Eight Years of Progress

Dear Bryan,

As you know, I have been in involved in the politics of our school district for eight years now and feel I have a good perspective on how far we have come.   I first got involved in 2004 with a group of parents, teachers and community members focused on improving our district.  Our position was that Sag Harbor Schools were really on the cusp of achieving great things but were hindered by legacy/provincial thinking,  poor community communication from the District and out of control spending.   We pushed for progressive program options for students(ie, more AP offerings and curriculum consistency from grade to grade),  open communication from the Board of Education and transparent budgeting/financial reporting.   Eight years ago parents felt that there was a drop off in standards between the elementary school and the middle school, teachers felt they needed to get the tools and the support from the district to provide a more dynamic program and the tax payer was left in the dark trying to understand why there were double digit budget increases year to year.

Fast forward eight years and most of these goals have been realized.  There is greater accountability between the Board of Education and the District, our budgeting process is streamlined and open for all to see and most important, our students are achieving at consistently higher  levels every year.    It is even more impressive that our district has been able to preserve program and reduce spending increases in an era when other districts have had to radically cut staff and program due to the economy and employee contract obligations.

This has not been achieved in a vacuum!!! Hard work, difficult decision making and leadership are required to move the bar.  We have our current Board of Education and as well as the past  leadership of Walter Wilcoxen to thank for the current success of our district.   On Tuesday May 15th,  I encourage everyone in our community to support the proposed budget, but just as important, we need to re-elect Walter Wilcoxen and Gregg Schiavoni.    Walter’s experience in consensus building, commitment to open communication and  accountability are still needed to move our district forward.   Greg’s foundation in the history of Sag Harbor  has proven to be invaluable in making sure that the voice of the community, old and young, is heard.  He is hard working, well prepared and believes in evaluating and improving the program offered by the district while preserving the qualities of our history that make it special.

Knowledgeable, dedicated and experienced board members are what we need to continue the progress we have made…we can’t afford to go backwards.

Keep the team in place!!!!  VOTE WILCOXEN & SCHIAVONI

Steve Clarke

7th GradeParent

Sag Harbor

Background on School Buses

Dear Bryan,

On May 3rd a half-page ad appeared in the Express encouraging people to vote No on Proposition #2, the purchase of buses for the Sag Harbor School District. The ad asks, “What is our core mission?” and was purportedly paid for by Parents who want Educators to be Educators not Bus Operators.

Some background information is in order for your readers to understand the context of this ad which misses the essential point that buying school buses has enabled educational programs to remain in place. In 2008-2009, the Sag Harbor District did not own any school buses. Since then the District has bought five school buses in an effort to reduce the amount of money it spends on contracted bus services. That effort has paid off. In addition to greater flexibility for students to take educational field trips, the District will spend $720,000 less for transportation this school year than it did in 2008-2009. In the three years that the District has owned buses, it has spent a cumulative total of over $1,500,000 less than it would have paid for contractual transportation for that same period of time.

The ad claims that school administrators’ efforts should be devoted to the core mission of educating students and not spending time and effort on tasks associated with operating buses. The reality is that school administrators are continually focused on improving outcomes for students. The administrators and Board of Education are always faced with the task of producing more learning for students within the resources that our taxpayers can provide. Spending less money on bussing is a cost-effective strategy that helps students continue to have access to high quality educational programs because money is reallocated from overhead to academics.

Does it require time and effort to manage a transportation program? Of course it does. A small percentage of the Superintendent’s and Business Official’s time is spent on transportation issues. But, has the education of Sag Harbor’s students suffered as a result of that effort? Emphatically, No! The time and effort have been worth it because in a time when many school districts have had to lay off teachers thereby curtailing programs for students, the Sag Harbor School District has not eliminated any programs for students. Educational programs and services have been preserved and, in fact enhanced — note the recent improvements to the auditorium, the implementation of Pre-Kindergarten, the addition of a high school math teacher, the pending International Baccalaureate Program, and improvements to the elementary playground. How has that been possible? There have been other significant cost savings initiatives, but the fact that over $1.5 million dollars has been diverted from contractual transportation costs to educational programs is a prime reason why educational programs have remained intact.

Proposition #2 will be voted upon May 15th in conjunction with the school budget. It asks voters to approve up to $575,000 to purchase buses that would nearly eliminate the need for outside buses from contractors. It is expected to save the school district approximately an additional million dollars over the next 10 years when compared to the same services provided by contracting for buses. That additional $1,000,000 in savings is despite estimated yearly increases in expenses for gas, maintenance, and drivers’ costs as well as buying the buses.

Will operating a fleet of a dozen buses consume some time and effort from administrators? Yes. But, rather than detract from the educational mission of the school district, the purchase of buses is a means to an end which furthers that educational mission because so much more money can be reallocated to education instead of overhead.

The Sag Harbor Board of Education devoted six workshops to the scrutiny of expenses for the 2012-2013 school year in a constant effort to provide a high-quality education at a cost that is reasonable to taxpayers. The budget that voters will vote upon on May 15th keeps the same high-quality educational programs in place in 2012-13 as are currently in place. The budget has no cuts to educational programs.

The Board also voted unanimously to put Proposition # 2 before the voters because passage of it will enable transportation costs to be reduced — thus helping to keep educational programs intact. Please don’t be deceived by a dubious ad. Instead, please cast an informed vote on May 15th. Voting will be from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Pierson gym.

Sincerely

Dr. John Gratto

Superintendent of Sag Harbor Schools

Supports Tom Gleeson

Dear Bryan,

With the School Budget and School Board Election Vote soon upon us on May 15th, I would like to speak out in support of one of the people running for a seat on the Board. Tom Gleeson has been a resident of Sag Harbor since 2005; over the years I have seen him at a majority of the public School Board meetings. He is well informed as to not only the educational issues but also the budgetary issues that all board members must address. Through many discussions with Tom, I know how passionate he is about the value of a good education, while at the same time, as a homeowner, sensitive to the pressures put on the people who pay the taxes that make our school district operate.

I feel Tom has realistic opinions about what programs the school should be implementing and how they should do it; at the same time, he is open minded, realizes it takes consensus to come up with a solution and does not have an ego that would stand in the way of finding those solutions. It is because of his love of the community that Tom is running for Board. I feel he will be an excellent addition in a time when a Tax Cap is making every decision crucial in the upcoming years.

Respectfully,

Richard Kudlak

Sag Harbor

Supports Wilcoxen and Schiavoni

Dear Bryan,

This year the Board of Education has proposed a School Budget that does not exceed the tax cap. In other words, despite the rising costs associated with running the school district, our School Board has managed to build and present a budget with less than a 2% increase.

What is more remarkable is that they have presented a budget with virtually all our programs and staffing intact!

During a very challenging and uncertain economy, this Board has refused to lose its positive and determined vision to develop and responsibly improve upon our children’s education. Bringing in the IB program and the Pre-K program are strong examples of this.

Walter Wilcoxen and Gregg Schiavoni are running for re-election to this impressive School Board. They have earned our support by their dedicated and effective leadership.

We should all turn out to support the School Budget with a YES vote and allow these men the opportunity to continue their good work for our district.

We are lucky to have them both.

Sincerely,

John Battle

Sag Harbor

A Wholehearted Endorsement

To Editor:

I wish to express my strong and wholehearted endorsement of Gregg Schiavoni and Walter Wilcoxen for the Sag Harbor School Board. Gregg and Walter have demonstrated a determined commitment to maintain high quality educational standards while keeping a steady hand on expenses. As a Sag Harbor Village Trustee and father of four young children, I fully appreciate the balance between quality and cost.  This is a continuing struggle that requires the substantial experience and leadership of Walter and Gregg.  The School Board faces serious challenges in the near future with the upcoming teacher contracts, the tax cap and the implementation of the IB program.  Gregg and Walter’s ability to build consensus with the other board members will be required to achieve success on any of these material issues.

Please use your vote wisely and help to maintain strong schools in this community by voting for Gregg Schiavoni and Walter Wilcoxen.

Timothy Culver

Sag Harbor

Weighing in on Walter

Dear Bryan:

During the past few years, the Board of Education, among its many responsibilities, has made two major policy decisions fundamental to improving the academic standards of the district and the achievement of its students.  One is the adoption of the International Baccalaureate  (IB) program and the other is the start of a Pre-Kindergarten program.  I support the re-election of Walter Wilcoxen because he has been a staunch advocate for both programs and will support the ongoing work and provide the resources needed for the youngest to the oldest of our students to excel.

As Pierson’s former principal, I had personal experience working with Walter and his family — as parents and community-minded citizens — to develop and present to the public the Pierson building renovation and expansion plans.  Their support, then and now, for many initiatives to improve educational opportunities has contributed to the improvement of the Sag Harbor Schools and benefited our children.  Walter’s capacity to see and address the big issues as well as his commitment to the Sag Harbor Schools — which began two decades ago — has continued in his leadership as a school board member and president.  More recently, Walter and I collaborated in organizing the Educational Forum that gathered community input on educational issues facing the district.

Serving on the next board of education, Walter will provide the dedication, vision and continuity to ensure educational improvement including the successful implementation of IB and eventual availability of early childhood education for all.  These programs are giant leaps forward and will be instrumental in academically preparing Sag Harbor students for the next stages of their education, careers and lives.

Sincerely,

Bob Schneider

North Haven

Stands Behind the Incumbents

Dear Bryan

I am writing to voice my support for Walter Wilcoxen and Gregg Schiavoni in the upcoming election on next Tuesday, May 15th. for the Sag Harbor Board of Education.

Over the past 3 years Gregg and Walter have tirelessly served our community as board members working to preserve our programs and to keep our budget in check. This kind of successful commitment to the community is not born out of personal ambition, but out of a deep sense of what is right for our town.

First, I believe that the Board’s decision this year to proceed with the International Baccalaureate program is the single most positive action any board has taken for improving the district in the last 10 years. Without the strong support and advocacy of Gregg and Walter this may not have come to pass. The IB will strengthen our curriculum, improve staff training and give our students a fair chance at thorough preparation to enter the  global world upon graduation.

Second, as we enter new contract negotiations, we are going to need people who understand reasonable fiscal management. I know that both Gregg and Walter will have the best interests of all our tax payers in mind. We want to do everything possible to preserve our programs for our students and having strong voices at the negotiating table is the best way to achieve this. With the 2 % tax cap in place, we need  to bring our staff into a cooperative understanding that reform on benefits is a key to saving our enrichment and after school programs. Schiavoni and Wilcoxen know this, and they will work hard to get it done.

Finally and perhaps most importantly, I feel very strongly that Schiavoni and Wilcoxen have a strong commitment to a transparent process of governance. There was a time in this town when backroom deals and patronage were commonplace. Over the past six years these things have become a thing of the past. We need to shine daylight on everything our Board does and it needs to be wide open to public scrutiny. I know that Walter and Gregg are firmly rooted in the values of process and openness. Not only does this approach protect the education of our kids, it also protects the taxpayer from wasted dollars on boondoggle spending and inefficiencies in administration.

So I urge all parents, alumni, seniors and citizens at large to reelect Schiavoni and Wilcoxen on Tuesday May 15th. Let’s keep these great board members in place to keep our schools moving in a continued positive direction.

Sincerely,

David Diskin

Sag Harbor

A Responsible Budget

Dear Editor,

Many thanks are in order from Noyac. Thank you to those who participated in the Great East End Clean Up on Saturday, April 21: John Arendt, Ralph DiSpigna, Vince Starace, Chuck Neuman, Elfie Winkle, Randy Ackerman, Gary Ackerman, Julie Totero, Joe Fee, Tom Jones, Evie Jones, Aidan Crowley, Robert Smith, Janet Grossman, and Elena Loreto. Noyac  Road from Whalebone Landing to Cromer’s Market  looks cleaner because of the efforts of these folks.

At our April 24 meeting, Dr. John Gratto, Superintendent of Sag Harbor Schools explained the 2012-2013 Proposed Budget: $34,182,256, up 2.88% in spending from last year’s $33,226,084.

The spending increase of 2.88% results in an increase of 1.94% in the Real Property Tax levy. The Budget includes appropriating $500,000 from the Fund Balance.

Thank you, Dr. Gratto, Business Manager Janet Verneuille, Board of Education, and the administrators for your diligence in keeping the budget under the 2% cap.

The Noyac Civic Council urges all voters to make informed decisions by perusing the budget and bus referendum on the website http://www.sagharborschools.org/.  If you have additional concerns, Dr. Gratto will answer your questions at (631) 725-5300 ext. 411.

Elena Loreto,

President, Noyac Civic Council

Opposes Ferry

Dear Bryan

I am against the proposed Sag Harbor — Greenport  ferry because I am concerned about the environmental impact on air and water. Sag Harbor is no place for a “transportation center,” which should be kept outside the village preferably in North Haven as it is.

The character and beauty of Sag Harbor are important to me and I don’t believe the village can handle  the additional traffic congestion on Bay Street, Route 114 (Hampton Road), Main Street and on the wharf.

In the near future, we will  have  cars from the condominium project adding to Hampton Road traffic problems.

Sincerely,

Linda Lilienfeld

Sag Harbor

Reasons to Run

Dear Bryan,

I have decided to run for my third term on the School Board. I believe there are three critical areas the School Board must consider in the coming years:

1. Supporting our application to become an International Baccalaureate School is crucial. If our students are to succeed in their future careers they will need a deeper education, more rigorous studies, greater critical thinking skills and the ability to examine and defend their knowledge. We not only have to support IB but also continue to support Pre-K for all students. We also need to continually assess our K-12 curriculum, not just for those who go on to higher studies but for all students. The ability to research, synthesize, and communicate is just as important for carpenters as it is for scientists.

2. The Proposed Budget this year does not exceed the tax cap due to the hard work, thoughtful planning, and cost savings captured by our administrators. They have pared our costs to the bone. As we look to the future, the only savings we can expect are our increasing labor costs. We have worked very hard to avoid layoffs and to keep programs in place during difficult financial circumstances. We should start an honest discussion about our labor agreements, now, in order to preserve and improve what we have. I suggest we begin by educating the public and our hard working employees about the difficulties and complications regarding employee contracts. We have long standing promises and commitments to teachers and support staff and we need to appeal for their co-operation in this shared financial crisis. We should clearly explain and honestly discuss the true cost of benefits such as retirement, medical insurance, social security contributions, automatic yearly step increases, negotiated annual increases and column advances for professional development. Only by educating our community and our staff can we then speak honestly to each other about our labor costs and the long term implications for our financial stability. Currently the New York State Teacher’s Union does not agree to open discussion and that causes unnecessary hostility. I believe transparency is the way to come together as a community with a solution that is fair for all. We like to say “its for the students.” But it’s also about the taxpayers. If we fail to show the taxpayers we spend their tax money wisely we will lose their support, and that will surely lead to reduced educational outcomes.

3. Accountability and transparancy have been a cornerstone of my last six years. There should be no back room deals. The BOE should discuss its concerns in the light of day in order to be held accountable. It’s not always comfortable, but required by law and ultimately strengthens the fabric of our community. Even if we do not agree with each other, at least we should know where each of us stand. And that is a good place to start the process of consensus where we are more likely to find success rather than polarized positions. I have championed consensus building for six years and will continue to promote its benefits.

I believe deeply in our school and our students’ futures. In moving toward excellence, our community needs to build on its past successes. I am proud to be part of the last six years and would like to contribute to our success for the next three years.

Thank you,

Walter Wilcoxen

Sag Harbor

Corrosive Cash

To the Editor:

The current political dysfunction that plagues our nation’s capital and our culture is well chronicled in the documentary film “Patriocracy’ that was recently screened at the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor. While there are a variety of explanations for the deterioration of our abilities to reach political consensus, the corrosive role of money in politics rises above all others. Congress is dependent upon the funders, not the voters. As a result, the broad public interest is seldom represented by a narrow political class that populates both political parties, and our elected officials are not free to lead. There is hope for change, however – and New Yorkers can light a beacon for the rest of the nation to follow in the coming weeks by working to pass significant campaign reform.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has indicated strong support for a system of public funding of elections, and New York legislative leaders will soon introduce a package of reforms in Albany that includes this important change. A diverse coalition that includes organizations such as the League of Women Voters of New York State, Citizen Action of New York, and the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU are leading this effort, including a large number of business and civic leaders from across the state organized under the banner of NY Leadership for Accountable Government (NY LEAD).

The notion of public funding of elections on the state level is not a theoretical exercise, as this system is operating effectively in New York City and is quite popular among voters there. Under this system of small donor financing, candidates are rewarded for spending time and effort talking with constituents, not large campaign donors and special interests. From a constitutional standpoint, small donor public financing expands the number of people that participate in the political process, both as candidates and contributors. It is a “more speech” approach that cherishes the first amendment of the U.S. constitution.

It is important for eastern Long Island residents to contact their Assembly members and State Senators and urge them to support this approach to an urgently needed improvement in democracy and truly representative government. New Yorkers have often been the engine of innovation for our nation, and can lead the way once again. The time is now.

Sincerely,

Rob Werner

National Field Director

Americans for Campaign Reform

Americans for Campaign Reform is chaired by former US Senators Bill Bradley (D-NJ), Bob Kerrey (D-NE), Alan Simpson (R-WY) and Warren Rudman (R-NH)

What’s Next?

Dear Mr. Boyhan,

I attended the public hearing Tuesday night on the proposed passenger ferry between Sag Harbor and Greenport. Many people raised serious questions about more congested traffic, less parking spaces, where the ferry would be re-fueled, more pollution in the air and water with seven to nine ferries a day and shuttle buses taking people to/from Long Wharf, how to monitor the results as the summer progresses and what the actual benefit to Sag Harbor would be. To these questions, and many others, the Village Board of Trustees did not have an answer.

However, my main concern is that the Board of Trustees is planning to break/change an existing law without following procedure, without getting input from the Planning Board, the Zoning Board and other groups that are usually consulted in the process of vetting a new business venture. There should be much more thought put into this. There should be much more public discussion.

Two very bad precedents are being set: 1. the Board of Trustees is bypassing a law in place, by allowing a ferry service to be established and 2. the Board of Trustees is ignoring established procedures to review any changes in law.

If the “no-ferry” law is ignored because it is deemed inconvenient, what law will be next?

Sincerely,

Anne Seelbach

North Haven

A Few Words

Dear Editor,

A word to the wise and (so as not to discriminate) to the foolish, the unseeing, the hard of hearing and understanding.

Re: Vered’s “Legs” – to some a work of art, to others a fetish and, to the Village authorities, a structure, even though attached to the residence. How about village residents who have flagpoles similarly attached to their houses and flying “old glory?” Why does “Legs” need permits, variance, set backs, what have you, and the latter does not (so far as I know)? Maybe Vered should have attached “old glory” to “Legs” thus transforming it into a “patriotic work of art.” Maybe this should end the controversy with the village board.

Re: Greenport-Sag Harbor Ferry — an excellent idea it seems, if no cars are transported. More people coming to Sag Harbor, more customers — to the benefit of our local merchants, provided they make purchases besides ice cream. And the shuttle buses? To East Hampton would seem like a ploy to circumvent the town’s ban on ferries from the North Fork. A shuttle to Bridgehampton seems superfluous. It can run from the existing ferry landing at North Haven.

Do we really need more crowds from the proposed ferry than we normally have in the summer months? My answer — to quote from a hymn: “Not till earth and not till heaven pass away.”

Sincerely,

David Carney

Sag Harbor

Suicide Bombers

To the editor,

I’ve been involved with the East End Veto for many years. I have spent 30 years in the New York City police in the streets of Manhattan and Harlem. But most important is the history of the experience of the Vietnam War, 58,000 dead!

In the beginning of the Iraq War I wrote about suicide bombers as the warning signs of the canary in the coal mine. Later on the New York Times reported in the first five years of our war 900 Iraqis committed suicide. Iraq’s response to the occupiers. I’ll let you do the math ten years later. But the story does not end here.

Tens of thousands of victims of P.T.S.D have also committed suicide. Their souls were damaged after being sent back to combat as many as six times by the powers that be in their insanity and addition to war. Even an unusual number of Army recruiters committed suicide in Texas causing an inquiry in Congress. The evidence is clear but there is still more.

Perpetual war is leading us all down the same path of self destruction. But there are other signs of hope. 70% of our citizens are against the war, Democrats and Republicans. The time has come for everyone to speak out. The alternative is perpetual war and a broken economy. 50% of our taxes are spent on the military. 4% on education.

In peace, not war.

Larry Darcey

Sag Harbor

P.S. We are the season of resurrection. Springtime the time to change from death to life.

Why Rush the Ferry?

Dear Mr. Boyhan,

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Sag Harbor has proposed a local law which would allow the issuance of a Special Permit for the operation of a ferry terminal in the Village of Sag Harbor.

This local law, as proposed, would: circumvent current village law which forbids a ferry terminal, deny the normal review of the proposed ferry terminal by any other board or committee of the Village, and place all review, after adoption of the local law, to the Board at its sole, non-public discretion.

The local law was subject to a hearing on April 10th, at which very basic questions were asked by the public such as- where will the ferry dock, how big is the dock, how many passengers will the ferry accommodate, will the ferry require additional services from the Village, what will the Village charge, what is the expected mix of passengers (local, bus, car), and so on.  The response from the Board was essentially — “we don’t know.”

Beyond these fundamental questions the larger issues of “why” were asked.  Why such a rush to accommodate a private, for-profit business?  Why set a precedent of circumventing the Village code?  Why will this benefit the residents of Sag Harbor?  Why should Sag Harbor risk additional traffic and parking congestion to accommodate ferry riders from all over the south fork?   Why isn’t the Town of East Hampton being asked for similar relief so that a ferry terminal could be sited, in say Three Mile Harbor, for the benefit of East Hampton residents?  Again, no response beyond “it seems like a good idea.”

Having a ferry system that coordinates with rail and bus services for the East End could be a great addition and benefit for all. Having a single ferry that concentrates traffic in Sag Harbor is a detriment, without over-riding benefit, for the residents of Sag Harbor.  That is why such a service is not allowed in the Village code.

It would be far better for the sponsors of this proposal, both private and public, to develop a test plan that emulates the long term goal of an East End resource and involved ALL the east end communities.  It may well be time for a private/public effort to test a ferry system, but it is not time to use the Village of Sag Harbor’s residents as guinea pigs.

Sincerely,

Pierce W. Hance

Sag Harbor

For Further Reading

Dear Bryan,

Whatever motivated the members of the Zoning Board of Appeals to order the removal of The Legs, it clearly was not a desire to fulfill the objectives of the zoning rules. The Legs stand directly along side of a larger building. Removing them will not remove a blockage to light and air. They do not obstruct in any serious manner the neighbors’ view. If the village ever decides to widen the road, The Legs can be moved with little notice or expense. The only precedent that would be set by approving their placement would be that exemptions to the setback rules will be granted when no public purpose would be advanced by not granting them.

I suggest, strongly suggest, that those responsible for the ZBA decision read Bery v. City of New York, 97 F.3d 689 (2 Federal Cir.1996). In that case, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which is our Federal circuit, ruled that New York City could not reduce street congestion by requiring that street vendors of pictures be licensed. (The United States Supreme Court later declined the city’s invitation to overturn that decision.)

The Bery case clearly and unambiguously established the rule that the status of an object as art will block the application to it of local restrictions, including local zoning rules, unless a sufficiently important public benefit would result from enforcing the restriction. The Bery rule is directly on point and is controlling of The Legs matter.

The fact that the art could be sold elsewhere than on the streets was declared by the Second Circuit to be irrelevant for the same reasons that the fact that The Legs could be exhibited elsewhere in Sag Harbor is irrelevant. All locations are not equal and the owners have the right to select the location that best conveys their message to its intended audience.

In Bery the Second Circuit stated:

“..the City’s requirement that appellants be licensed in order to sell their artwork in public spaces constitutes an unconstitutional infringement of their First Amendment rights.”

This was so despite the fact that the New York City rule was designed to prevent street congestion, a legitimate public purpose. What then of the ZBA’s order that The Legs depart from their present site, an order which protects no discernible public interest within the ZBA’s mandate?

The decision of the ZBA gives the impression of a minor-league autocracy flaunting its power and is an embarrassment to Sag Harbor. If the owners of The Legs appeal to the courts, embarrassment quickly will become humiliation, expensive humiliation!

Best wishes,

Philip T Kaplan

North Haven

Birth of a Banana Republic?

Dear Bryan:

Is it not unthinkable that a sitting President would argue that the Supreme Court should not focus on whether Obamacare is allowed according to our Constitution?  Rather, the Court, Obama argues, should uphold the law based on the perceived impact to certain people even if the law is unconstitutional.

Fair reader, if the Supreme Court no longer used the criteria of constitutionality to determine whether or not the other two branches of our government have acted within their given powers, America would become a banana republic.

Obama’s views are disturbing and a threat to our democracy and freedom.  And the fact that the mainstream media has not challenged him on these views is even more disturbing, yet not unexpected.

Bill Jones

Hampton Bays

Give the Ferry a Chance

Dear Bryan,

The proposed pilot program to operate a passenger ferry service between Sag Harbor and Greenport Villages for one season is a very worthwhile experiment for all involved—Village and local area residents, businesses, tourists and even the ferry service operators themselves. There are so many variables that no amount of prior research can predict what would happen.

As much as I believe it would be beneficial to our quality of life by possibly reducing the number of automobiles entering the Village, no one knows for sure. In my opinion, the pilot program would be the best way to research possible outcomes of passenger ferry service to and from Sag Harbor. And I applaud the proposed operators for being willing to undertake an experiment without having any long-term commitment from the Village.

The Village literally has no control at all over the number of vehicles that come here during the season. Our traffic and parking woes keep growing every year and the only “solution” I hear is to build more parking lots. And of course, that would only make our traffic problems worse.

Whether we like it or not, Sag Harbor Village is a major visitor destination. We need to find creative ways to get some of those visitors here without their cars. The problem isn’t the people, it’s the cars!

The Hampton Jitney has done a great job of bringing visitors to Sag Harbor from New York City without autos. For example, I know of many people who divide their time between Manhattan and Sag Harbor and don’t even own a car. They use the Jitney and then walk or bike ride when here. Now the Hampton Jitney owners, in concert with Response Marine Inc., are willing to explore the possibility of bringing some visitors to Sag Harbor by passenger ferry, with connecting shuttle buses if needed, to further reduce the impact of autos in the Village.

We should do everything we can to insure their success.

Hank de Cillia

Bridgehampton

Preserve the Wellness Policy

Dear Bryan,

The issue I’m writing about is being voted on Wednesday, April 18th, by the Sag Harbor School Board of Education. The school’s Wellness Committee has worked hard to create a district nutrition/wellness policy that was adopted about a year and a half ago. The policy supports optimal nutrition and wellness standards and creates a template for the school system to maintain healthy guidelines and practices for its students and staff. This comprehensive policy is now in danger of falling apart.

Apparently several school board members believe certain aspects of the policy should be revisited. Like allowing food and beverages back in our school that contain high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, hydrogenated oils, and non-nutritive sweeteners. The fact that this is even open for debate is like re-examining a woman’s right to vote or the world is flat theory.

Having three children in the school system, I know first hand that part of the curriculum is devoted to educating the students about healthy eating and regular exercise. Good hygiene. Caring for your teeth. Don’t smoke or use drugs. Safe sex. Don’t bully. It’s a long list and I’m all for it. I don’t know a parent who isn’t. But for the school to teach our children about good nutrition and healthy food choices and then knowingly sell items in school vending machines and the school cafeteria — that national research evidences are carcinogens and leading causes of obesity, type two diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, cancer — why on earth would we deliberately teach one thing and then sell them the exact thing we teach against? Why would a school system enable students in developing habits that lead to chronic disease? It’s both irrational and irresponsible.

It’s true, we can’t always control what our kids do outside of school. Beyond the walls of Pierson and our homes are a world full of choices — good and bad. But this same school board and administration is ready to bring in drug sniffing dogs and that’s a pretty extreme measure. We know kids can still use drugs and alcohol outside of school but the attitude seems to be: well, while they are in school, we’re going to keep our kids safe from drugs and set the best possible example. So then shouldn’t we apply the same reasoning to our Wellness Policy? We can’t really control what kids will eat or drink outside of school, but while in school, we can at least set the right example and practice what we preach.

And I would expect nothing less of educators.

We know outside of school, some kids will still drink soda, not floss, smoke cigarettes, play video games instead of ride their bike and, yes, even take drugs and have unsafe sex. But as a school system we haven’t abandoned those parts of the curriculum that teach our children not to engage in unhealthy behavior simply because we can’t control them outside of school. And we limit and ban unhealthy choices in other aspects of our school — we don’t say to our students after teaching them about the dangers of smoking, “Okay kids, at recess you can either play kickball over on this field or go smoke cigarettes over by the playground.”

We don’t teach one thing and practice another in any other area of school. So let’s be consistent and apply the same standard to our nutrition and wellness policy.

In the end, teachers and parents bear the same burden. We’re both raising children and hoping we don’t screw it up. At a young age they love us both unconditionally. They trust us. They believe us. We hold a lot of power in shaping these young supple minds. So we start early, filling their little heads with everything we know to be right and good, honest and true, and just. They soak it up like sponges.

But at some point they test us.

They question, reject, mistrust and rebel. And as both parents and teachers we hope that we did the best we could. That we gave them all the information available and the tools to analyze, create, process, synthesize, think critically and thoroughly (not just learn how to take a test, sorry, just a little dig there) and yes, we pray that we ourselves set the right example. And before we know it, it’s entirely up to them. They are grown and off on their own. Our fingers crossed, we worry and wonder whether we did everything possible to lead them in the right direction so they go on to make healthy, responsible choices.

This issue is not a bar that anyone should be in favor of lowering. I fail to see how negotiating below the best possible standards can even be an option for our children. Particularly in the environment of education.

Parents, teachers and community members all have a vested interest in seeing that future generations learn and practice a healthy lifestyle. It’s for the greater good. And we can all make a difference toward that goal by starting in our own little village. One email or phone call to our school. Please go to www.sagharborschools.org and contact a member of the school’s Wellness Committee. By signing the petition you can help ensure that the current policy remains in place so the school district can continue to promote a healthy learning environment that includes a quality nutritional and physical education program for the children in our community.

Thank you Bryan and to your readers.

Sincerely,

Allison Scanlon

North Haven

Oppose Ferry

Dear Editor,

You can’t help wondering if, in a few years from now, we will look back and shake our heads at the last few years when food and energy prices have soared, where droughts, floods and tornadoes were the norm, and the world population reached a staggering figure.

Among the multiple reasons for this plight is a reluctance to face them squarely, and take action, particularly in our battle against global warming. And in the same way we avert our gaze from the consequences of  a “popular” action being considered here, now.

At first a ferry to Greenport on a catamaran sounded wonderful. I could picture myself flying along with the wind in my hair and getting off at Greenport in time for a concert. Next thing jumped to mind was children’s safety on the water in the summertime near a giant catamaran. They’re having fun on kayaks, sailboats, canoes, jet skis and on paddle boards balancing along, crowds of them, and there could be accidents.

I thought of the congestion of cars and people near the water. I began to worry about what would propel this large catamaran on a windless day. Some extra fossil fuel I expect for our already polluted waters. And finally I saw the increase of heavy buses rumbling through our picturesque streets spilling a little nectar from their exhaust pipes.

The ferry to Greenport? Think about it. Not good for our very small planet, Sag Harbor. Emphatically NOT in the summer.

I VOTE AGAINST.

Glynne Hiller

Sag Harbor

Thanks for the Feedback

Dear Bryan,

The NCC wishes to thank all those who attended and/or spoke at the Public Forum it hosted on the Cromer’s/Whalebone traffic remediation plan. The entire Town Council and other key administrators in the Town of Southampton attended: Supervisor Throne-Holst; Council persons Fleming, Malone, Nuzzi and Scalera; Deputy Supervisor Frank Zapone; Executive Assistant to the Supervisor Janice Wilson; Deputy Town Attorney Kathleen Murray; and Director of Transportation Tom Neely. Noyac residents, business owners, landlords and neighboring folks who frequently pass this intersection filled the Bridgehampton Community Center beyond capacity. Everyone who wanted to address the issue was given a chance to present his opinion.

The feedback from our constituents indicated that the forum was constructive and  positive. The NCC appreciates the time and consideration the Town representatives  gave to this complex issue that impacts the lives of many Noyac residents on various levels.

Respectfully,

Elena Loreto, President

Noyac Civic Council

Dear Sirs,

I am writing to ask that the Town Board and citizens of Sag Harbor, NY to re-write the noise ordinance laws as currently written.

In as small and densely populated confines of the village we are all subject to noise intrusion of our neighbors, the fact is that many hire companies to mow their lawns and cut down trees and blow leafs and do many tasks that had in the past been done with quitters solutions such as a simple rake.

But these days we are subjected to a constant droning of weed whackers, leaf blowers and lawn mowers running from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 7 days a week! There is not a morning afternoon or early evening from spring and, this year it has been constant since the warm weather, we have no relief in sight other than to use ear plugs? Is there no way that we as citizens can enjoy the comfort and solitude of our homes in peace and quiet?

There is a constant droning of noise and we must regulate it as while there are many issues such as a person’s livelihood weighed against the individual’s right to peace and quiet. I suggest open debate about this issue. I think we all have been assaulted with the constant droning of high decibel machines that never cease to end! It is intolerable and we must find a solution. Perhaps people could use rakes? Perhaps a crew could take down a tree in half the time as one man cutting all day with a dull bladed chainsaw?

I think there needs to be a bit more regulation on this issue. As the law stands, a single individual could stand outside your home and run their leaf blowers from 7 a.m. to 7  p.m. without stepping outside the law? Does this make sense? I think not.

Richard Tutching

Sag Harbor

Opportunity to Comment

Dear Bryan,

I’d like to thank you and Claire Walla for your coverage of the Proposed Noyac Road Traffic Calming project. Announcing the meeting on the front page of the March 21st issue of the paper gave everyone an opportunity to know about the meeting and the attendance reflected that awareness.

The Noyac Civic Council should also be complimented for organizing the meeting and doing the survey to determine how people felt about the project. The general consensus was opposed to the current plan but in favor of less intrusive means of slowing the traffic.  Compliments also to Supervisor Anna Throne Holst and the entire Town Board who attended the meeting, heard what the community had to say and plan to revisit a phasing-in approach.

It’s a wonderful thing to see government and community working together.

I look forward to slowing the traffic and cherish preserving the rural character of Noyac and Pine Neck.

Thank you for your part.

Sincerely,

Linda Heine

Noyac

“Legs” & Regs

Dear Bryan:

Regarding the disputes about Larry Rivers’ “Legs,” let’s have some clarity about: 1. Physical objects. 2. Mental or psychological entities and processes. 3. The products of #2, including non-physical things such as ideas, e.g., Newton’s laws of motion, and also physical things, such as works of art. This last point is so regardless of status and value of the works of art, which is decided by the opinions of people. Van Gogh sold only one of his works of art in his lifetime, for not a great price — people did not give his paintings much, if any, status and value. Today people give them extremely high status and extremely high value — so his individual paintings sell for tens of millions of dollars each. Conversely, most of the paintings produced in his lifetime by most other people have been ignored and forgotten. Judgments about art are subjective and mercurial.

Larry Rivers’ “Legs” is, one, a man-made physical object, affixed in place indefinitely. So it is by definition a structure. It is also the result of Rivers’ mental activity — his ideas and imagination, so it is art, regardless of how many people think it high art versus how many who think it schlock art. That is to say, “Legs” is simultaneously both a structure and a work of art. As a work of art, government has no authority to judge it or even to comment on it. But as a physical structure, government has the long-standing and recognized authority to regulate where and how it may be situated. Thus the long-standing building codes of Sag Harbor, and, for that matter, every village, town and city in the U.S. The government of Sag Harbor has the authority to regulate where and how “Legs” may be situated and may not be situated in public.

Richard Gambino

North Haven

Regret Java’s Move

Dear Editors:

I am writing to express my deep regret over Java Nation’s impending move, the disruption of the lives of Cheryl and Andrew Bedini and their fine employees, and the gap this will create in the Sag Harbor community.

I remember hearing that a coffee roaster and shop was opening in Sag Harbor back in 1994 and I remember peaking in the windows as they readied the space. At first, I went there for the coffee, but I got something more — a community. And, the community that Cheryl and Andres created extended beyond the site of Java Nation onto the softball field, as they sponsored a softball team for many years, and into the schools, as they participated in career fairs, crafts fairs, and multicultural fairs.

While Java Nation will still be able to provide their consistently superior coffee regardless of their location, the community that Cheryl, Andrew and their dedicated employees have created is in jeopardy due to short sightedness.

We need only look at our neighbors for examples of what happens when a town fails to see the connections between economic and community values. For example, East Hampton has many so-called upscale boutiques, yet it is virtually empty in the winter, leaving a gap in the economy and in the everyday lives of the residents.

Sag Harbor can make better choices. I urge those who are forcing Cheryl and Andrew to move Java Nation to reconsider.

Yours truly,

Stephanie Wade

Sag Harbor

Crimes Against Humanity

To the editor,

Hundred of thousands of victims of P.T.S.D have preceded Staff Sgt. Bales, a 38-year-old father of two children, injured twice in combat, sent back to Iraq three times and then deployed to Afghanistan. How would you like to walk in his boots? These are crimes against humanity on both sides.

While in Afghanistan he snapped according to other soldiers and killed 16 innocent civilians, 9 of who were children. Tens of thousands of our soldiers with P.T.S.D. have committed suicide. Their souls have been damaged too. Notice the military never refers to the term souls relating to these crimes against humanity. That would raise the question of conscience. The soul of our nation needs to be awakened.

In perpetual ware where we have been taken is also a ware perpetrated upon the American people peripheral victims of P.T.S.D. In every war humanity loses. These are crimes against humanity.

In peace, not war,

Larry Darcey

Sag Harbor

Soup Cans and Giant Gams

Dear Bryan,

The fact that the Larry Rivers “Legs” is a “structure” as defined in the village code is not the end of the story. The village can, if it wishes, define a snail as a “structure”. However, if snails are a protected specie, they will remain protected even after having this honor conferred upon them. The same is true of The Legs. They clearly are an artistic expression that their owners wish to propagate, and artistic expression clearly is protected from governmental censorship by the free speech clause of the First Amendment.

Of course, the protection is not absolute. If The Legs posed a serious threat to safety or welfare, that would trump the constitutional protection and would permit the zoning board to require their removal. However, I have heard no allegations to that effect and the reasons for removal under the zoning rules seem to me to be flimsy. To require a 35 foot setback when the building that they are alongside of is about two feet from the property line defies all logic, and the other two variances such as being 1.1 feet too high seem miniscule and purposeless as applied here.

As a result, if the zoning board orders their removal, I think it clearly will be on aesthetic grounds and that is censorship which is constitutionally prohibited. If it happens, it is likely that the result will be litigation, perhaps with the intervention of the ACLU, which will be expensive and which the village will lose.

The case would be different if it were being considered by the Board of Historic Preservation & Architectural Review, which probably is where it should have gone in the first place. That board is responsible to preserve the appearance of the historic village. Were it to hold that the display of a mid-twentieth century pop art sculpture detracted from that appearance, their determination might be upheld by the courts. However, I do not think so. Many historic villages allow the display of modern artifacts as reflecting their natural evolution, and The Legs do nothing to change the historic appearance of the building behind them. Moreover, sidewalks, electric street lights, automobiles and other modern appurtenances have long been permitted in the historical area.

I think that it is time to calm the waters. To drop some of the silly statements such as that the village cannot be put in the position of determining what is “art”, or that the members of the zoning board are tired of being accused of being “anti art”. Like every level of government in our country, the village will at times need to decide whether an object is, or is not, constitutionally-protected art. Making that determination obviously will be difficult in some cases, but not in this case. The Legs, like them or not (and I do like them), are a striking example of a fascinating, New York based, chapter in modern art, featuring paintings of Campbell Soup cans, of comic book pages written large, and, yes, a 16.1 foot sculpture of feminine legs.

Best wishes,

Philip T Kaplan

North Haven

Save the Launch

March 20, 2012

Mayor Brian Gilbride

Sag Harbor Municipal Building

PO Box 660

Sag Harbor, NY  11963

RE:            SAVE THE SAG HARBOR LAUNCH SERVICE

Honorable Mayor Brian Gilbride and the Board of Trustees:

First, I want to thank you and the Board of Trustees for keeping Sag Harbor Village and harbor services inviting and service oriented for the fair-weather sailors who frequent your beautiful harbor.

However, I have become sadden by the news that the Board of Trustee has ordered the discontinuous of the launch service.  I cannot beg of you and the trustees to reconsider this action.  Like me and many baby boomers that frequently use the transient moorings inside the wall and the launch service; would not have an option in getting guest aboard, purchasing provisions, using the various services of the village without the use of the launch service.

I don’t know if you are aware, but many sailors from around the country and the world make their destinations based on harbors supplying launch services to transient like myself.  I am a regular transient to Sag harbor.  I have come there so long until many of the business owners in the village are on first name bases.  A launch service is that peace of mind that makes your home away from home safer and convenient for land services.   It also adds a peace of mind when local information is required, particularly when your tender or dinghy’s engine is down.  More importantly, the staff who ran the launch service made us feel welcome and part of the community.  Of all of the villages and harbors I frequent, it is Sag Harbor that has become my special place on Long Island.

A launch service is the decision making for transient sailor coming into a harbor.  When we are seeking information about a sailing destination in the Water Guides, we look for those harbors that supply a Launch service.  It is the life-line between you, the transient and safe harbors.

I beg of you and your Board of Trustee to reconsider reinstating the Sag Harbor launch service.  If there is anything I can do in helping you to keep the services, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely yours,

Wendell Knight

“Christine”

Start Small

Dear Bryan Boyhan and Claire Walla,

In this day and age of extreme divisiveness, Republicans vs. Democrats, liberals vs. conservaties, a group of 100 plus people from all walks of life, young and old, men and women came together to express some solid ideas. There was no fighting, no arguing.

For the past couple of months, the Sag Harbor Express has been reporting about the town’s plan for changing Noyac Road at Cromer’s Market/Whalebone General Store. On March 28, a special meeting was held by Southampton Town and the Noyac Civic Council at the Bridgehampton Nutrition Center.

Most of the people who spoke at this special meeting about Noyac Road at Cromer’s Market/Whalebone General Store came up with entirely different ideas from the town’s plan. What was interesting was that it was a common sense approach. All the residents wanted a start small approach, unlike Southampton Town’s highway superintendent Alex Gregor’s grand plan. None of the residents liked all the concrete barriers or the plans to redirect traffic into residential streets. The residents’ suggestions included rumble strips, speed bumps, stop signs and a turn lane.

If the Town of Southampton’s plan is enacted against the wishes of the local residents, it will forever change the look and character of the Noyac Hamlet. It will never go away, whereas a simple speed bump or rumble strips can be upgraded. The cost of the study was in excess of $90,000 which means that this project will be $1,000,000 or more. This figure is just my guestimate.

I would like to applaud Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst for calling this one last meeting before a decision is made. Ms. Throne-Holst said that she heard us at this meeting. I hope her promise to review the residents’ suggestions to start small is kept and enacted.

James Ding

Sag Harbor

Say “No” to Ferry

Dear Bryan,

I am opposed to the ferry going in on our village waterfront. I don’t believe there is any benefit for the village and it can do nothing but add to the town congestion, whether it is located at the wharf or in the yacht club/sanitation system area.

We have a perfectly good way to get to the North Fork right now without adding one car or busses going to and fro every hour or so until midnight.  How are busses green? And how is a ferry vs. no ferry a green solution….and  solution to what?

There would certainly be people who decide not to take the busses and  therefore  would drive and park in town to take a ferry.

We now have two parking lots, condos, and a sanitation center on our waterfront.  Our traffic in the  route #114 is lined up back almost to Jermain St in the summer  on the East Hampton side and the line coming in to Sag Harbor  from North Haven backs up frequently  to Fresh Pond Road.  Add to this the construction activity at the watch factory and after that the many cars of new condo owners and the existing jitneys and tour buses.

Our wonderful village is at huge risk of becoming a transportation center  and pass- through disaster.

The important question is…why are our trustees voting for this?  And why is this moving forward without citizen review?

Sincerely,

Jane Johnson

Sag Harbor

Lions Club Thanks

Dear Editor.

The Sag Harbor Food Pantry would like express its’ appreciation to  The Sag Harbor Lions Club for hosting a Corned Beef Dinner at Old Whalers’ Church.  A portion of the proceeds were donated to the  pantry.  Thank you so much; we are always grateful for your support of us!

Barbara Wolfram, Vice President & Communications/Volunteer Administrator

Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry

Shocked at Bare Earth

Dear Bryan,

I am a member of the Sag Harbor Tree Fund and would like you to include this letter regarding the cutting of boxwoods on Division Street last week

It was a shock to see bare earth where the ancient, billowing boxwoods used to be in front of each of the Rysam /Sleight houses. These are the two white painted houses — one built in 1740, the other in 1820 — on Division Street, near Burke. These boxwoods were a distinctive part of the Sag Harbor cultural landscape — and approximately 150 years old.

The Zoning Code states that historic trees or plantings at Landmark houses may not be removed without permission of the Board of Historic Preservation and Architectural Review. The older house a designated historical and cultural landmark. Did the new owner actually receive such permission? — This is difficult to believe. Or were the new owners simply oblivious to the value of these plants to the Village and to the existence of the code?

Trees and shrubs are as important a part of the character of a historic village as its architectural elements. These distinctive lost boxwoods were a case in point. More attention needs to be paid to inventorying the significant historic trees and plantings in this village, and to enforcing and clarifying the laws that are on the books. If this does not happen soon, Sag Harbor will become just another town without a history or a soul.

I think that the destruction of these historic boxwood require that the village, its Trustees, the ARB confront a problematic contradiction in how we are functioning as a community. There are ordinances in place. Historical trees are within our mandate. Either we take seriously that we are a ‘historic village’ and preserve our heritage or we will be inexorably abandoning that project. There are many people who can make the case for the importance of trees as part of heritage and part of a community most useful resources. There are economic, aesthetic, ecological and social arguments for tree protection.

But that is all beside the point if the political infrastructure in Sag Harbor remains indifferent to this issue. We have ordinances. We have clear guidelines for the protection of historic tree stock. There is no will to enforce these ordinances. And apparently no commitment within the ARB or the village to protect trees. Without that determination, Sag Harbor is truly and irrevocably altered. Is this truly what the community wants?

Adrienne Harris,

Sag Harbor

Public Speaking?

Dear Editor,

“Public Asked to Speak About Harbor Heights.” What an exaggeration. This was the headline on the Sag Harbor Express article announcing the meeting of the Village Planning Board, later postponed to February 7.

The meeting went like this. After “setting the record straight” regarding the front page story in the February 2 East Hampton Star quoting him as having said he was in favor of the Harbor Heights project, Richard Warren stated that as a paid consultant to the Planning Board it was not his place to approve or disapprove.

He then set the boundaries for the “community forum.” He stated that it was the purpose of this meeting to address the environmental aspects of the application, only, moving toward the SEQRA review, not to discuss whether anyone was for or against the project. He then passed out a double page, single-spaced list of the questions that were already under consideration. The invitation for the public to participate was pre-empted by the qualification that they speak only if they should have a new point to be added to the list.

I don’t know whether the “forum” was structured in this way by the consultant or whether it was the will of the board to keep things moving and leave the matter to those who are charged by the Village with this responsibility, but it was no forum. It is so easy for those who know how to play this game to fake out citizens who care so much about the village but have to start from “there are 52 cards in the deck …”

I had come wanting to talk about the elephant in the room — that we remember Sag Harbor is not just anyplace USA, but that it is SAG HARBOR. Unique. Historically significant. Physically beautiful. Irreplaceable. When my late husband, Robert and I first came to Sag Harbor in 1976, we were amazed that the village was still so intact from earlier times. Particularly, that the scale of the streetscape had not yet been violated. It was of a whole cloth. We stopped that day at Sag Harbor Antiques where Otto Fenn showed us the photographs he had taken of early Sag Harbor houses for the BiCentennial publication, a survey which had been guided by an architectural historian. Robert had grown up in Washington, DC at the time of the restoration of Capital Hill, and he had held a lifelong passion for preservation. That afternoon we passed a tiny house on Hampton Street, a few blocks from the site now in the hands of the Planning Board. It was described in Nancy Willey’s guide book as “looking as if it had been made of gingerbread, standing in an enchanted wood.” But in the realtor’s advertisement, it was described as a derelict ruin. It looked so early, and so fragile, that we thought someone must save it. We bought it that same day. It was not only the idea of saving one early house, it was that we thought there were other like-minded people in Sag Harbor and that we would join them to help save this interesting, beautiful icon of American history not just for ourselves, but for future generations.

It turned out that the tiny house we had saved (it was leaning forward, almost going into the ground) had been a ship’s store on the waterfront for John Hulbert’s sloop Mehitable, which was doing business with the West Indies before the Revolution. The architectural historian Daniel Hopping told us it had been built in the 1750 period. The Southampton Town records for 1774 grant permission for one Ichabod Coles to improve Hulbert’s store to be his dwelling with the provision that when he, himself no longer lived in it the structure would be moved off and the beach rights would revert to the town. The senior John Hulbert died in 1774 and Coles, in 1790. It was then, that the house was moved from the waterfront to Hampton Street.

The house we had bought had to be lifted by movers while a crawl space was dug, footings poured, a foundation made and the bottom of the house repaired. A plaster ceiling came down in the process and my curiosity was aroused when I saw an object between the lathe. I reached up and pushed it over to the wall and an iron ball dropped into my hand. A molded iron ball, Revolutionary period grapeshot such as that shot by cannon. Of course. The Hulbert/Coles house was still standing near the wharf at the time of the Meigs raid when the patriots were destroying goods on the wharf against their being used to break the Boston Blockade, and they were being fired upon by the British ships in the harbor.

Until then, for me, the Revolution lived only in dry pages. Up there in a little separate compartment: Santa Claus, God and the American Revolution. Maybe. But when that iron ball dropped into my hand, the Revolution was real.

I hope I am making the point that Sag Harbor is not just anyplace and that the entire, valuable experience of the streetscape should be preserved.

I also, had wanted to ask a question. If the town code is disregarded and variances are given to enable this project to go forward, what effect will the precedents have on the future of Sag Harbor?

Joy Lewis

Sag Harbor

What’s Next? Movie Night?

Deart Editor

As a Sag Harbor resident and owner of a home in the Village’s Historic District I feel compelled to offer my opinion on the LEGS brouhaha.

I feel it would be a grave mistake if the ZBA allows the LEGS structure to continue to exist at it’s present location on Madison Street. That section of Madison Street is in the town’s historic district and it is important that the town defends the regulations that have enabled our village to maintain what’s left of it’s historic character. If the ZBA allows this exception you can be assured that the historic look of our village will slowly but surely, year after year, be eroded. Allowing this will set a precedent that will make it near impossible to deny similar out of character applications.

When my wife and I purchased our home on Main Street, we were happy to comply with the Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board’s guidelines; happy to in some way help preserve the look of our historic village.

I disagree with the self serving statements printed in this paper and attributed to the owners of LEGS that they have “overwhelming support” for their side. How can you call a petition with a few hundred signatures in a town of several thousand “overwhelming support?” Where is the petition for those who are against it to sign? A one sided vote will always appear like it has “overwhelmingly” support.

This issue is truly not about “freedom of expression” as Vered and company are arguing. It is 100% about setting a dangerous presedent that will be near impossible for the Village to reverse.

The argument that Lehr and Vered are not in some way benefiting from the LEGS controversy is also a stretch: Well known Art Dealers positioning themselves as preservers of freedom of expression (and the ZBA and Village as close minded ogres) seems like a perfect horn to toot to garner massive amounts of free press and publicity. Please! Business 101 tells you that it pays to advertise. Especially when that advertising comes for free. And in this case to the detriment of the ZBA and those silent voices in the Village that are against the current placement of LEGS for reasons that have nothing to do with freedom of expression.

Do Vered and Lehr not have a back yard to display the LEGS? I am a filmmaker by profession; if Lehr and Vered are allowed to keep the LEGS where they are on the side of their building perhaps I would have a green light to project my films day and night on the side of my house. And since showing films could not be construed as a structure I wouldn’t even need a variance or permit!

Joe Lauro

Main Street

Sag Harbor

Flag & Constitution

Dear Editor,

At the rate of which my flag-worshiping, constitution-worshipping friend, Bill Jones, is progressing, he will soon have no place left for God.

In friendship & fear.

David Carney

Sag Harbor

Golden Opportunity

Dear Editor,

This is a golden opportunity to determine the best approach to ameliorate the airport noise issue. Let the FAA obligation expire on December 31, 2014. Take control of the airport as the FAA says you can. Implement curfews, hours of operations, numbers of flights. And other non discriminatory protocols. See how effective a control tower is though logic should tell you a control tower will only redistribute flight patterns thereby spreading the misery not abating it.

The town can always apply for FAA money but it is extremely rare to have such an opportunity to justly deal with an issue that effects such a large population that extends well beyond East Hampton. I’m asking the East Hampton Town Board to withdraw its application to the FAA for money for a deer fence especially when the airport is self sufficient and can build the fence on its own. Do the right thing by trying the stated alternative.  Nobody gets hurt. What can be better than that.

Thank you

Gene Polito

Noyac

At No Cost to Taxpayers

Dear Bryan,

In a March 8th letter to the editor, entitled “Are Dogs Worth the Dollars?” the writer questions, “whether the use of sniffer dogs would be an effective use of my taxpayer dollars.” Several points need to be made to inform the readers of the Sag Harbor Express about the issues of drug-sniffing dogs and the fact that they have no relationship whatsoever to the school budget.

First, there is no cost to the school district to use drug-sniffing dogs. That is because the Suffolk County Police offer this free service to school districts as a drug deterrent activity and the sniffing and searching of student lockers is permissible under New York State Education Law because lockers are the property of the school, not students. Next, readers should know that the Sag Harbor School District is committed to a healthy, drug-free, school environment and the use of drug-sniffing dogs is one additional strategy within a very comprehensive drug and alcohol prevention program in place at Pierson.

Students receive drug prevention knowledge through direct instruction in health classes as well as assemblies, guest speakers, visits to the county jail, and a pre-prom presentation to students and parents to name just some of the activities. In addition, the school’s commitment to help students prevent or overcome drug and alcohol abuse is furthered by one of the school counselors who is certified as a NYS substance abuse counselor. In our ongoing efforts to help students make healthy choices, the use of drug sniffing dogs is just a tool in the toolkit, so to speak, one of about 20 different strategies in our ongoing efforts to keep students from drug and alcohol abuse.

The focus of all of these activities is to keep students safe by preventing drugs from entering the school in the first place and, of course, to keep students from using illegal drugs. In addition, the policy about the Use of Drug-Sniffing Dogs adopted by the Board of Education also strongly encourages counseling for people found to be in possession of drugs. Please read the policy at http://shweb1.sagharborschools.org/policies/index.php/PERSONNEL#SUBJECT:.09USE_OF_DRUG-SNIFFING_DOGS_-_POLICY_6152.

Finally, in terms of deciding upon the whether to vote for or against the upcoming 2012-2013 school budget, I encourage readers to become well-informed about it. It is a budget that maintains quality programs for students while simultaneously being under the allowable tax levy cap.  Please read a summary of it at www.sagharborschools.org, invite me to give a thorough presentation of it to your community group, and attend a presentation of it at the Board of Education meeting on May 7th at 7:30 p.m. in the Pierson library.

Sincerely,

Dr. John Gratto

Superintendent of Sag Harbor Schools

Lament Boxwoods’ Demise

Dear Bryan,

I’m writing to you about the slaughtered ancient boxwoods at Sleight-Rysam, opposite Bulova on 114.  I won’t address the non-enforcement of village code regarding the historic landscape surrounding one of the 16 specially designated structures within the Historic District of Sag Harbor Village. Others will write to you about the mysterious interpretations of our code’s provisions.

My subject is boxwood, dwarf edging box (Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’). These plants were all grown from 2 sprigs that arrived on a wedding cake, according to a fairly good source, the late Mrs. Steuart of Sag Harbor, descended from the Sylvesters of Shelter Island. Probably Charles T. Dering’s wedding cake in 1816 when he came to live here.  There are always a lot of boxwood legends, just as there are about George Washington peripatetic sleep habits.  But this one has legs, as the box at Sylvester Manor were venerated by the family through the generations. (The old boxwoods behind the Charles Dering house on Route 114 opposite the elementary school also doubtless came from Sylvester Manor.)

What is more important: those vanished blobs of green were a magnet for love and pride in our community.  They were worth more consideration. They were symbols of Sag Harbor’s integrity and character.  They should have been a privately held public charge.

I am sure that it was easy to testify that those plants were diseased. Boxwood is heir to many ailments, but every single disease can be CONTROLLED.   I worked for years with Ted Conklin on keeping those plants healthy. With adequate plucking to keep up circulation, oil sprays, applications of chipped crab shell (produces chitin), no overhead watering, and no cultivation of their surface roots, boxwoods can continue to make a good show even in great age. Even to 196 years….

Such precious creatures are like having your grandma around:  if she has arthritis you don’t dig her up or cut her down!

To have this happen on top of the clear cutting of 50 or so trees at the Egan property on Main Street (another of the 16 designated structures within the Historic District), and the wholesale clearing of a property on Oakland, surely means a big review of oversight procedures should be in the works, as well as more public education about historic landscapes within the village.  And maybe cuttings can be taken from the few sad remnants, just to grow history forward.

Yours indignantly,

Mac Griswold

Director of Archival Research, Sylvester Manor Project

Shelter Island

Sag Harbor’s Hidden Talents

To the Editor,

On Sunday, March 4, the first Sag Harbor Elementary School’s Variety Show — Sag Harbor’s Hidden Talents was held at Bay Street Theater.  There was gymnastics, singing, a father-daughter duet that got the whole audience singing, dancing that had everyone moving, a rock band of two (that rocked!),  —  really something for everyone.  ALL the performers were awesome and truly blew everyone away with their courage and talent – it was a great family day!!

A special Thank-You to Bay Street Theater – this day would not have happened without the support from them.  They opened their doors, giving each performer an amazing opportunity to be on a stage where many great actors, actresses, singers and dancers have been before them.  Hopefully, Bay Street will continue to be with us and inspire our children to go for their dreams!

The judges, Police Chief Fabiano and 2nd Assistant Fire Chief Jim Frasier, gave words of encouragement and advice to the performers.  They not only encouraged those who were on stage, but made others start to think what they want to do for the next “Hidden Talents”.  How great it was they took the time to spend with our children, inspiring them and helping believing in themselves – Thank You!

And to the performers: Sophie Browning, Reilly Rose Schombs, Sofia Mancino, Anne Browning, Kiara Bailey-Williams and her dad Doug Williams, Ava Ignatowich, Brendan Burke, Sarah Levine and Blair Potter, Grace Brosnan, Abby Hallock, Rosie Foulds and Caroline Doctorow, Emily Brownstein and Francesca Vitale, Colby Wilson and Mark Balserus, Hudson Galardi-Troy and his mom Susan Galardi:  You guys were INCREDIBLE!!!

I look forward to the next “Hidden Talents” and hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy the same great afternoon that was given to us that Sunday.

Sincerely,

Kelly K. Bailey

Noyac

Pro-Life-Antiabortion

Dear Editor

It is somewhat of a paradox that the Roman Catholic hierarchy is vehemently opposed to President Obama’s health care initiative requiring that health insurers fund birth control measures (contraceptives and abortion). Paradoxical in that the hierarchy seems to preach what it does not practice: “Be fruitful and multiply.”

What is the effective difference, in the ultimate result, between priestly celibacy and birth control pills or abortion? Or is it a matter of “Do as I say, not as I do”? Just asking, lacking any training in the fine points of biblical exegesis and theology.

Yours sincerely,

David Carney

Sag Harbor

Likes Limited Government

Dear Bryan:

Obama laments that the constitution that has served our nation for 225 years, “doesn’t say what the federal government or the state governments must do on your behalf.” He elaborates with, “generally, the constitution is a charter of negative liberties, says what the states can’t do to you, says what the federal government can’t do to you.”

That, fair reader, is one sick interpretation of the document that guides our nation.  Our liberty is established and preserved by a government that is supposed to be severely limited in its power to do anything “on our behalf.”  Limited government is a positive liberty, not a negative liberty.

Obama does not like the document that he has sworn to uphold.  And his view of the constitution as stated above establishes the fact that he just does not like America.

Bill Jones

Hampton Bays

Are Dogs Worth the Dollars?

Dear Editor,

Over the past few months I have noticed a number of articles in the Sag Harbor Express regarding the proposed use of police sniffer dogs to combat drug use in Sag Harbor’s public schools. While intuitively this proposal just did not sound right to me, since I am neither a parent, nor an educator, nor involved in law enforcement, I figured what do I know, and frankly, why should I even care.

So I was pleased to read that there are also parents that have misgivings similar to mine. They have raised important philosophical and potentially constitutional concerns, and I need not repeat them here. But I would like to add that while I am neither a parent nor educator, I am a Sag Harbor property owner and tax payer, and I question whether the use of sniffer dogs would be an effective use of my tax dollars.

According to a previous article (Jan. 26th) in the Express, other school districts that have used dogs have failed to make any arrests. Well, for lack of a better word, duh. If students know that only lockers are permitted to be searched, would they not simply hide their drugs somewhere else?

I suppose some people might say that this would at least be a deterrent, and students would be less likely to bring their drugs to school. But in reality students will simply experiment somewhere else, and possibly in a far less safe environment. I do not deny that drug abuse is a problem in Sag Harbor’s schools (as it is in every school district). But as a tax payer I have to question whether I could ever support a school budget that approaches this problem with a policy that is ineffective, inappropriate, and potentially endangers students more than it helps.

Anthony Vermandois

Sag Harbor

Destination, Not Depot

Dear Bryan,

The idea of a Greenport-Sag Harbor ferry is worth trying. I would even encourage an infrequent Orient Point-Greenport-Sag Harbor ferry.

But to have Jitney buses for Bridgehampton and East Hampton idling on Long Wharf to keep their buses cool in summer is not an attractive idea.

Next question: How to limit (and enforce) idling cars? The Bridgehampton train station on summer Friday evenings is a case in point.

Sag Harbor should be a destination, not a depot.

Sincerely,

Pamela Rossbach

North Haven

Thanks for the Support

Dear Bryan,

Thank you for your attention concerning the future of Sag Harbor’s youth organizations in recent editions of the Express. For over 13 years, the young people of Sag Harbor have enjoyed summer evenings at Long Beach, the after school drop-in at the Community Room, bus trips during long school vacations, leadership development and enrichment because of the YARD Program.

Although a portion of the funding comes from surrounding municipalities, we still must privately fundraise to meet our annual budget.

We would like to thank the parents, administrators, and the community members who recently attended the Harbor Frost Gala Celebration and Silent Auction. It was a fabulous evening of fun, fine food, intesting auction items, music and dancing. This event, hosted by the Friends of YARD for the children, would not have been possible without the generous contribution of food, products, and services from our community and the surrounding areas.

The Friends would like to thank the businesses and restaurants for making very substantial contributions. We greatly appreciate your support. We would also like to extend our thanks to two very kind individuals: Jennifer Houser who transformed Page Restaurant for the evening, and David Pharoah who provided just the right music.

The Friends of YARD would particularly like to thank Gerry and Jared Wawryk for their hospitality and use of their wonderful facility. And finally, a big thanks to the Sag Harbor community members who so generously donated to our children and helped us move closer to reaching our fundraising goals.

On behalf of the Friends of YARD,

Executive Directors

Sandi Kruel

Richard Kudlak

Janet Grossman

Colleen Grigonis

Rivers’ Other Works of Art

Bryan,

My favorite work of Larry Rivers is the drawing he did and exchanged with Robert Rauschenberg.

Rauschenberg erased it and that erased drawing hangs in the Museum of Modern Art. See attached (below).

The LEGS should be erased!

Rudy Hoglund

Leesburg, Virginia