Big Effect
East Hampton
October 18, 2026
Dear Editor:
During the public comment portion of the Oct. 15 East Hampton Town Board meeting, a group of our neighbors spoke strongly in favor of a year-round ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. I was one of them.
There were many articulate and thought-provoking comments by members of ChangeHampton, a nonprofit formed in 2021 as a volunteer-led environmental advocacy and education group in East Hampton.
Part of its current mission is to promote healthy and sustainable landscaping practices and its website has a petition we can all sign to support the year-round ban of gas-powered leaf blowers.
On my block there are 20 homeowners with lots ranging from one-quarter to three-quarters of an acre who employ landscapers that use gas-powered leaf blowers. Imagine the impact on reducing the carbon footprint if these homeowners would request or demand that their crews use electric leaf blowers. Independent homeowners can have a big effect on our environment with that one change.
Landscapers say electric blowers are not effective and too expensive — not so, as outlined by eco-friendly speakers at the Oct. 15 meeting who offered facts on costs per hour. The new generation of electric outdoor tools are more powerful with long-lasting batteries and can minimize expenses against their gas-powered counterparts
Gas blowers have a negative impact on our environment, our community’s health, and our daily quality of life. These machines emit toxic pollutants, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, that contribute directly to degraded air quality and respiratory problems. The dust clouds they kick up can carry pesticides, mold, and animal waste into the air we breathe.
For those of us living on smaller lots, the impact is unavoidable. We are forced to close our windows, not just to try and shut out the noise, but to keep the smell of gas exhaust from permeating our homes.
This noise pollution is unacceptable. Many gas leaf blowers operate at well over 100 decibels, yet permanent hearing loss begins at 85 decibels
Many who hire these services aren’t even home when the crews arrive. They are here only weekends, away at work, or have the luxury to leave for lunch or shop while the blowers blast.
But many others work from home, care for newborns or young children, or tend to elderly or infirm family members and cannot vacate their premises. They are effectively trapped in their own homes.
Our town code contains articles that say residents have the right to the peaceful and safe enjoyment of our homes and properties. For example: ? 255-1-50 (Nuisances Prohibited): Explicitly bans any trade, industry, or activity that generates smoke, odors, dust, or “obnoxious noises or vibrations disruptive of the quiet enjoyment of neighboring properties.”
Many politicians claim they want to protect our environment, control noise pollution, and preserve our quality of life.
If our elected officials truly care about the environment and the well-being of the people who live here, now is the time for them to prove it by enacting a year-round ban on these dinosaurs
Sincerely,
SUSIE RAKOWSKI
A No-Brainer
Springs
October 19, 2026
Dear Editor,
The article “Hochul Backs Electric-Landscaping Rebates” (Oct. 15) raises some legitimate concerns about the transition to electric landscaping equipment, but many of the claims about electric leaf blowers deserve a closer look.
First, the assertion that electric blowers are only half as powerful as gas blowers is outdated. The newest commercial electric models, including those made by Kress and EGO, deliver blowing power comparable to many professional gas blowers. Battery run time remains a consideration, particularly for large properties, but the technology is advancing rapidly.
Second, while commercial electric equipment can cost more upfront, the claim that it costs four to five times as much is not accurate. Prices vary considerably depending on the equipment, batteries, and charging systems.
More important, the relevant comparison is the total cost of ownership, including fuel, maintenance, and equipment replacement. At ChangeHampton’s recent Electric Leaf Blower Showcase, I interviewed professional landscapers who reported substantial operating savings after switching to electric. One recovered his initial investment within three years.
The Quiet Clean Alliance’s electric-versus-gas cost calculator’s two-year comparison estimates total costs of approximately $3,800 for a Stihl gas blower versus $2,700 for its electric counterpart, including equipment, energy, and maintenance — more than $1,000 cheaper for the electric blower.
Finally, a quieter gas blower is still a highly polluting gas blower. Reducing noise doesn’t eliminate the toxic exhaust. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, gas leaf blowers emit hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and fine particulate matter, all of which contribute to air pollution and threaten human health.
We should take landscapers’ concerns seriously. But we should also recognize how far electric technology has advanced and the substantial economic, environmental, and public health benefits of making the transition. Now that New York will provide point-of-sale rebates to commercial landscapers, the choice is a no-brainer: go electric!
Sincerely,
FRANCESCA RHEANNON
New Information
Poughquag, N.Y.
October 19, 2026
To the Editor:
Andrew Gaites of the town’s Land Acquisition and Management Department has conducted extensive research on the growth of young trees in our woodlands. In his 2018 and 2023 reports, he concluded that deer browsing is having a detrimental effect on forest regeneration. As a remedy, he has urged the town to reduce the deer population by lethal means.
This research began in 2014 and has produced a considerable amount of new information. But because the town board cites it as a major reason for killing deer, we need to take a careful look at it.
The research has a major problem. It doesn’t guard against “investigator bias” —the very real possibility that a scientists’ views and expectations will influence their results. It is not that researchers consciously bias their findings, but they can unwittingly do so. For this reason, they take steps to reduce this possibility.
In his first report, Mr. Gaites said the purpose of his research was “to show scientifically, what some of us already could see was occurring.” It seems that he knew the study’s conclusion before it began. But no steps were taken to avoid the possible effects of this expectation.
For example, the studies might have selected the sapling plots randomly and made sure that measurements were taken by people who didn’t know (were “blind to”) the purpose of the research. But no such cautionary measures have been reported.
Mr. Gaites also has described a deer “exclosure,” a fenced area that deer can’t enter. In it, there is a variety of vegetation that is missing where deer roam. But exclosures are artificial settings.
Others have reported deer’s negatived impact on forest understory in other communities, and it’s important to take a careful look at them, too. I also would like to see investigators broaden their focus and consider the possibility that deer help forests. For example, deer might expand forests through the dispersal of seeds in their droppings.
For now, Mr. Gaites is to be commended for pioneering research on East Hampton’s woodlands, but we cannot yet draw firm conclusions from it.
BILL CRAIN
Says a Lot
Newbury Park, Calif.
October 19, 2026
Hello,
I read your Oct, 15 police logs, including about the shopper whose Audi was taken from the Red Horse Market lot and who traced it himself to Wainscott where officers found it with a driver who said it looked exactly like her rental car and that she had taken it by mistake.
I’m Michael Braun. I served with the USK, the Bavarian police unit for riots and large-scale public order, and today I work in executive protection as founder of MSB Protection, a licensed private patrol operator in California.
Vehicle mix-ups and thefts from busy lots are a routine part of protective work in resort towns, and the detail that the owner could locate his own car says a lot about how much location data now sits in a key fob or a phone, for owners and thieves alike.
Thank you for keeping the logs so readable and human.
Best regards,
MICHAEL BRAUN
Goal: Transparency
Regua, Portugal
October 17, 2026
David,
While traveling, I have been following updates on the Flock Safety debate through The Star and village websites. I found little new information, but on the village home page I noticed Jerry Larsen’s Sept. 25 letter to residents regarding “Public Safety, Trust and Accountability.”
His goal is straightforward: “Keep East Hampton Village safe, protect the rights of our residents, maintain trust in our Police Department, and use common sense in doing all three.”
I’m on board. But I would suggest adding a fourth goal: transparency.
The merits of this technology should continue to be debated and weighed against its shortcomings, particularly its implications for individual privacy. In the meantime, while we await the task force’s report, the village could take one simple step: Add a notice to each sign that currently reads, “No Parking on Village Streets 2 a.m. - 6 a.m.”
The added notice might say: “Automated License Plate Reader Enforcement Activated. Learn more at EastHamptonvillage.gov/ALPR.”
A dedicated village webpage could explain how the system works, what information is collected, how long the data is retained, who may access it, and what safeguards govern its use.
Whatever one’s position on Flock cameras, residents and visitors should know this technology is operating. Transparency is a practical first step toward maintaining the public trust the mayor rightly identifies as essential.
DAVID GANZ
Not There
East Hampton Village
October 15, 2026
Dear Editor,
It is hardly late-breaking news that our country is traversing a period of profound distrust in our democratic institutions. This distrust is evident across the political spectrum and explains, in part, the present instability rife in our democratic system.
This distrust is felt at every level of government, including elections for local offices which customarily have stood at a remove from the entrenched polarization besetting state and federal races. Polarization and distrust are primary drivers of abstentionism, and voter sentiment persuaded that there is nothing on the ballot paper for them is ultimately a defeat for democracy.
These were the concerns that prompted me to encourage greater voter participation by means of a write-in campaign in support of Jerry Larsen for town supervisor. I duly contacted the advertising department of your newspaper and bought three full-page ads explaining how to cast your vote for a candidate whose name does not appear on the ballot. The ads were not polemical in nature. They were strictly informational. The first one was due to appear today; it is not there.
I am aware that The Star endorsed another candidate in the primary for town supervisor, but custom, commerce, and the Constitution have allowed for free speech that does not always align with editorial policy. It is disappointing to have to point this out to you, but the risk to the well-being of our community and our democracy is too great to let it pass.
I await the next edition of The Star with interest and trepidation.
Yours sincerely,
KATHARINE RAYNER
—
There is something of a Murphy’s Law at The Star that the advertisement or letter to the editor we would least want to inadvertently omit is the one that gets dropped. For example, one Springs resident’s several very thoughtful letters suffered a string of persistent omissions a few years back, even after we promised to keep an eye out for them. The Star does not pick and choose from among letters or ads. Sometimes a mistake is just a mistake. — Ed.
New Leadership
East Hampton Village
October 19, 2026
Dear David,
I want to thank Jacki Esposito, her team, and everyone who put their time and energy into the write-in effort for Jerry Larsen for town supervisor. It’s humbling to see people step forward on their own because they believe in me, and I’m very grateful. We know our town government is broken, and voters from all parties are being negatively affected; it’s time for new leadership.
Seeing all the signs around town and hearing words of encouragement means a lot to Lisa and me. I appreciate that they are taking the time to talk with neighbors and friends, putting up signs, and helping with this campaign.
After reading last week’s article in your paper, I realized I hadn’t expressed that appreciation as clearly as I should have. I want everyone involved to know how much their support means to me and my family.
I love this community. I have spent much of my life serving East Hampton, and there is still so much I would like to help accomplish. If given the opportunity to serve as town supervisor, I would be honored.
I know that trust must be earned. I’m thankful for those who have placed their confidence in me, and I welcome the chance to listen to those who see things differently.
Again, thank you to everyone for helping with this election effort.
Sincerely,
MAYOR JERRY LARSEN
Above Their Own
East Hampton
October 19, 2026
To the Editor,
As we enter the last two weeks of this election cycle, it is important to consider what makes a candidate worthy of your vote.
By now, you have likely assessed all the candidates’ policy proposals, educational backgrounds, experiences, and other qualifications. You have also likely done significant due diligence on where they fall on the ideological spectrum. All these factors are extremely important, but there is one characteristic that cannot be overlooked when making a final decision on which candidate to pull the lever for.
Hence, an extremely important question we should ask ourselves is whether this candidate is going to put the needs and desires of the people they serve above their own ambitions. This character trait is often overlooked but of paramount importance.
Think about how different things would be if more of our elected officials valued the needs of their constituents more than their own personal ambitions. When someone decides to run for public office, they should not make it about themselves. Unfortunately, many politicians fail this test.
A great example of this is Donald Trump’s handling of the Kennedy Center. He is willing to actively destroy a national treasure, named after one of the greatest presidents that this country has ever produced, simply because he can’t rename it after himself. If this is not the epitome of narcissism, then I don’t know what is.
There are clear examples of this with candidates who are up and down the ballot in this election. I will elaborate further in my letter to the editor next week, so stay tuned.
MICHAEL KOEGLER
Chairman
East Hampton Town Democratic Committee
Historic Moment
Springs
October 19, 2026
Dear David,
When we launched the grassroots campaign to write in Jerry Larsen for supervisor, I was not sure what to expect. Our motivation in starting this campaign was to give voice to the thousands of residents who had no say in choosing our town’s supervisor. Only a small percentage of Democrats voted in the primary and, since New York is a closed primary state, only Democrats were eligible to vote. Not every state in the nation is this restrictive — a debate for another day.
What I’ve learned since we launched this campaign is that most of us don’t care about party affiliation. We are neighbors first. Regardless of political party, We all care about preserving the beauty and character of this special place, protecting our clean water, keeping our community affordable, and having government leaders we can trust. And everyone I’ve met these past few months, from across the political spectrum, believes Mayor Jerry Larsen is the supervisor our town needs. We may not agree on every issue, but those of us who support Jerry agree on this: Our town government is broken.
For example, the Building Department has been plagued with corruption, extreme processing delays, and until recently, the chief building inspector had lapsed state certifications. This month, this same building inspector was reportedly offered more money amid rumors he was about to quit.
Even more troubling, residents of the Cove Hollow community remain concerned about potential health risks from PFAS water contamination from the battery storage facility fire. Risks that Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez ignored for far too long, even suggesting at one point that an airplane crash downstream from the contamination several years earlier could have been responsible. Preliminary findings released by New York State in September identified the fire suppression system at the battery storage facility as the likely source of the contamination, debunking her theory.
Months after Mayor Jerry Larsen called for the temporary closure of the battery storage facilities until public safety mechanisms were in place, Supervisor Burke-Gonzalez finally called for closure of the facilities. This month, county officials announced the Cove Hollow site was very likely going to be designated a Superfund site.
Most recently, in Springs where I live, more than 700 residents have publicly opposed the overclearing of a wooded lot near Pussy’s Pond in our historic district for a new parking lot. Supervisor Burke-Gonzalez supports the parking lot and has remained silent in response to the public opposition. Jerry Larsen has joined residents in opposing development of the parking lot.
On top of all this, year after year, Supervisor Burke-Gonzalez has pierced the state tax cap raising our taxes, while Jerry Larsen has managed to keep taxes low in the village even while providing fully paid health care coverage to employees.
For many of us, these issues are not merely differences in policy or politics; they are disqualifying.
This write-in campaign is a historic moment for our town. I hope you’ll join me in making history and bringing new leadership to East Hampton by writing in Jerry Larsen for supervisor.
JACKI ESPOSITO
New Chapter
Amagansett
October 16, 2026
Dear David,
East Hampton is ready for a new chapter, and the upcoming election offers a clear opportunity to steer our town in a transparent, fiscally responsible direction by writing in Jerry Larsen.
As Chris Gangemi’s recent article, “. . . a Long Shot, But . . . “ highlights (Oct. 15), the mayor is under no illusions about his odds in this race. It is certainly an uphill battle, but as Mr. Larsen noted, “it would be wonderful” for our community, and he would love to serve. While a write-in campaign is a long shot, leaving our town’s future in the hands of the current leadership is a risk we can no longer afford to take. Residents are rightfully deeply concerned about our environment’s safety and our town’s fiscal health.
We face urgent environmental crises like PFAS and drinking water contamination, including issues stemming from the Cove Hollow Road battery storage facility and declining water quality. At the same time, taxpayers are bearing the brunt of poor financial management, with taxes raised for the third consecutive year, repeatedly piercing the state-mandated tax cap.
Beyond our wallets and environment, a profound lack of transparency plagues the Building Department, where employee bribery charges have made headlines, and the person hired to run the department was found to have an inactive state certification.
We have watched local projects devolve into mismanagement and stagnation, from the senior center fiasco, where a cleared lot on Abraham’s Path now sits empty, to the baffling Springs parking lot for trees situation at the Springs Library. These examples, along with years of sitting on affordable housing lots at Cantwell Court, point to systemic poor planning and a lack of oversight.
It’s time for leadership change. Christopher Gangemi’s article notes that this grassroots write-in effort, founded by Jacki Esposito, aims to give East Hampton voters a meaningful choice. Jerry Larsen offers the accountability, openness, and structured planning that East Hampton desperately needs. I encourage my fellow residents to look past the standard ballot lines, utilize the early voting window, or head to the polls on Nov. 3, write in Jerry Larsen, and vote for a transparent, well-planned future for East Hampton. The time is now.
RONA KLOPMAN
Must Rethink
North Haven
October 19, 2026
Dear David:
Congratulations to the 30th Hamptons International Film Festival for presenting an exceptionally stimulating and informative collection of documentary films, many with live conversations with the creators.
I first attended HIFF in 2002 to find documentaries and short subject films available in addition to the general release films. Docs have since become very popular and offer an excellent alternative to commercial and social media that has dumbed down, become ugly, and is deliberately censored by invasive politics and corporate greed.
HIFF courageously presented “Naza” as a serious and controversial film exploring the grizzly war going on in the Middle East. Journalists suffer great personal risk because live, on-the-ground access by media is heavily restricted and censored by the government of Israel. That situation is clearly responsible for the need for films like “Naza.”
Protests were expected, but our constitutional rights under the First Amendment also reject censorship in our free and democratic society. There’s no good reason to restrict the flow of journalism in a free world, including investigating the ongoing slaughter of civilians in Gaza.
The terms “genocide” and “antisemitism” are emotional hot-button words carelessly thrown about, subject to misinterpretation and exaggeration. It’s better to tone that down and simply understand it as an investigation into the ongoing massive long-term “collateral damage” killing of civilians during the military response to a Hamas atrocity committed three years ago.
At the Sag Harbor Cinema, I walked past protesters shouting, “Say no to ‘Naza.’ We will pay your damn tickets to ‘Naza!’ Come here. We will pay for your tickets!” That’s an outrageous offer of actual bribery in a misguided attempt to restrict public access to legitimate media. That behavior is an insult to our peaceful and thoughtful community — and to the protesters’ own cause. It supports censorship and the indiscriminate lethal military behavior directed by Benjamin Netanyahu.
I found stamina for the film “Musk.” It’s another excellent documentary with almost four hours of riveting, well-researched information about Elon, the historic character who is now the world’s first trillionaire and on the cusp of having the most powerful resource of human data for his own power and unknown purpose.
Musk’s wealth is just one issue in the extraordinary power he now holds over us, our government, and foreign nations. It’s time for us to look deeper into his dangerous and odd behavior, which seems genius, but includes numerous deceptions mingled with his apparent instability. We try to understand what he is up to and see how very dangerous he actually is.
While heading his Department of Government Efficiency, waving his chain saw, he absconded with astounding amounts of government and personal data, as well as data from his own social media company, X, and his Tesla automated cars and trucks. His Starlink satellite network scoops up more data that he puts all together with his artificial intelligence company, creating the world’s most dangerous resource in the hands of one fellow with very strange ideas and ambitions.
An inspiring film, “School for Defectors” shows the wonderful but difficult resocialization offered by South Korea to a fortunate number of defector children from North Korea. It is inspirational and extremely informative.
Two more documentaries finished this season for me. “The A-Word: The Future of Aging” explores the interest in healthy longevity and follows one interesting actual scientific breakthrough. People who simply discovered happiness and purpose in their advanced years are also featured.
“Rehearsal for a Revolution” is a powerful recap of Iran’s long history of protests over the different forms of government imposed on its citizens over 40 years, beginning at the end of the Pahlavi Dynasty (1925?1979), and continuing through the various supreme leaders of the Islamic Republic (1979-present).
The filmmaker had amazing family and personal films of their participation in numerous protests that document the many terrifying and abusive authoritarian regimes the Iranian people lived under for so long. We begin to better understand their awful plight, and that they still suffer under their own oppressive religious leadership, and now suffer the massive war recently started by Trump and Netanyahu.
We must seriously rethink these tragedies perpetrated by Putin, the ayatollahs, Trump, and Netanyahu. Can we all survive this massive warfare with its killings and environmental destruction? Can the universe survive, as Carl Sagan asked almost 40 years ago? Is a culture of peace and safety worldwide being lost?
What can any of us actually do? Think carefully, then vote, vote, vote! Democracy is the enemy of autocracy.
ANTHONY CORON
Can You Afford?
East Hampton
October 19, 2026
To the Editor:
When you vote for Congress, you are asked to make a simple decision: Will you be better off changing the direction of the country, or with more of the same?
Nick LaLota never stood for you when Donald Trump’s tariffs increased inflation, as the failed war in Iran continues to cost you more to fill your gas tank, or as Trump sells his office to the highest bidder.
Can you afford two more years of corruption and Republican complicity with the Trump agenda? Chris Gallant is a Blackhawk helicopter pilot, a union leader, and a volunteer firefighter. Most important, he’ll be a check on a corrupt and inept president, putting your interests first.
Vote for change. Vote for Chris Gallant.
MARK A. NELSON
Turn the Tide
East Hampton
October 19, 2026
Dear Editor,
I am writing to urge everyone to get out and vote in this incredibly influential election. I am also writing in support of Chris Gallant for Congress. His resume, filled with public service, reveals a man who has character, is both caring and strong, and one who can speak truth to power. Once in office, he will reject the MAGA agenda.
A vote for Chris Gallant will be an asset in Congress and, most important, will help to turn the tide back toward Democracy by changing the House majority to blue!
Sincerely,
NANCY S. KARLEBACH
To Good Use
East Hampton
October 15, 2026
Dear Mr. Rattray,
We should thank Trump for the $90 we senior citizens have recently received. I put mine to good use. I donated the money to Chris Gallant for his campaign to represent me in Congress.
Perhaps next time Trump will dip into the billions he and his family have made through their corrupt activities, rather than use our own taxpayer money to send us money.
SALVATORE TOCCI
By the People
East Hampton
October 19, 2026
To the Editor,
Did you miss the No Kings rally on Oct. 17?
We did.
What did your local No Kings planning group (a.k.a. PeopleForDemocracy.org) do instead? Along with fabulous volunteers, we participated in the day of action that was the foundation for this fall’s No Kings day. We fanned out across East Hampton, spoke to hundreds of people, and handed out information about early voting and what’s on your ballot
We usually like the tradition of going to the polls on Election Day. This year, we’re voting early. In New York State, early voting is this Saturday through Nov. 1. Election Day is Nov. 3. Details are at vote.org.
If you missed the energy and community of rallying together, join us Thursdays, 5:30 to 6 p.m. at Hook Mill, across Pantigo Road from the Post Office and CVS. We’re there with BeaconForDemocracy.org, a nonpartisan group committed to compassionate democracy. All are welcome.
When it comes to organizing the next No Kings rally, which has yet to be scheduled, we need your help. Are you a whiz with details? Great at spreading the word? Handy with Canva? A singer or musician? Email us at [email protected].
If we are to continue as a country with No Kings, a country by and for the people, it takes each of us. How? Vote. Make a plan. Bring a friend. And vote.
With patriotism and love,
KATHERINE STAHL
ALYSON FOLLENIUS
GLORIA FRAZEE
Democracy at Stake
East Hampton
October 14, 2026
Dear David,
The Republican Party reminds me of an abused and bloodied woman who stays with her husband. They may have believed his boasts of being the great and powerful Oz of business and deal making, despite the clear evidence of his multiple bankruptcies. But now they see the evidence of our bloodied economy and our alliances with dictators.
“I’ll lower prices on day one.” He didn’t. Everything is more expensive, and there is no pretense of a policy that will turn it around.
“No more forever wars.” He started one and can’t finish it.
“I’ll end the fraud.” Instead, he has pardoned fraudsters who had millions to buy places at his dinner table. He’s orchestrating millions into the campaign of Ken Paxton, a Texas Senate candidate so corrupt that his own Texas Republican Party impeached him. Mr. Paxton, it was reported, was in Dubai, with a woman not his wife, partying with a fraudster who swindled $300 million from American health care programs.
Trump’s most-recent fraud is on the American people directly, trumpeting that diesel relief is on the way from Russia, when the amount of diesel involved is less than a day’s worth of American usage. Actually, it is another violation of American law passed by Congress and signed by a president to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
In step with his long history of favoring Putin over American interests, Trump’s lifting of sanctions on Russia selling oil on the world market is a shot of financial adrenaline into Putin’s war effort as the Russian economy tanks. As one would expect, Trump’s sons are involved in a byzantine deal with Saudi and United Arab Emirates money behind it to develop Russian oil.
All of the above boils down to a transparent effort to end the rule of law in the United States.
Trump could never have subverted the rule of law in this country had not every Republican legislator been cowed into submission. The few who could not stand the stench walked away or were primaried out.
Our own Republican representative, Nick LaLota, has proudly announced that he won’t release federal funds to our town. If he wins in this election, Trump will have his support for two more years to create the same kind of havoc that followed his loss in 2020, 60 bogus lawsuits attempting to overturn the result, seven states attempting to seat bogus slates of electors, culminating in a riotous attack on the people’s Capitol. We can expect that and more this year, abetted by thousands of immigration brownshirts added to his arsenal.
Musk, Bezos, Zuckerberg, and the rest of the oligarchs are spending billions to keep Republican asses in their seats in Congress. Can anybody still believe this is due to their concern for the rest of us?
Even if you’ve never voted for a Democrat, this year democracy is at stake. Lifelong Republicans in red states all over the country have stated publicly they support Democrats in these midterms. Only an overwhelming victory will apply the brakes to our slide into autocracy. Vote straight Democratic this election. Worry about the details later.
DON MATHESON
Cease and Desist?
Amagansett
October 18, 2026
To the Editor:
I really try not to respond to the typical letter signed by Mitchell Agoos et al., because there would be no end to that (and they are anyway not usually that interesting). But the chutzpah of writing what was, in effect, a lawyer’s cease-and-desist letter to The Star, for publication in the letters column, got my attention.
The letter is actually mistaken in every legal detail. It cites defamation cases in order (as is the Agoos group’s sole, compelling, compulsive motive) to achieve a zone of protection — of silence, really — for Israel, a political nation-state, which, as a simple matter of law, cannot be defamed. So, the cases are fundamentally irrelevant and mis-cited; yet, of course, each one actually says the opposite of what it is cited for.
Immuno A.G. v. Moor-Jankowski, 77 NY2d 235, 253 (1991), referenced for the proposition that letters to the editor can be libelous, is instead a shining exemplar of the protection New York State’s highest court views as being owed to the humble letters column: “Significantly, for many members of the public, a letter to the editor may be the only available opportunity to air concerns about issues affecting them. A citizen troubled by things going wrong should be free to write to the newspaper, and the newspaper should be free to publish the letter. It is often the only way to get things put right.”
The other case cited, Brian v. Richardson, 87 N.Y.2d 46, 53 (1995), granted similar protection to the opinion pages: “Like the ‘letters to the editor’ section. the Op-Ed page is a forum traditionally reserved for the airing of ideas on matters of public concern. Indeed, the common expectation is that the columns and articles published in a newspaper’s Op-Ed sections will represent the viewpoints of their authors and, as such, contain considerable hyperbole, speculation, diversified forms of expression and opinion.” Both cases dismissed the complaints.
As if that were not enough, the authors, before actually arguing that The Star is potentially liable for false statements made in letters, in their third paragraph admit the truth of the assertion they then go on to claim is false: “Evidence exists that Israeli forces killed some Israelis during the extraordinary chaos of Oct. 7.”
Since anyone these days can importune ChatGPT to produce plausible-sounding legal blither, I still might not have responded but for the fact that one of the co-signers is David Saxe, a former New York State trial judge. If he researched and wrote this letter, he should be embarrassed. If he signed it without reading it and checking the cases, even more so. Mr. Saxe’s lack of interest in legal precision today causes me to wonder if he was actually more careful when serving on the bench. He is not alone in that respect; there is another ex-judge with even more destructive impact out here, whom I mention sometimes in my letters, who also makes me wonder.
For democracy — and respect for law — in East Hampton and everywhere,
JONATHAN WALLACE