Been Our Home
East Hampton Willage
June 5, 2026
To the Editor,
An open letter to the East Hampton community: Dear friends, neighbors, and valued customers, after 10 wonderful years at 16 Gingerbread Lane, we are saddened to share that East Hampton Gardens will be leaving the location that has been our home and gathering place for the past decade.
This decision was not ours. After a decade of investing in the property, building a beloved community destination, and contributing to the vitality of East Hampton, we were informed that our lease would not be renewed. There was no first right of refusal, no meaningful discussion about our future at the property, and no opportunity to negotiate. After nearly a year without communication regarding the status of our lease, we received a certified letter informing us that our tenancy would end. No explanation was provided.
While this news comes with great disappointment, it also gives us an opportunity to reflect on what this community has meant to us and how grateful we are for the relationships we have built together.
Over the years, East Hampton Gardens has become much more than a garden shop. We have been a place where gardeners found inspiration, homeowners discovered beauty for their landscapes, and friends gathered to celebrate a shared love of nature, design, and the outdoors. Together, we have welcomed thousands of visitors through our gates, hosted seasonal events, offered educational workshops, and helped create gardens that have become part of the fabric of East Hampton.
We have been proud supporters of local organizations and charitable causes that strengthen our community. From donating plants, flowers, and merchandise to fund-raising efforts and community events, to supporting local schools, environmental initiatives, and nonprofit organizations, giving back has always been an important part of who we are. We have been honored to support the Garden Club of East Hampton and many dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to preserve and beautify the East End.
We have employed local residents, supported fellow small businesses, beautified properties throughout our community, and created a destination that celebrated gardening, beauty, and connection. We took pride not only in our business, but in being a good neighbor and an active participant in the life of East Hampton.
Like many small businesses, we believed that our commitment to the community, our stewardship of the property, and our decade-long investment in the location would be valued. We hoped that if changes were being considered, there would be a conversation. Unfortunately, that opportunity never came.
The support we have received from our customers, neighbors, local businesses, and community organizations has been extraordinary. Many of you have become far more than customers — you have become friends. We have celebrated milestones together, shared gardening successes and failures, weathered storms, and watched the seasons change year after year.
While our retail chapter at Gingerbread Lane is coming to an end, our passion for gardening and serving our clients remains stronger than ever. We will continue providing the garden and landscape services that have always been at the heart of our business. Helping our clients create and maintain beautiful outdoor spaces will remain our focus as we look toward the future.
We are deeply grateful for the privilege of serving East Hampton for the past 10 years. Thank you for your loyalty, your friendship, and your support. The memories made at 16 Gingerbread Lane will stay with us always.
We leave with tremendous pride in what we built, disappointment in how it ends, and optimism for what comes next.
This is not goodbye — it is simply the beginning of a new chapter.
With heartfelt gratitude,
MICHAEL GIANNELLI
And the East Hampton Gardens team
Human Cost
East Hampton
June 4, 2026
Dear Editor:
Lawmakers are now investigating toxic gas emissions from animal farming, including ammonia pollution, that threatens nearby communities. For residents living near these facilities, this isn’t new, it’s daily life.
We often talk about factory farming in terms of animals or climate, but the human cost is just as real. Families are breathing contaminated air so the rest of us can consume cheap meat and dairy.
This raises an uncomfortable question: How cheap is “cheap” if others are paying with their health?
If we value clean air and public health, we must confront the true cost of industrial animal agriculture and start supporting food systems that don’t harm communities in the process.
Respectfully,
EDWIN HORATH
Best Time Ever
Amagansett
June 8, 2026
To the Editor,
I had the pleasure of attending, along with what seemed like thousands of other revelers, the awesome, welcoming, and pure fun giant screen for the Knicks game on Newtown Lane. It seemed like the entire town was there, and it was the best time I have ever had in East Hampton Village, except for Tuesdays at the beach. Then to have the fabulous gay parade the next day! Jerry and Brad Billet have made East Hampton Village into the coolest, most welcoming place to be. How lucky are we to be blessed by these marvelous men!
Mazel tov,
ALEXANDER PETERS
Town We Are Proud Of
Amagansett
June 7, 2026
Dear David,
Anna Skrenta and I are running to retain our seats on the East Hampton Democratic Committee and strongly support the re-election of our supervisor, Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. Kathee has demonstrated the integrity, work ethic, and dedication to our town that deserves community support. Her continued fight for affordable housing, efforts to preserve our environment, and her excellent working relationship with state leadership continue to make East Hampton a town we are proud of.
My running mate, Anna Skrenta, is chairwoman of the East Hampton Democratic Committee. Anna devotes incredible time and energy to the committee, as well as community events and causes. Our committee meetings, both Zoom and in-person, are well attended by both members and guests. Nonmembers are frequent participants and encouraged to attend. The newsletter that Anna distributes provides valuable information to all in the Democratic community, requiring many hours of personal effort on her part. We are extremely fortunate to have Anna’s continued efforts on our behalf.
Early voting begins on Saturday with the primary on June 23. Please support Kathee for re-election and if you vote in Election District 12, Anna and I would appreciate your support.
DAVID HILLMAN
For Our Community
East Hampton
June 8, 2026
Dear David,
I am writing you to lay out my service and dedication to this community as I seek re-election to the Democratic Committee in my Northwest Woods neighborhood, Election District 16.
I’m a longtime resident here (moved from New York city in 2003) with my wife, Courtney, and our three kids: Henry, Burton, and Lola, who all graduated from East Hampton High School.
Like most of my fellow committee members, I’ve worked for our community in several ways. I’ve served three terms as an elected East Hampton Town trustee. I’ve been site coordinator for Cornell Cooperative Extension’s horseshoe crab monitoring research project, engaging local high school students and community members as civil scientists, and I am a member of the trustees beaches committee, Northwest Creek committee, and Lazy Point committee.
I have held a number of volunteer positions throughout our town. As a deputy of the Anti-Bias Task Force, I organized and moderated a forum on driver’s licenses for all with Fred Thiele, served on the East Hampton Little League Baseball board, and coached for 12 years, continuing well after my kids had aged out. I’m very proud to have served the town as chairman for the Little League field relocation committee in charge of building the new fields at Stephen Hand’s Path to make room for the much-needed free-standing emergency care facility at Pantigo Road.
I started a successful water bottle refill station pilot program through the town at the Ditch Plain Comfort Station — the model for those we see all around town. I was a founding board member of Goat on the Boat, and part of the group that successfully advocated to vastly upgrade the Montauk Skate Park for skaters of all ages to enjoy.
I am committed to continuing to serve East Hampton as an active and passionate Democratic Committee member and ask for my fellow Democrats’ votes either at Windmill Village in early voting or at the East Hampton Library, the voting location for E.D. 16 on Primary Day.
All the best,
TIM GARNEAU
Made My Choice
Montauk
June 6, 2026
Dear David,
I did not take my recent decision endorsing Jerry Larsen for supervisor lightly. I am writing this letter to address a worrying trend in local politics and better explain why I made my choice.
I am proud to be a member of the Democratic Party, and I am genuinely grateful for the hard work they have put in to help this town. I will also always remain grateful for its support in getting me elected to the town board to help serve my community. However, I do not believe that membership in any party means that I cannot or should not disagree with other party members on matters of civic importance. That is precisely the problem that concerns so many about politics in Washington. When it comes to issues I feel are important, my loyalty will always be to the common good.
If you have followed the local town government closely, you will recognise that the current supervisor and I do not see eye to eye on a range of issues. Those who know me have long recognized that I am not someone who follows party lines “just because.” If I think a decision is incorrect, I will take the time to explain why.
When members of the local Democratic Party asked if I would consider running in 2023, it was because of my experience as a local business owner, an eight-year member of the Montauk School board, consistent input to numerous public government committees, and as a 10-plus-year emergency medical technician. These roles give me a unique perspective that I believe can help town residents. In particular, I wanted to address something that many of my first responder colleagues had discussed with me: the town’s emergency preparedness.
First responders are a diverse group of amazing volunteers and paid professionals who train extensively to bring you the best care they can. They operate with clear protocols. When things go wrong, they are there to provide care and safety. It is hard to find a single resident of this town who has not directly benefited from their services in some way.
There are some within the E.M.S. family who remain angry at the outcome of Jerry’s decisions regarding the operating structure of the East Hampton Village Ambulance. While I wish that process had been less acrimonious, I am incredibly proud of how the village ambulance under Chief Mott continues to serve the community as do many of the wonderful volunteers who moved to Springs. With that in mind, I reached out to a wide range of acquaintances to better understand the different perspectives on Jerry. As a result, I had direct conversations with him. These brought to light many critical issues that we align on. Public employee needs, fixing the building department processes, making town government more approachable, and ensuring that the public is fairly treated. However, fundamental in my decision to endorse him was his shared understanding on the need to commit resources for a full-time position in town emergency preparedness planning.
Some background on this: Following my campaign promise to review town emergency planning, in my first months, I reinstated the town emergency preparedness committee. Over the last two and a half years, we have spent extensive time reviewing the Suffolk County hazard mitigation plan, the town’s emergency resources, and the federal emergency planning review matrix — all with the goal of identifying areas where the town should consider allocating resources.
The new generator at the Montauk Playhouse is a good example of the committee’s work, as is a recent resolution, hiring a 90-day employee to address departmental continuity of operations plans (think operational triage). Ongoing, the committee is coordinating with regional municipal partners to host a town conference on the future of E.M.S. The group also reviews past emergency events to provide the board with feedback on how the town can improve its reaction to, and recovery from, future hazard events. Continually highlighted by the committee is that while we react to events, we do not plan adequately.
The town currently has two part-time emergency coordinators. While they are dedicated event operators, they do not have the time or resources to commit to the level of strategic planning required. This is something I have pushed to change.
Effective long-term operational and capital investments in this area are widely recognized as an excellent use of public resources. Our community’s relative geographic isolation means we face a complex range of local hazards that require specific planning. To highlight some straightforward issues that this would address. We currently do not have any documented programs or protocols in place to ensure our emergency shelters are functional and safe to operate during major events. The absence of a clear winter storm strategic plan resulted in the failure to plow the access road to the East Hampton emergency room during the recent “once in a lifetime” (emergency) winter storms.
Our ability to respond effectively to recognized hazards is, for me, the primary responsibility of all levels of government. I have publicly and privately highlighted these opportunities and concerns to the supervisor, board members, and administrator; however, I do not believe the town is adequately recognizing or addressing the issue. That is a driving factor in my decision to endorse Jerry.
His recognition of this risk and willingness to address it, identifies for me that Jerry is the candidate who will better lead the town. I will subject him to the same level of review that I have with Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. If he fails to deliver on the key issues, or if he makes what I see as mistakes, then I will not be afraid to voice my opposition or cast my vote. With that said, I think, long term, he has shown me that he has a better understanding of our community’s needs.
And you, the voters, are free to voice your support or opposition for any and all of us with your votes. That is the only way democracy can truly function.
Sincerely,
COUNCILMAN TOM FLIGHT
Sauve Qui Peut
Amagansett
June 4, 2026
To the Editor:
This week’s paper reported that Tom Flight of the town board and Francis Bock of the trustees have defected to Jerry Larsen; we are evidently on the sauve qui peut phase of the shipwreck.
One of the benefits of living a long life is seeing how the stories come out and analyzing why they end the way they did. I included Kathee Burke-Gonzalez and Voldemort in a list of smart people who got stupid a couple of weeks ago. I want to add to that my theory of the main stupid thing they did.
The worst thing an elected politician can do is to forget they owe everything to the voters. They are the reason they got their jobs — and keep it.
I worked in politics a few years in my 20s for a New York congressperson who wasn’t that much of a people person but knew enough to fill her district office with personable people who spoke to her constituents all day long. I spent every day listening to the voters and helping them with their landlords, the school system, the police — things that had nothing to do with the federal government, but which made the voters remember my boss with appreciation.
Even corrupt Tammany knew how to do that. After early experiments with Trumpian xenophobia, the New York machine did a 180 and became the new immigrants’ best friend, making people feel they had support in a harsh, strange new place.
Even Vito Corleone understood the importance of community relations — in the very first scene of “The Godfather,” he celebrates his daughter’s wedding by throwing the door open to ordinary community members, who ask him for help.
Shades of my signature line, we have barely experienced democracy in East Hampton in the 30 years I’ve been out here. Only in the Larry Cantwell years did we have a supervisor, the face of the party, who seemed to care what people were experiencing, and he went some distance out of his way to solve problems. His successor, Peter Van Scoyoc, had that savage bully thing going, where he would put you down with gratuitous cruelty if he thought you opposed him (or even if he just didn’t like you). Kathee Burke-Gonzalez presents more like a clueless bureaucrat who never sensed it was her job to help people.
I could probably find letters I wrote The Star 10 years ago in which I suggested, “Vote for us because you have no other choice” was not a sustainable strategy, or a mission statement. It’s somewhat satisfying, in a cold-hearted sort of way, to see the Brooklyn aphorism at work — that what goes around, comes around.
Meanwhile, Jerry Larsen is “Incoming!” like an artillery shell in a Vietnam War movie. Based largely on his savagery to the ambulance volunteers, I suspect that he too is more of a Van Scoyoc than, hrrrm, a Vito Corleone. That can be the next coldly fascinating narrative. Hope to see the denouement before I’m 90, though.
For democracy in East Hampton,
JONATHAN WALLACE
Finest, Dedicated
Amagansett
June 7, 2026
Dear David,
As an 18-year member and the current chairwoman of the Amagansett citizens advisory committee for the past eight-plus years, I am compelled to speak out regarding the recent mischaracterization of Councilman Tom Flight. In my nearly two decades of community service, Tom has proven to be one of the finest, most dedicated town liaisons Amagansett has ever had.
Councilman David Lys recently made a derogatory comment suggesting that Tom has merely been “watching for 2.5 years” and struggling to navigate municipal government. This statement is not only entirely inaccurate, but it also reflects a profound lack of intellect and good judgement on the part of Mr. Lys.
The reality of Tom Flight’s work ethic speaks for itself. Tom is the only town board member who serves on 28 separate committees, including emergency preparedness, tick control, the arts council, disabilities, the business committee, the East Hampton Youth Task Force, the special events committee, and the licensing review board, and he meticulously reports on every single one.
Far from just watching, Tom secured the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s commitment to fixing the Cranberry Hole Road bridge by the end of this year — a massive, $32 million project. He is a fierce advocate for working families, championing the reduction of restrictions on accessory dwelling units to help local homeowners build them.
Tom brings valuable experience as a businessman, a seven-year Montauk School Board member, a firefighter, and he remains the only town board member who actively volunteers as an emergency medical technician.
It is ironic that Councilman Lys critiqued Tom’s private-sector background. When Mr. Lys first ran for office, his own background was as a Body Tech fitness trainer with a small kayak business and absolutely zero government experience. It took Mr. Lys a very long time to learn how government functioned, longer than it took Tom Flight.
Furthermore, Mr. Lys’s own record on community care is deeply troubling. When Trustee Jim Grimes called him for urgent help regarding 700 dead geese with bird flu in the Georgica Pond area, Mr. Lys chose to play political games with jurisdictional responsibility. Instead of addressing a severe risk to our community’s health and safety, he chose to do nothing.
Tom Flight is a man of action, public safety, and results. David Lys’s attempt to diminish Tom’s dedication only exposes his own disregard for the people of this community. Amagansett deserves leaders like Tom who show up and deliver.
RONA KLOPMAN
Obliged to Speak
Montauk
June 8, 2026
To the Editor:
Let’s keep this simple: Tom Flight is not only free to speak his mind; as a councilman, he’s obliged to speak up — and lead — when he believes in good faith that it’s best for our community.
Jerry Mulligan, a former Democratic committee chairman, is mistaken to assert that Tom owes the committee unreserved fealty in exchange for its endorsement. That’s nonsensical party logic and completely disconnected from public service and leadership. Tom earned the committee’s endorsement for re-election. He earned it for many reasons, including his excellent work on behalf of the entire community. The committee doesn’t dictate to our elected officials — that would be antidemocratic. I doubt that Mr. Mulligan’s suggesting otherwise, right?
We elect people not only because of political endorsements but because of their character and capabilities, their hard work and leadership, and their willingness to make policy and political choices that they believe serve our community well.
Tom did that, and Mr. Mulligan disagrees with Tom. But that doesn’t mean Tom’s out of line. It simply means Mr. Mulligan disagrees. So what if he does? Mr. Mulligan is, I suppose, free to seek the committee’s endorsement next time and run against Tom. Good luck with that.
JONATHAN YELLEN
Inability to Foresee
North Haven
June 6, 2026
To the Editor,
I have been closely following the supervisor discussion of late. I know the candidates and like them both, but the inability of town leadership to foresee, manage, and ameliorate the Building Department fiasco is a serious black eye, and the sooner that chaos can be corrected, the better off every resident of East Hampton Town will be. The current leadership of the town has not proven they are capable of achieving that end. Give Jerry Larsen the chance to make things right. It is of paramount importance.
CHRIS FIORE
Mayor
Village of North Haven
What Matters Most
Springs
June 6, 2026
Dear David:
In a time when politics can feel divided and frustrating, it’s energizing to see someone who approaches public service with good common sense, respects others, and has a genuine commitment to doing what’s right for our community. What I appreciate most about Kathee is that she listens.
She takes the time to understand the concerns, considers different viewpoints, and focuses on practical solutions. This kind of thoughtful leadership makes a real difference when it comes to addressing the issues that affect our daily lives. As a community, we benefit when we elect people with strong character, sound judgement, and a willingness to work with others to get things done.
Kathee brings those qualities to the table and has shown a clear commitment to serving the public with allegiance and dedication. Her integrity and honesty, coupled with leadership, collaboration, work ethic, and commitment to the community make her an outstanding choice to serve and represent our community. Kathee has the instincts and character of a true leader.
No candidate is perfect. What matters most is character, accountability, and a willingness to learn. Kathee has shown a sincere commitment to acknowledging past shortcomings, addressing them, and growing from the experience. Like anyone in a leadership role, she has faced challenges. Rather than avoiding difficult issues, she has demonstrated personal growth, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement. She has the integrity to learn from challenges, grow stronger, and serve more effectively.
For all these reasons I am proud to support her. Our town deserves this kind of leadership, and Kathee is the kind of person who will put our community first and deliver.
DENISE SAVARESE
Will Supervise
East Hampton Village
June 4, 2026
To the Editor:
How silly!
A local official fixes roads and upholds community standards. He or she does not formulate national economic policy or forge world peace so a national party designation is superfluous. If one does need political parties for East Hampton Town, how about the Stop Light Party or the Pothole Party? That would make more sense.
I am pleased we call our town’s chief a supervisor. The role is to supervise all aspects of town government. How has that gone? Clearly no supervision over the Town Building Department. Same with the senior community center embarrassment. And the colossal waste of money in trying and miserably failing to close or alter the airport. It is not sufficient to say that the money was from landing fees, not tax assessments: Money is money. Clearly the current supervisor has failed at her responsibilities. She has not supervised.
It is time for a change. Jerry Larsen may have rubbed a few people the wrong way — that’s politics — but he has been an amazing public servant as mayor of East Hampton Village. His creativity with many new initiatives, open availability to hear complaints and deal with them, and fiscal responsibility, including tax decreases in multiple years of his tenure, all speak to his ability and dedication. He will make a superb supervisor and he will supervise.
FRANK MORGAN
McMansion on Every Lot
Montauk
June 6, 2026
Dear David,
During his campaign while village mayor, Back Door Jerry raked in $60,000 in illegal political contributions from corporations, secretive L.L.C.s, McMansion builders, real estate interests, landscaping companies, and land-use litigators. I wonder what he would rake in if he ever becomes supervisor for all of East Hampton Town?
Would the historical antecedents and traditional customs of Montauk, Amagansett, Wainscott, and Springs be replaced with a villagization of corporate businesses and a McMansion on every lot for second-home owners? Would we have a weekly rock concert at Ditch Plain? Would we witness a helicopter fly-in by Santa on Christmas at Indian Wells? Would a member of the middle-class working folk be able to afford a home anywhere in the township?
As the great Yogi once said: If you see a fork in the road, take it.
Please vote for Kathee Burke-Gonzalez and the real Democratic Committee members on June 23.
Sincerely,
BRIAN POPE
Lying and Cheating
Sag Harbor
June 6, 2026
To the Editor,
I always think of our community as almost untouched by the vitriol of the national temperature. However, that behavior, those lies, that kind of twisted fact, have come to roost in East Hampton.
Jerry Larsen is a Republican. The denials are foolish. The conversation is foolish. The additional people who are running on his slate are Republicans. The conversation is foolish. The denials are foolish.
He has been mayor of East Hampton and a lot has gone wrong under his tutelage. He does not have any leg to stand on in the sanctimony when discussing the Democrats; he just has that Trumplike ability to say things that are not true, to deny things that are true.
I wish this weren’t part of our life. I am very concerned about the future of East Hampton with this kind of massive lying and cheating.
JULIE KEYES
Heirs Apparent
East Hampton
June 1, 2026
Dear David,
The real meaning of Cantwell Court just dawned on me, but really it should be called Cantwell’s Court and it is located at Town Hall rather than 395 Pantigo Road.
The reign of King Larry and his courtiers began with King Larry’s ascension to supervisor in 2014 and, while only a two-year reign, it would have lasting impact on East Hampton for years to come. The big three boards — town, planning, and zoning — would begin to be populated with his courtiers and heirs apparent: Peter Van Scoyoc, David Lys, Cate Rogers, and Kathee Burke-Gonzalez.
Over the course of the next 12 years, King Larry’s loyal followers would begin to rotate through the ranks, remaking East Hampton with such pet projects as the senior citizen center, certificate of occupancy requirements, Cantwell Court, tax increases for all, introduction of affordable housing overlays (regardless of where and what the land was), building of massive housing projects with state money for all of New York State to enjoy, and an occasional arrest of a Town employee or two for bribery. The list goes on and on.
With all of this in mind, June 23 is not so much an election, but rather a No Kings march at the ballot. I think most of us can agree that this has been a reign we would like to end. Frankly, East Hampton deserves better. East Hampton deserves a fresh start and this time without a king or queen.
Best,
MARY WASERSTEIN
Public Processes
East Hampton Village
June 7, 2026
David,
Jerry Larsen often cites transparency as one of his administration’s major accomplishments. That is an important standard — and one worth applying seriously. But transparency is not measured by slogans, press releases, or selective disclosures. It is measured by whether residents receive complete, timely, and accurate information when it matters.
If transparency is his North Star, Jerry Larsen falls far short.
His own comment about the East Hampton Village Foundation is telling: “What the foundation allows me to do is get things done quicker than I would be able to do. Getting money for the park, for example, I didn’t have to bond for it and then go to referendum.”
That statement should concern every East Hampton resident. Bonding and referendums are not mere inconveniences. They are public processes designed to ensure notice, debate, financial accountability, and voter participation. When an elected official praises a private foundation because it allows him to avoid those processes, residents are entitled to ask whether transparency is truly being advanced — or bypassed.
This is especially troubling where the foundation operates in close proximity to village government, village priorities, and village leadership. If private money is being used to accomplish public projects, East Hampton residents deserve full disclosure: Who is funding the foundation, how decisions are made, what influence donors may have, and whether public oversight is being avoided.
Transparency does not mean moving faster by moving around the public. It means letting residents see the facts, follow the money, and participate in decisions that affect their community.
Jerry Larsen should be judged not by how often he invokes transparency, but by whether his administration practices it when disclosure and public process are inconvenient.
DAVID GANZ
Lost Faith
Springs
June 8, 2026
Dear David,
Over the past several years, like many in our community, I have lost faith in the current leadership of the town. The failure to preserve the Crandall-Norfolk woodlands illustrates why. Residents have spent five years fighting to protect the woodlands, including successfully opposing an attempt by Kathee Burke-Gonzalez to quietly approve a 185-foot cell tower on designated open space in 2021. She relented only after former Councilman Jeff Bragman (and The East Hampton Star) sounded the alarm to local residents resulting in 600 local people publicly supporting the woodlands, which, as designated open space, is legally protected from development.
Before Mr. Bragman spoke up, Ms. Burke-Gonzalez was on track to find a 185-foot tower on our only remaining swath of open space that would have had little to no environmental impact on our densely populated year-round community.
In 2022, residents nominated the woodlands for inclusion in the town’s nature preserve system. The Springs citizens advisory committee and the nature preserve committee recommended preservation.
At a Springs C.A.C. meeting, Cate Rogers told my neighbor as she made an impassioned plea to preserve the land, “No one disagrees with you.” And yet four years later Ms. Burke-Gonzalez has refused to preserve the woodlands. As a result, many of us distrust Ms. Burke-Gonzalez, whose actions have too often lacked adequate planning and disregarded input from community members as well as the recommendations of town advisory committees.
Jerry Larsen took a different approach. He came to visit the woodlands, met with local residents, and listened to our concerns. Last week, he publicly committed to preserving the woodlands if elected town supervisor.
As someone who has spent two decades working on social justice and progressive causes, including to elect Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders, to me progressive leadership means listening to the community, respecting public input, and protecting shared resources. All traits Mr. Larsen has demonstrated here.
This land is a treasured community resource that has provided generations of local families with a place to walk their dogs, ride their bicycles, and hike through the woods. Mr. Larsen understands what these woodlands mean to the people who call this community home. The Crandall-Norfolk woodlands are a place where memories are made, traditions are passed down, and residents can experience the natural character that makes this part of Springs special. I hope the hundreds of local residents who stood with us in 2021 to oppose development of the woodlands will join me in voting for Jerry Larsen and his slate of Democratic Committee members.
Thank you,
JACQUELINE ESPOSITO
Future of East Hampton
East Hampton
June 8, 2026
Editor:
Our democracy functions best when citizens exercise their fundamental right to vote. The upcoming Democratic primary is an important election for the future of East Hampton. Jerry Larsen, the current village mayor, is challenging incumbent Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez after failing in an overwhelming fashion to secure the endorsement of the East Hampton Democratic Committee. In addition, Mr. Larsen is seeking to pack the Democratic committee with the minions who will follow his lead.
For Democrats who care about the future of our town and the health of our democratic institutions, participation in this election is essential. The primary will be held on June 23. Early voting begins Saturday and continues through June 21 at Windmill Village, 219 Accabonac Road.
In addition to choosing candidates for public office, voters will also elect representatives to the East Hampton Democratic Committee. In many districts, voters will be choosing between experienced incumbent committee members and Jerry Larsen’s hand-chosen candidates.
For more than eight years, I have had the privilege of representing Election District 8 on the East Hampton Democratic Committee. During that time, I have knocked on many doors, worked with fellow Democrats throughout the town, and helped support Democratic candidates and causes. I respectfully ask for your vote for me and my colleague, Juan Roldan, to continue representing E.D. 8.
I am deeply concerned about efforts that could undermine the independence and effectiveness of the Democratic Committee. A healthy political organization depends on diverse viewpoints, open debate, and members who exercise independent judgement. Those values are worth protecting, and they begin with participation at the ballot box.
Please note that Kathee Burke-Gonzalez has numerous public endorsements, including from Governor Kathy Hochul, Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni, Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker, former East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell, and John Avlon, the First District 2024 Democratic candidate for Congress, as well as former Village Mayors Paul Rickenbach and Richard Lawler and other community leaders such as Barbara Borsack and Joan Osborne.
Please make your voice heard in the Democratic primary on June 23.
JEREMIAH T. MULLIGAN
Unified Approach
East Hampton Village
June 6, 2026
Dear Editor,
The irony currently unfolding in East Hampton is difficult to ignore. On one hand, the town is conducting door-to-door outreach and forming task forces in response to PFAS contamination following the Cove Hollow Road battery plant fire. The message is one of urgency and public protection.
On the other hand, the town is engaged in federal litigation against East Hampton Village seeking damages for PFAS contamination linked to the Wainscott airport and firefighting foam. Rather than focusing legal pressure on the chemical manufacturers that produced these substances, the town has escalated a high-stakes legal battle against a neighboring municipality.
This inconsistency in approach is striking. In one instance, the town presents itself as a protector and coordinator of remediation; in another, it pursues jurisdictional disputes over the same class of contaminants. For residents, this results in confusion and frustration.
PFAS pollution is a serious threat to public health across the East End. Our communities should not be caught in the middle of intergovernmental litigation while the manufacturers who profit from these chemicals remain outside the immediate focus of local conflict.
At a time when collaboration and transparency are urgently needed, the public deserves a unified approach that prioritizes cleanup and accountability over legal disputes between neighbors.
Best regards,
RYAN PRIZZI ZWICK
The Law Is Clear
East Hampton
June 4, 2026
Dear Mr. Rattray,
On June 3, Nick LaLota voted against House Continuing Resolution 86 directing Donald Trump “pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.”
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying armed forces into hostilities. This resolution also mandates that the president withdraw the armed forces within 60 days unless Congress declares war or grants an extension. Congress has neither declared war nor voted for an extension of hostilities.
The law is clear. Under Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution, Congress, not the president, has the power to declare war. The War Powers Resolution was passed to reinforce Congress’s constitutional authority to declare war. Trump has ignored this law.
With his vote, Mr. LaLota supported Trump and ignored the House’s responsibility as provided under the Constitution and reinforced by the War Powers Resolution. Is Mr. LaLota upholding the Constitution as he swore to do, or is he doing Trump’s bidding?
SALVATORE TOCCI