True Testament
Montauk
April 13, 2026
To the Editor:
I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Montauk Fire Department and the Montauk community for the ongoing support they provided throughout my father, Charles Martin Morici Sr.’s, illness over the past three months. The kindness shown was a true testament to the man he was.
On April 11, the community came together for a beautiful service to honor a man who devoted his life to his family and his community. It was truly a celebration of his life and his legacy.
Thank you all for your support.
CHARLES MARTIN MORICI JR.
Heart and Soul
East Hampton
April 13, 2026
To the Editor,
On Friday afternoon on Main Street, people stopped everything to rush to the aid of our beloved Jerry Schwabe after his Jeep crashed into the fence at 1770 House. Staff and patrons at 1770, motorists, nearby construction workers, fire rescue, ambulance personnel, police, rushed to his side and shut down Main Street to do everything they could to help him. Sadly, we lost him.
If ever there was a man to bring people together, it was Jerry. He was kind, caring, generous — known and loved by so many in East Hampton. There are no words that could ever express the depth of our gratitude to all of you who displayed the true heart and soul of this magnificent community. We are forever grateful to each and every one of you.
May we be kind and good and show love to one another as Jerry always did — a most fitting tribute to this most amazing man.
Sincerely,
BARBARA SANSONE
PATRICIA SANSONE
CRAIG SCHWABE
A Moving Force
Portland, Ore.
April 10, 2026
Dear David,
It is a sure sign of spring to see a 20-plus-year-old photo of the East End Community Organic Farm as your “Recovering the Past” selection (April 9) with me and my dear friend John Malafronte out in the fields.
John was a moving force in getting the community farm started and gave his endless energy and good spirit to the farm — from the early days before there was electricity or water or refrigeration to the fabulous Full Moon Parties to building greenhouses to starting the food pantry donations that led to the farm’s transition to Share the Harvest Farm — John was always there to help.
These days I garden outside Portland, Oregon, but send my greetings to all my East Hampton friends!
LAUREN JARRETT
Missed Opportunity
East Hampton
April 10, 2026
To the Editor,
I wanted to suggest a small improvement that I think could make a big difference in the look of our village.
The concrete median in front of Citarella, separating the car traffic, is currently just that — a plain slab of concrete. Given how central and visible that area is, it feels like a missed opportunity. It would be great to see it turned into a simple flower bed or some kind of landscaped space instead, using native plants and greenery.
Since pedestrians aren’t allowed to cross there anyway, adding plantings wouldn’t interfere with foot traffic. It seems like a practical way to make better use of the space while also making that part of town more attractive.
Even something modest — seasonal flowers or low-maintenance native greenery — could really brighten up the area and make it feel more in line with the rest of East Hampton.
Just an idea, but one I hope the village might consider.
Best,
MIA PLITT
Can’t We Be Done?
Bridgehampton
April 7, 2026
To the Editor,
My family and I have full-time residents of Bridgehampton since 1993. We have been writing to Southampton Town for years about banning gas-powered leaf blowers outright, and with little success. We live outside the village, on Mitchell Lane, where every house surrounding us regularly has two to four blowers throughout the week. often all day long and even during the “banned” summer season. Indeed, there are two being used as I write this letter. For three hours already.
Landscapers — who ignore our phone calls or deny that gas-powered blowers are being used — seem to be aware that enforcement is nearly impossible; police must arrive in time to witness the infringement. By the time they arrive, especially in the summer traffic, landscapers have either moved on or briefly pause or accept the fine as a necessary expense to keep doing business.
We also hesitate to call law enforcement out of fear for the workers themselves, who are not at fault for being told to use such outdated, dangerous equipment. Indeed, the science is clear: they are being harmed most of all by the fumes, the decibel level, etc.
Gas-powered leaf blowers are ruining our town and lives. Some off us work from home and can’t. We can’t sleep as the sound lingers in our ears and creates anxiety for the morning after, when we are yet again woken up by the sound.
We have tried to contact nearby owners who could care less; they are either weekend residents who don’t realize how we suffer so they can enjoy the weekend quiet, or they are from busy cities and don’t care.
Why can’t we be done with this outdated, dangerous, polluting piece of equipment once and for all? Alternative, green equipment is readily available.
Thank you,
CHRISTOPHER IMPIGLIA
Dread Noisemakers
Springs
April 8, 2026
To the Editor,
We heartily agree with your opinion that there should be more ospreys than leaf blowers in our once-quiet neck of the woods. In solidarity with everyone who is in favor of banning the dread noisemakers, we offer this poem by our late mother, Dolly Davis Guinther, which seems pertinent to the subject at hand.
Springs in Summer
It’s seven, and the distant hum
Of early morning mowings come
To nullify the gentle peep
Of birdlets waking from their sleep.
And with the wafted scent of grass
From house to house the mowers pass.
And now the hum becomes a roar —
They’re mowing at the house next door.
Pt. II
It’s seven again. We pour the wine
And gather on the porch to dine
Al fresco in the quiet air
Of evening. But what’s that I hear?
Where lately whined a loud lawn-mower,
Here comes a louder-still leaf-blower
Making a cacophonic din
That screams at us, “Go in, go in!
Stay here — you’ll soon find I am able
To blow the treats right off your table.
One puff of my ear-piercing breeze —
The hors d’oeuvres fly into the trees!”
Another “Oops! I beg your pardon”
There goes the roast into the garden.
A final blast, and your dessert
Has landed face-down in the dirt.
So if it’s peace for which you’re pining,
It doesn’t go with outdoor dining!
And if it’s quiet you desire,
Go curl up by an indoor fire.
LOUISE and JOANNA GUINTHER
On Our Plates
East Hampton
April 8, 2026
Dear Editor:
Earth Day highlights the urgent need for evidence-based solutions to the climate and ecological crises. But what most people don’t realize is the biggest impact we can make as individuals starts on our plates.
Extensive research shows that animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and freshwater depletion. In contrast, plant-based food systems require significantly fewer natural resources and generate lower emissions, making them a more efficient and sustainable way to feed a growing global population.
Adopting plant-based meals — even incrementally — can substantially reduce one’s environmental footprint while supporting a more resilient food system.
This Earth Day, let’s align our daily choices with the science. By choosing more plant-based foods, we can actively contribute to climate mitigation, resource conservation, and a healthier planet.
The data is clear. And so is the opportunity for meaningful change.
Respectfully,
ELIJAH HANNESBURG
The Full Video
East Hampton Village
April 13, 2026
David:
June 2 marks two years since the Village of East Hampton revoked my Lot 1 parking permit and Main Beach locker, alleging that I drove recklessly and placed a young man in danger.
That determination was based on village employee affidavits, which were represented as being supported by security camera footage of the incident. However, in response to a Freedom of Information request, I was informed that the village no longer retained that footage, as it had been recorded over.
The only known copy of that video was preserved by the Suffolk County district attorney’s office and later provided to me.
On June 12, 2025, James F. Quinn of the Suffolk County Supreme Court reviewed the record and ruled that the village’s actions were “arbitrary and capricious,” ordering that my permit and locker be reinstated. Despite that ruling, the village has chosen to appeal.
In the interest of ensuring a complete and accurate public record, I requested the opportunity to present the underlying video at the April 22 board of trustees meeting. I was advised that materials submitted by the public are not presented through village or LTV channels.
Accordingly, I will present selected frames during the public comment portion. The full video — the same evidence reviewed in connection with this matter — will be made available to any interested party upon request.
This is not a matter of interpretation. The record now includes both the evidence and a judicial determination. My objective is to ensure that the public has access to both.
DAVID GANZ
Fraudulent Acts
Springs
April 8, 2026
Dear Editor,
Often people stray because a life event causes an emotional and financial strain: a parent needing constant care suddenly, a child starting an expensive college, a favorite daughter’s wedding.
In my experience of doing financial fraud audits, it was usually a good person performing a fraudulent act. We’d always follow up by recommending more stringent, systematic internal controls. I hope the East Hampton Town Board follows up that way, too.
I hope the town board does not simply think it’s time to go back to things as usual.
Best regards,
HENRIKA CONNER
Refuse to Acknowledge
Wainscott
April 13, 2026
Dear David,
The thought of Jerry Larsen and his fellows in Town Hall is deeply disturbing. These are Republicans in Democratic clothing.
The Republican record on social and environmental issues is horrendous, rushing headlong to repeat mistakes of a past many of us were happy to leave behind. The local Democrats should present a clear, progressive alternative. Unfortunately for our community, they do not.
Three major environmental issues here are the airport, the gun club, and gas-powered leaf blowers. These have severe health detriments in common: excessive noise, unnecessary pollution of air and groundwater, danger to users and innocent non-users, destruction of both natural habitat and human quality of life. Were these detriments eliminated, most of us would be relieved and healthier.
Democrats have long been a party of environmental advocates. Unfortunately, the entrenched local Democrats refuse to acknowledge that these issues are even a problem, let alone take leadership in resolving them.
The town board folks feel some misplaced sense of obligation to the purveyors of the problems that beset us:
The airport must stay open, despite our inability to enforce the most modest restrictions. Let’s repave the runways, upgrade the facilities, and keep offering leaded fuel for those who refuse to cooperate.
The gun club must have another virtually free lease on 97 acres of extraordinarily valuable land. Close one outdoor shooting range, while leaving three others facing in the same direction as 100 houses! Let’s grant the gunners free rein once more, public welfare be damned. Because shooting is a wonderful local tradition. (As were burning witches, wiping out the natives, and enslaving Blacks once upon a time.)
And the landscapers can’t be encumbered, as it is their right to blast away day and night, and destroy native habitats along with the health of the hapless employees forced to use the awful machines 10 hours a day or more. And heaven forbid contractors transition to lower-impact electric blowers that actually cost far less to operate.
I’m not sure why Jerry Larsen is so intent on gaining control of our town. His views on these three major issues are identical to our current “leadership.” Climate change? The common good? C’mon. Let’s make some more moolah.
BARRY RAEBECK
Royal Analogy
Amagansett
April 10, 2026
To the Editor:
One of the benefits of being an insomniac: If you sleep only six hours, that leaves 18 in the day to think about stuff.
Here’s what hit me the other day, musing about the town Democratic machine: a British royalty analogy might bring some insights! So here goes.
Larry Cantwell was Queen Elizabeth, a strong monarch with a humane and outgoing personality, able to make many of his subjects disregard the autocratic aspect of his reign. (Full disclosure, I never even knew there was a machine until Mr. Cantwell retired.)
Peter Van Scoyoc was a weak, mean king, a Richard II (he wasn’t smart or together enough to be Richard III).
Kathee Burke-Gonzalez is a weak, mean, hapless king like Charles I, deposed by Oliver Cromwell. See how neatly this works? First Citizen Jerry Larsen wants to be Cromwell. And behind the scenes, Voldemort is Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth’s cold, cruel, Machiavellian adviser. That one is so nice, I’ll say it twice: Voldemort is Walsingham!
Okay, confession: Much preparation, modest payoff. I was inspired by a letter to the April 2 Star, in the “thank you” stratum at the top of the page, which appreciated Her Royal Highness Kathee Burke-Gonzalez “for her support” and His Royal Highness Peter Van Scoyoc for “managing shuttles and off-site parking” at . . . the “No Kings” demonstration. Ha!
For democracy in East Hampton,
JONATHAN WALLACE
Feral Cat(s) 77
Sunlight brings more machines,
Crossing paths, not what it seems.
Slow and fast, you jerk the wheel,
Who knows if we’ll see our next meal?
You say we rob and steal,
But do you know the cost of a meal?
More people arrive,
Your leftover sabodet I devour.
Main Street, we lurk,
Shiny white lights outline our work.
Well-heeled people to swindle,
Flow and trot, our flock’s flower does mingle.
A Meow So Harmless
Swift kick to the tail!
Next up, he won’t fail.
Fierro’s pizza, they linger,
For the next tall heel to swindle.
A glimmer of hope, a small Elder approaches,
Through the beeps and mean stares, he shares his pinwheels with care.
He, an old veteran, seems to know how to be bold but not rash.
We observe his humility, and scurry back to the dark.
Feral cats don’t have to rob and steal!
EDWARD HANNIBAL JR.
Moral Beacon
East Hampton
April 13, 2026
To the Editor:
Thank you for your recent editorial: “G.O.P. Must Rebuke Genocidal Threats.” Mr. LaLota, hiding behind conference calls, has never demonstrated an ounce of gumption, so we can’t count on him.
A great contrast to that pawn and to his berserk leader is Pope Leo, who has been a moral beacon for the world from the beginning of this disastrous war. Now the president is attacking him directly, and Pope Leo states to the world that he is unafraid.
The Pope is funny, too. When asked about the attack from Truth Social he said, “It’s ironic, the name of the site itself. Say no more.”
I’ve never been so proud to be a Catholic.
TOM MACKEY
Frightening Character
East Hampton
April 9, 2026
Dear Mr. Rattray,
With the recent firing of Pam Bondi, Todd Blanche became acting attorney general of the Department of Justice. Despite his new position, Mr. Blanche has long been another frightening character serving in the Trump administration.
As deputy attorney general, Mr. Blanche made headlines last July when he interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence in Florida for helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse under-age girls. One month following Mr. Blanche’s interview, Ms. Maxwell was transferred to a minimum-security federal prison camp in Texas where she received preferential treatment. The question lingers as to whether the meeting involved a quid pro quo.
In a February letter sent to members of Congress, Mr. Blanche wrote that no Epstein files had been withheld or redacted. However, a National Public Radio investigation uncovered files that have still not been released by the D.O.J., including more than 50 pages of F.B.I. interviews and notes from conversations with a woman who accused Trump of sexual abuse when she was a minor.
In January Mr. Blanche faced serious ethical scrutiny by the Senate following an earlier memorandum he issued at the D.O.J. that dismantled its cryptocurrency enforcement division. At the time, Mr. Blanche held between $159,000 and $485,000 in digital assets, which grew in value following the D.O.J. policy change.
His tenure as deputy attorney general included overseeing the removal of more than 200 career officials connected to prior Trump prosecutions. When asked how he would feel if Trump does not permanently appoint him to the position, Mr. Blanche said, “If he chooses to nominate somebody else and asks me to go do something else, I will say, ‘Thank you very much. I love you, sir.’ ”
If appointed, Mr. Blanche should not be regarded as the attorney general but rather as a defensive guard on Trump’s frightening team of sycophants.
SALVATORE TOCCI