Successful Fair
East Hampton Village
June 23, 2025
Dear Editor:
A very grateful 130-year-old organization sends many thank-yous to our very generous community.
The Ladies Village Improvement Society could not have had yet another successful fair on June 14 were it not for the help of so many. We extend special thanks to Mayor Larsen and the dedicated employees of East Hampton Village for their essential contributions. Among the others are our generous donors, the East Hampton High School Key Club students, the community service students from the East Hampton Middle School with members from the DoGoodBeGood club, and Phoenix House. It goes without saying that we rely on and are indebted to L.V.I.S. members and volunteers.
We all know that great accomplishments are the work of consistently committed people who so generously give of their precious time. Yes, it does take a village — in fact it takes a township and beyond.
Thanks, too, East Hampton Star, for your great coverage.
Happy summer and best to all,
JOYCE TUTTLE
President
The Ladies Village Improvement Society
Greeted With Warmth
East Hampton
June 17, 2025
David,
I attended the May meeting of the East Hampton Village Board to discuss an issue.
Before I went, I was warned that in order to have a successful hearing, I should bring a group of supporters, carrying placards and willing to make their feelings heard. The crowd should be large and vociferous.
I arrived with my husband, three friends, and much trepidation. I was so wrong!
I was greeted with great warmth. The board, and especially Mayor Jerry Larsen, listened courteously and made me feel as if this was an important problem which should be solved.
Many questions were asked of and by the board to the citizens in the audience as well as the board members and the mayor. Using this method of brainstorming, an amenable solution was brought to fruition for all. It truly was a wonderful lesson in civics and civility.
Thank you, East Hampton Village Board and Mayor Jerry Larsen. You have restored my faith in humanity.
Sincerely,
JUDY MENCHER
Two Holes Potholes
East Hampton
June 21, 2025
To the Editor,
The new roundabout is terrific. The repaving of Stephen Hand’s Path on both sides of the roundabout is terrific. The repaving of Long Lane is terrific. The small repaving of Two Holes of Water Road is not good. There are many, many deep potholes for about two miles from where they stopped paving on Two Holes of Water Road. Why did the town not continue?
They fixed all the other potholes on the streets connecting to the roundabout but did not fix the potholes on Two Holes.
The town recently repaved South Breeze Drive. It’s fabulous. Why not do Two Holes of Water Road? Numerous side streets have been repaved. The town should repave Two Holes of Water Road, which is traveled by many cars and trucks, is a through street to Whooping Hollow and Swamp, connects to the roundabout, and has been in bad shape for years.
JANE ADELMAN
Cost Canard
Wainscott
June 17, 2025
To the Editor,
Your June 5 article on Blade’s electric-chopper publicity stunt states that litigation to defend the town’s right to control its own airport “has cost the town millions.” This is a falsehood repeatedly promoted by Blade, aviation lobbies, and their local hangers-on. As is without question, 100 percent of the town’s airport legal expenses are, in fact, paid out of landing and other aviation fees dedicated to an airport fund that may be used solely for airport expenses and costs.
The “cost town millions” canard has long been front and center in the debate over the future of the airport. I strongly suggest that The Star publish a prominent correction as soon as possible.
TOM OGDEN
Not Even Trying
Amagansett
June 20, 2025
To the Editor:
The new owner of Gosman’s was observed “replacing pilings and decking” and with a “crane on a barge” engaged in “dredging activity.” “The work was being conducted without required approvals,” wrote Christopher Walsh, “Slow Start at New Gosman’s,” in your June 12 issue.
I diagnose billionairism, the airy belief that the laws don’t apply, produced by the ownership of so much money that the payment of fines, or of legal fees in a multiple of what it would have cost to get the permits, becomes (in Ralph Kramden’s words) “a mere bag of shells.” (Witness Q and the lawless Duryea’s expansion.)
Unfortunately, as I have mentioned here before, the town not only seems to be inept at defending its own authority — it seems not even to be trying these days. Perhaps we are converging on a philosophy under which town boards don’t exist to govern billionaires?
For democracy in East Hampton,
JONATHAN WALLACE
Toilsome Events
East Hampton Village
June 14, 2025
Dear David,
Comments by Marcos Baladron and Alex Balsam attempt to reassure the reader in Christopher Gangemi’s article “Updated Brewery Plans Still irk Neighbor,” June 12, that issuing special-event permits will eliminate fears of loud music, traffic, and crowds on Toilsome Lane and the neighborhood if the beer hall is built, but it will not resolve the problem at all!
Mr. Baladron, the village administrator, said, “There’s no way they’d be able to have the type of parties [Michael Aaron is] referencing at that location. I won’t allow it.” Mr. Baladron not allowing it is the good news, but what happens if or when Mr. Baladron retires and there is a new administrator who might like the idea of big events and big bands at the brewery? Too bad for the neighbors if that happens.
Mr. Balsam, counsel for Mill Hill Realty, said, “...we’re looking to avoid covenants.... Look, we know the parameters. We can’t be a nuisance.” Once again, what happens if Mr. Balsam is replaced with someone who does not “know the parameters” and is able to push the current or a new village administrator to allow big band outdoor events on Toilsome Lane?
The above shows the urgent need, that I suggested in the article, for a subcommittee to be formed — or consider a mediator — that includes neighbors, the representatives of the design review board, and Mr. Balsam to work out a plan that would restrict, in detail, limitations for any special event. This agreement should be part of the final agreement between Mill Hill Realty and the Village of East Hampton before the design review board gives final approval for their permit.
Your caring neighbor,
MICHAEL AARON
At Its Best
East Hampton
June 19, 2025
Hello David,
Long time! I was blessed to be born, nurtured and educated in Inwood, Manhattan, N.Y.C.
My car gave out recently, and while I?m sorting out a replacement, I?ve found myself hitchhiking again. One morning, I hitched from Amagansett to East Hampton — just five miles, but an $80 Uber ride. I?ve always liked hitching, but this time I was especially motivated: If my Inwood-Irish-born parents and brothers knew I paid $80 for five miles, they?d be spinning in their graves.
A man named Ricardo picked me up. He?s lived on the East End for 50 years and is a proud U.S. citizen originally from Chile. At age 13, he survived a concentration camp during Chile?s revolution before escaping to America.
As we drove, we spoke openly about race — Black, brown, and white — and the quiet shame and pain that often go unspoken in our country. Ricardo shared a story that stuck with me: He was once pulled over in New York City, and, after checking his documents, the officer asked for his green card. Ricardo calmly said he didn?t have one: he?s a citizen. What he didn?t say, but thought, was, ?I?ve been American longer than you?ve been alive, officer.?
It?s hard to ignore that police don?t ask white people for green cards — even though they account for about 5 percent of our undocumented population. Asians account for about another 15 percent.
Most of the people who stop to pick me up are brown. Why? I?m not sure. Is it empathy? Shared experience? A cultural habit carried over from countries where hitchhiking is more common?
I choose to believe it's simple kindness — a small act of resistance in a time when our national mood toward brown people is often cold, if not hostile.
As I prepared to hop out near my stop, Ricardo asked where I was headed. ?Just about a mile off 27,? I said. He nodded and, without hesitation, turned off the road and drove me straight there. I?ve found this to be a common gesture among the folks who offer me rides: people going the extra mile, quite literally.
And that, I think, is America at its best.
Warmly,
KEVIN REYNOLDS
Need New Leadership
Springs
June 17, 2025
To the Editor,
The No Kings demonstrations across the nation were encouraging, millions of us in thousands of cities, towns, and villages expressing our First Amendment rights to peacefully protest. Standing with friends and strangers, young and old, all of us standing together, except, down the road in Water Mill, at the Soros estate, the Clintons, the Obamas, the elites of the Democratic Party, who, forgoing the opportunity to join the millions of us demonstrating our displeasure with the direction of our nation, chose to attend the wedding of the Soros heir and his bride.
I was married at City Hall, my mother-in-law to be, a few friends, and a Champagne breakfast at Longchamps, long gone but not forgotten, across the street. Flying in the guests from across the nation, the cost to the bridegroom a pittance and seemingly paying homage to the largest contributor to the Democratic Party.
Sadly, or perhaps happily, we need new leadership, to not realize that a million-dollar-plus wedding in lieu of attending the No Kings demonstrations was disrespectful.
The participants in the demonstrations are a movement with a purpose, to regain and protect our democracy from the ravages of the vandals, a life or death struggle for our very nation.
The New York Times reported the couple was thinking of eloping. Guess they couldn’t find anyone to hold the ladder.
PETER GOODMAN
All Is Well?
East Hampton
June 21, 2025
To the Editor,
In her letter from Montauk dated June 14, Bea Derrico attacks the actions of frustrated citizens and then condemns news media for not castigating such behavior. Yet our good citizen seemingly disregards similar and much worse actions of the Jan. 6 rioters — and the forgiveness issued from on high.
Shall I conclude that so long as the action is consistent with one’s personal views all is well and forgiven, and only actions emanating from the other political side are to be held up for ridicule and punishment? For shame, Ms. Derrico. “United we shall stand. Divided we shall fall.” Let’s all get together to define what is good and right, agree upon a goal, and accept differing paths for the journey to a united state and country.
PAUL ERIC RUDDER
Provide Your Sources
Montauk
June 20, 2025
To the Editor,
Dear Ms. Derrico, I very much enjoyed your recent letter to The East Hampton Star regarding the millions of paid political agitators in our country. Would you please be so kind as to provide your sources of information and any knowledge you have regarding who is actually paying these people? Any contact info you have (email addresses, cell numbers, Facebook friends, etc.) regarding the bankrollers of the agitators would be greatly appreciated.
I would actually like to sign on as a paid political agitator so I could become very wealthy. With my new riches, I would sell my humble abode in Montauk and buy a membership in the exclusive Mar-a-Lago club and perhaps even get to dine with my beloved führer while he quaffed down a cheeseburger and drank a Diet Coke while I quaffed down a medium-rare ribeye and sucked on a Maker’s Mark Manhattan on the rocks.
Perhaps after sharing a meal we could both quote Rodney King and say: “Can’t we all get along?” But I do not think so.
As a good Irish-Scots American, I would never shake hands with the devil.
Cheers,
BRIAN POPE
Literally Painful
Montauk
June 19, 2025
To the Editor,
You know, the letters that Bea Derrico writes in The Star are literally painful and sad to read. It amazes me how misinformed she really is. Both CNN and MSNBC have a liberal slant to their reporting, which is a necessary balance to the trash that FOX and Newsmax report. I hate to clue you in, but there is absolutely no journalistic value on either of those networks. Chris Ruddy (chief executive officer and majority owner of Newsmax) and Rupert Murdoch (founder and owner of FOX News) are both Trump-Republican lackeys! Remember both FOX News and Newsmax had to pay Dominion Voting Systems for the nonstop lies they relentlessly talked about regarding voter fraud. FOX paid Dominion $787 million, and Newsmax settled for an undisclosed amount. FOX news is still awaiting the trial date with Smartmatic, which refuses to settle. Both of these media outlets knowingly lied and spread falsehoods regarding election results — and Bea Derrico thinks CNN and MSNBC should be taken off the air. I guess Bea conveniently forgot or did not understand about those issues.
Regarding Los Angeles, the demonstrations were peaceful at the start. Then our commander in chief decided to throw gasoline on the fire with 2,100 National Guard and 700 Marines. If anyone thinks that was necessary and did not escalate the temperature of the situation, I know you are misinformed.
This country has been dealing with an immigration policy that was established in 1986 under the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Since then, there have been three separate immigration bills (Bush, Obama, and Biden administrations) that were written by bipartisan committees in Congress, which the Republican speaker at the time refused to bring to the floor for a full vote. By the way, each president said he would sign the legislation. These bills addressed all of the immigration talking points that we are living with today. Republicans have been using immigration as a wedge issue for decades; they do not want to fix it — they want to run their campaigns on it. I have to laugh when I read (something I am sure Bea Derrico does not do) that Texas and Florida have the largest illegal immigrant population of any state and we never hear of immigration agents pounding on doors or dragging people from their workplace. This situation in Los Angeles is an attack on blue cities and states.
You may dislike what you hear on MSNBC or CNN, but there is a difference between them and the networks of FOX and Newsmax. Most important, FOX and Newsmax have no journalists and they don’t get fired for lying. Truth hurts!
ROBERT IHLE
Positivity
Amagansett
June 23, 2025
To the Editor,
Positivity is what any of us want. But with that it opens up for criticism and the potential for counter-viewpoints. When those are shut down only allowing one type of voice to be heard we lose an open and fair society.
Still here,
JOE KARPINSKI
NO Way to Tell
East Hampton
June 23, 2025
To the Editor,
The endless lying by our president is generally untroubling. Cartoon characters act the way cartoon characters act. They don’t develop.
But now the bombs are falling, and we have no way to tell if we were right to join in. Glorious statements are already being “walked back.”
We can rely on one indisputable fact: He did not do his homework. Never has, never will.
TOM MACKEY
Frightening Gamble
North Haven
June 23, 2025
Dear David:
We just got pushed into a frightening summer gamble. It’s always wise to give credit where credit is due, but this bet might not end well.
Netanyahu is the authoritarian, bullying leader of Israel, and Donald Trump is the authoritarian, bullying leader of the United States, and it serves us best in the face of real fear to realize that evil people might actually do the right thing once in a while. But maybe not. That said, we need to carefully measure our reaction to the recent bombings in Iran by our United States military.
Nuclear weapons present the maximum real threat to civilization. The continuing proliferation of these most-violent and deadly weapons adds to worldwide risks of accidents and deliberate use by unstable misanthropic people and/or their governments. The civilized world must not allow this to continue.
Unfortunately, we have become Netanyahu’s pawn in a regional situation that has dragged our country into committing potential acts of war. Unauthorized by Congress, this event raised the question of our own president again failing to follow constitutional law by seeking congressional approval for this massive military strike into Iran’s sovereign territory. Israel wished to destroy Iran’s nuclear sites, but it was obvious Israel needed our military equipment, talent, and skill to accomplish these airstrikes. In our democratic republic, our president cannot authorize such an attack without our country being directly under threat.
If Iran decides to negotiate for peace it could be said this was a good gamble; however, the possibility of retaliation leading to an extended war seems possible as well. We are on the brink of possible disaster guided by a president that has no respect for the Constitution and has staffed his cabinet and all government agencies with shockingly unqualified, incompetent yes-men and yes-women. His own advice is all his own, and his ego is his greatest concern. This is not democracy functioning properly or safely.
As of today, we must all hope we luck out and Iran withdraws from its nuclear escalation. A democracy was designed to make better decisions than this.
ANTHONY CORON