LOCAL NEWS & LETTERS

Stay informed and connected to local issues, decisions, and stories that directly shape life in Southampton

Letters to the Editor

Kudos to John Neely, who wrote a letter expressing his frustration with Congressman Nick LaLota regarding issues that included the present administration’s pulling funding in several states which aids students with hearing and vision loss [“A Few Questions,” Letters, December 22].
Last November, I too wrote to Mr. LaLota both as a parent and an advocate of my organization, AHRC, which aids and supports among the most vulnerable of us: the developmentally disabled population. … [more]
Living in the never-ending reality show: Every morning feels like stepping onto a roller-coaster you didn’t agree to ride.
You wake up, turn on the news and brace yourself. What did the president say today? What new shock, what new threat, what new performance designed to keep the spotlight fixed squarely on him?
The country isn’t being governed — it’s being produced. We’re not citizens anymore. We’re an audience. … [more]
Recently, I read two pieces of good news: A federal judge lifted the stop-work order on Sunrise Wind, making it 0-5 in the administration's effort to kill East Coast offshore wind projects that are already in construction; and another federal judge found illegal the secret panel of climate change deniers that the administration assembled in order to try and overturn a key finding on climate change, that it endangers human health.
Governor Kathy Hochul has been supporting offshore wind, and offshore wind will bring clean power to the East End. But she has been backsliding on New York's other renewable energy goals. A judge actually ruled that the state is violating its own law by not releasing rules on schedule for the Clean Air Initiative, which will fund electrification infrastructure and homeowner upgrades … [more]
As you all remember reading in the newspapers and watching on television, the slogan "Make America Great Again," the slogan used by our present sitting president as he campaigned for the office of president of the United States of America — I thought that America was great already!
The bombing of boats off Venezuela and killing of people, and then the use of the military to capture the president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, and his first lady, and then taking their oil and oil ships, which did not belong to the United States — I ask, how is that making America great again? … [more]
“Tissue of lies” is a term I've always found deliciously descriptive. It comes from the French “tissu,” meaning a fabric of different interwoven materials; hence, a story composed of closely related falsehoods, a complex, interconnected fiction.
I can’t think of a better term to describe Ron Fisher’s recent letter attacking Southampton Democratic Chairman Gordon Herr [“A New Table,” February 5]. It is a classic tissue of lies. … [more]
Considering recent historically low poll numbers, and special election results, it is clear to most Americans today that trying to convince those MAGA folk who still support the dangerous incompetence and illegal behavior of the current criminal administration and its leader (a convicted felon) that it is time for them to go is a waste of time and energy.
If January 6, the pardoning of all the insurrectionists, the elimination of USAID, the hundreds of losing lawsuits, the cruel, baseless threats to elected officials (simple-minded political retribution), the gestapo-like tactics of ICE, the elimination of expertise and legitimacy in the Department of Justice, the FBI and the Department of Defense (War?), the lawless bombing and unauthorized brutal killing in … [more]
President Donald Trump’s denial about climate change has led to the repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding, which identified greenhouse gases as a threat to public health. Additionally, climate assessment efforts by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration and NASA have been reduced.
Climate change exists; key facts include: … [more]
I read with great concern the articles in the media of the ICE raids across the country and the alleged violation of our civil rights. We should all be greatly concerned. However, our anger and frustration is, in my opinion, somewhat misdirected.
Congress and both Republican and Democratic administrations have over many decades failed to reconcile our immigration laws with how we live our lives. We make great use of our immigrant neighbors when we need them — think: snow removal, most recently — while not insisting that Congress face reality and revise our laws to reflect how this country has historically depended upon hardworking immigrants as a dynamic source of energy and economic growth.
ICE is simply, albeit crudely and ineptly, trying to enforce laws that Congress has failed to modify to keep up with the country’s needs. Congressional inaction is at the root of this problem. Congress needs to legalize a citizenship pathway for those who have lived here productively for years, provide more resources to … [more]
In his rebuttal to my Letter to the Editor regarding the threat posed by a warming climate [“In a Pickle,” Letters, February 26], Ed Surgan asserts, “The cost-benefit analysis after decades of regulatory interference with our economy vs. any discernible climate improvement didn’t make sense.”
Mr. Surgan’s reference isn't specific, so I'm unclear about which costs and benefits apply to whom, and over what range. With my background in health care, I could better address cost-benefit questions tied to hospital reimbursement schemes — perhaps that's a discussion for another time.
For those interested, though, I have read several articles on the topic. … [more]
Congressman Nick Lalota — come out, come out, wherever you are!
I know you are hiding somewhere, because I still get emails from you telling me what a great guy you are and how you are saving me bundles of cash with your tireless work on my behalf. But you still won’t agree to have a town hall meeting with your constituents. Heck, you won’t even respond to questions I have asked you in recent editions of this paper … [more]
I am writing in response to the article "Bridgehampton Horse Farm Plan Would Raise 70,000sf of Structures on Preserved Land" [27east.com, March 2].
The applicant, Gabi Morris, and her attorney, Wayne Bruyn, have argued that because the easement entered into when the town spent $1.8 million in taxpayer dollars to purchase the development rights mentions equestrian rights, they should be allowed to engage in all types of equine use, since “agriculture” is defined broadly by New York. But they ignore that this easement is very specific and prohibits all commercial use with one limited exception: the raising of crops, livestock and livestock products. … [more]
I had planned to write a seething letter of contempt for Congressman Nick LaLota, joking about whether anyone has recently conducted a wellness check to see if he was still alive, or whether someone in the Trump administration has been operating him like a marionette for the past few months. Though, to our misfortune, both are in fact true.
But, sure enough, Tom Neely beat me to the punch [“Asking Questions,” Letters, March 12]. And for good reason.
I’d like to remind everyone who is subject to the same onslaught of news coming out of this administration that the dismal state of this country, and indeed much of the world, is … [more]
Two very large spec houses' trees on my street were severely damaged this week. North Haven Village quickly reached out to the LLC owner after I phoned, but a tremendous amount of damage had already been done.
At the request of the owner, workers had limbed the trees up so that between 60 and 75% of the lower limbs had been removed. These are tall trees, mature, and used by wildlife for food and for protection. They are also on a scenic easement property … [more]
Neighbors in Support of Immigrants is planning our fifth annual bicycle distribution. This highly successful project not only fills a need for transportation to summer jobs but also reuses bikes that might otherwise rust away.
If you have a used bicycle in good condition, please consider donating it. On April 11 or 12, we will make a trip from Hampton Bays to the East Hampton area, stopping along the way to pick up bikes in good condition. We can pick up bikes closer to Hampton Bays at other times. Please email supportimmigrants@gmail.com or text 914-260-0499 if you would like to donate a bike … [more]
While watching the thrilling launch of Artemis II to orbit the moon, I thought back to my diving trip to Grand Turk, the splashdown site for John Glenn’s 1962 Friendship 7 mission in the Mercury Program. The Splashdown Grand Turk exhibit had a replica capsule that was so tiny compared to what we have achieved today. It is hard not to be awed by the accomplishments made since then.
Despite all the chaos and hatred in this world, the NASA team has worked for years to achieve a singular goal, and this week they prevailed in their scientific mission. … [more']

Local News

GET INVOLVED - TAKE ACTION