many titled positions, and now serve as a trustee on the fire department benevolent association. I have been involved as an adult leader with the Montauk Boy Scouts since 1996, serving as scoutmaster for many years, and am currently the troop committee chairman. I am on the board of directors of the Montauk Chamber of Commerce and am a member of the town of East Hampton Nature Preserve Committee. I am also a past member of the Montauk Historical Society. Over the years, I have volunteered with environmental groups, such as the South Fork Natural History Society, the Nature Conservancy, and Cornell Cooperative Extension to name a few. I believe the East Hampton Town Trustees perform a valuable role in preserving the natural beauty of our area and maintaining the quality of our beaches and waterways. If elected, my goal is to improve the relationships between the trustees and town and village departments and outside agencies, and to focus on moving forward plans that are in the works to deal with algae problems in our waters. I am disappointed in the political advertising that I have been seeing during this campaign. Rather than finger-pointing and spewing inaccuracies, I prefer to point out that the trustees are made up of members from both parties, and neither party is totally “responsible” for the actions of the board. I have been attending meetings for quite a while and feel that I can be instrumental in bringing the board together to work more efficiently and bring fair, open and honest communication to the issues that come before the board. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to the public through your letters column. JIM GRIMES For Republican Trustees Springs October 25, 2015 Dear Editor: In the upcoming election, your vote for our trustees could be the most important one you cast. It seems to me that the Democratic trustee candidates by their own admission and their campaign ads want to give up local control of our beach privileges and waters to federal, state, and other governments. Once we give up our right to manage our own waterways, the control over our wetlands and beaches will be lost forever. Local individuals who live and work in East Hampton know our waterways best and need to keep our right to manage them — not a person sitting behind a desk in Albany. Not to mention that beach access as we now know it will be lost as well. Please help protect East Hampton by voting for our Republican slate of trustees. Sincerely, KURT KAPPEL Their Autonomy East Hampton October 26, 2015 Dear Mr. Rattray, As most people know, my dad, Jim McCaffrey, was a town trustee before me. I remember he carried an article he cut out from The Star in his wallet. It referred to the then-supervisor of East Hampton, Mrs. Cathy Lester, claiming that the town would be better off if the board of trustees were abolished. This thought was also made publicly by prior Democratic supervisors. Last week an ad for the Democratic candidates for town trustee appeared in your paper that said basically the same thing. These candidates feel there is no value to respecting or utilizing the benefits of the Dongan Patent for East Hampton residents. I guess, should those candidates be elected, they’ll give away their autonomy, abolishing their ability to act as a governmental body to benefit the township. It makes me uncomfortable how this thought process has persisted in the Democratic Party. As an incumbent trustee seeking another term, and having learned a lot about the position from my dad, I just couldn’t let this connection to past comments go without letting folks know. Sincerely, SEAN McCAFFREY My Personal Issues Springs October 24, 2015 Dear Mr. Rattray, A recent article criticized the board of trustees for the absence of members from recent meetings. Once again, I would like to let people know there are personal matters which kept me away from the meetings. Most significantly was the vandalism of my boat and fishing equipment. As a commercial fisherman, I need my boat and equipment to provide for my family. Without it, my family suffers. So, I have been keeping watch over my financial livelihood. On a happier note, another reason I have been preoccupied is because my wife and I recently welcomed our second child. So, now that we have covered my absence from meetings, let me tell you that it is not our clerk Diane McNally’s, responsibility to make the public aware of my personal issues. Nor did my absence or anyone else’s absence prevent the board of trustees from doing their job. As you noted in your article, Diane was present at every meeting, and so was a majority of the board members. All the trustees need to hold a meeting and make decisions is a majority. Any implication that the board could not move forward quickly with decisions is ridiculous. It’s more likely that whatever issue is before the board requires adequate review before acting. The article was a poorly veiled attempt to discredit the current board prior to an election, not a newsworthy matter. Sincerely, NAT MILLER Expert Knowledge Montauk October 15, 2015 To the Editor, I have had the privilege and pleasure to have worked alongside Margaret Turner on various committees assigned to us by the past administration. We committee members worked assiduously to produce research data, and suggested solutions concerning various town issues, the last being the lighting committee by the present administration bipartisan support and its subsequent enactment into law. Believe it or not, not one committee member asked other about political affiliations or persuasions when we performed our duties. (Full disclosure: I am a lifetime registered Democrat, and presently registered as an Independent.) Margaret Turner brought wisdom, reasoning, and expert knowledge of complicated issues to the table for full discussion and resolvement. While other candidates for town board are viable, I believe that Margaret Turner’s intelligence, dedication and business acumen stands above the rest and she will be an asset to the board no matter the political affiliations of the new board. Respectfully submitted, THOMAS W. MILNE A Wealth of Knowledge East Hampton October 26, 2015 Dear David: On Nov. 3, we will be voting for town board members and trustees. I’ve known Rona Klopman, a candidate for trustee, for many years, and having served with her on several committees I can attest to her dedication and commitment. She is a tireless worker who attends numerous meetings of many board and town committees, giving her a wealth of knowledge of all aspects of town government. If elected, Rona will be a great asset to the board of trustees. SUE AVEDON Serving the People East Hampton October 25, 2015 To the Editor: Pat Mansir is a candidate for East Hampton Town trustee, endorsed by both the Democratic and Independence Parties. Pat has dedicated many years to serving the people of East Hampton Town as a councilwoman on the town board, as a member of the planning board, and as a trustee. While on the town board, she was the board liaison to the trustees. She has theexperience, wisdom, and insight needed to deal with complex trustee issues. Pat will work to protect our precious environment. Your vote for Pat Mansir is a vote for open, accessible, and accountable government. Her record of public service speaks for itself. GLORIA HERMAN Vote for Rick Amagansett October 26, 2015 Dear Editor, I have been Rick Drew’s neighbor for many years. I have watched him raise his family and fish the nearby waters. Rick’s a hard-working concerned parent and keen observer of our town waters and shoreline. His local experience, knowledge, and determination will serve him well as East Hampton Town trustee. Please, vote for Rick Drew on Election Day. Thank you, CHARLIE WHITMORE Indispensable New York City October 25, 2015 Dear David, I have been a neighbor of Rona Klopman for a long time, sharing or observing her work on many important community organizations. Like Rona, I live here because I love the extraordinary coastline of the East End, its exquisite ocean and bay beaches and beautiful dunes. I am very excited that she is running for town trustee because I know she will bring exceptional dedication and competence to that important board and its crucial mission of preserving the water environment. Rona has been an indispensable member of many community organizations including her neighborhood association of which she is president, the Amagansett Citizens Advisory Committee, the emergency preparedness committee, the litter committee, the East Hampton Democrats, her temple, and the East Hampton Library Authors Night. She brings intelligence and energy to her work with each of them and a determination to solve problems and get things done. She is an excellent and tireless researcher, has a terrific memory, is generous with her time, helpful and cooperative with colleagues, takes responsibility, and is one of the hardest workers I know. Rona has observed and studied the trustees and believes they can and must play a stronger and more effective role in preserving our bays and beaches, the purity of our waters, and the preservation of our coastline. She has the interest and commitment to help do that. We will all benefit by electing her to the board. Sincerely, JILL DANIS
Published 4 years ago
Last updated 4 years ago
Letters to the Editor: Trustees 10.29.15
October 29, 2015