With the coming retirement of State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle, eastern Long Island voters have a renewed opportunity to gain a more active and responsive representative in the New York Legislature’s upper chamber.

Two matters for voters to decide in the form of propositions are included on the Nov. 3 ballots for most Suffolk residents. The first would lengthen the term of office for county legislators. The second would allow the county to avoid repaying money it borrowed from a sewer-tax reserve fund. We recommend “no” votes on both propositions.

It is about 30 miles in a more or less straight line from Point Judith, R.I., to the Montauk Inlet. My friend Jameson and I made the crossing Saturday, sailing Cerberus to its new home.

I am only too happy to revisit Midtown. I will never see another youthful dawn in Alphabet City, but there will always be Macy’s.