Dear Bryan,

I was delighted to read in the August 5^th Sag Harbor Express that the North Haven Village Board approved a local law that allows residents to have chickens. Congratulations to them for their wise and sensible decision.

In May when The Express printed a photo of the two little girls and their chickens, I was shocked to read that a complaint had been made to the board against this young family having chickens. The parents of these girls are trying to teach them about life in the country and that can only be a positive, not negative, thing.

People who move here do so, I assume, to have more freedom to do what they want. Sadly, the word ‘country’ is fast losing its meaning. We have lost so many things, including dairy farms and potato fields, in order for more and more building to take place.

When I was growing up in the heart of the village, many of our neighbors had chickens, as did others all over the village. Granted, it was a way of life then, but even if it were not I’m sure no one would have complained. People were more inclined to ‘live and let live,’ and not bother with trivial things. I could understand the complaint to the board if this family had a rooster. There were a couple in our neighborhood and I know how annoying it can be— in summer with the windows open— to be awakened at the crack of dawn by a crowing rooster. You put your pillow over your head and went back to sleep.

I’m sure the chickens this family has will in no way “impact the nature of properties,” as Mr. Selkirk stated. If anyone wants to buy or build in a certain area, I’m sure a few chickens won’t deter them. They can always stay in the city if country ways annoy them.

I totally agree with Anne Destefanis’ remark— Quote “I love the chickens. It brings a little country back to what people have tried to turn into the ‘burbs.’” To Piper and Kirstin Morgan I say, enjoy your chickens and your country living.

Sincerely,

Leatrice B. Christensen

Sag Harbor

Apartment Law Will Not Solve Affordable Housing Problem

Dear Bryan,

I have examined the proposed local law amending Chapter 55 (Zoning) to allow residential COs in accessory structures under certain conditions, but I fail to see any attempt to consider density of a given street or a block as a reason not to preclude the issuance of such COs. At the same time the amendment does not take into consideration the detrimental affect on neighboring property owners other than a hearing before the zoning board. Even if neighbors have legitimate objections to the issuance of such COs, is it possible that the zoning board may approve the right to convert such structures based on subjective reasons, such as hardship or a belief by recent purchasers that such structures may meet the new standards?

I understand that the trustees are doing their best to address the problem of lack of affordable housing in Sag Harbor and the ability of long time residents to continue to afford to stay in Sag Harbor, but they must know that especially in the historic district their goals will be difficult to achieve.

The following comments strictly pertain to the Sag Harbor Historic District and are addressed to the conversion of accessory structures to habitable cottages.

Take for example the block bound by Jefferson, Madison, Amity, and Suffolk streets. The total acreage of this block is 1.84 with lots varying in size from .04 to .18 acres. There are 16 houses, two of which are multiple dwellings. Total number of legal residential COs is 23. As visible from the street, there are eight accessory buildings, four of which seem large enough to qualify as a potential “cottage” under this new amendment.

Approximately 12 years ago a contractor bought a property on my street for about $360,000 from the estate of a gentleman born in Sag Harbor. The contractor totally refurbished the house, eliminated some of the bedrooms, and even added a second floor deck/terrace for use by the master bedroom. At the same time he installed a full bathroom, a full kitchen, and all utilities turning the garage/workshop/storage barn into a fully habitable structure. Before a CO was issued for the main residence, Al Daniels, the former building inspector, made him remove the kitchen and seal the gas line which he had extended to this outbuilding. The contractor sold the house for about $900,000 a number of years ago and it was resold recently for $1,260,000.

The current owner bought the property based on information that the garage could be converted into separate living quarters for her staff who I was told currently live on her property in a nearby village. She has retained that property and does not intend to sell it but will sell the Sag Harbor property she just purchased if she does not get the right to “cottage“ the property‘s garage/office. I don‘t know exactly what made her feel that she could convert the garage to another residence but I would not be surprised that the real estate agents were aware of this proposed amendment and used the probability of it becoming part of the zoning code as a selling point.

This garage is sited at the SW corner of the property line adjoining my back yard. It has three second-floor windows that overlook my back yard. If a CO were to be issued to this outbuilding combined with the second story deck on the house I, on my .09 acre, would completely lose my privacy.

Again I reiterate that I understand that there is a need to encourage affordable housing in the village but again as it affects the historic district, the only area I am familiar with, I feel that the amendment as written, besides imposing greater density on areas that are already densely developed, will actually further diminish affordable housing that currently exists.

Even though the amendment makes some qualifications as to which structures are qualified for conversions to legal residences, it seems to allow the property owners who have such structures that are currently not occupied as residences to apply for similar conversions. As I see it and as it has already happened in the historic district, any properties purchased whether by prospective residents or by developers are upgraded to luxury levels. As a result, many apartments and habitable accessory buildings have been removed from the rental market.

To curb further destruction of affordable housing, I feel that other conditions should be placed on who should be entitled to live in such apartments. I also feel that any property sold in the last 5 or 10 years (unless sold with multiple COs) or to be sold in the future not be allowed to create new apartments or convert any outbuildings to legal apartments. The reason I feel that this is necessary is that no matter what the selling price a property was sold for or will sell for in the future and no matter whether the property is on Howard St. or Main St. it will be converted to luxury housing and will only lead to the expansion of living space for the owners’ benefit and not for local firemen, carpenters, or local young persons trying to stay in the historic district of Sag Harbor.

To conclude I feel that unless additional limitations are placed on new conversions the only parties that will benefit from this amendment will be the real estate brokers and developers because this will allow them to have another selling point in how a property can be improved and not to provide affordable housing but to enable owners to use these conversions of garages, barns and pool cabanas to house their guests, staff, and even temporary summer renters.

Ted Jeremenko

Sag Harbor

?

Vulnerable Residents

Dear Editor: 

I have been providing crisis intervention services for nearly 15 years and I am alarmed by recent domestic violence trends we have been seeing at the Retreat. Factors contributing to the acute nature of this problem on the East End include: (1) The economic downturn of 2008-2010 has resulted in heightened domestic/household tensions and a spike of domestic violence incidents, measuring a 56% increase in demand for Retreat services in 12 months; (2 ) Funding cuts by federal, state, and local governments.(3) The anomalously high cost of living and services in the “Hamptons” — one of the highest-costs of living areas in the nation — means that even people who earn 150% of the poverty level or more are unable to afford attorneys, legal advocacy, housing, transportation, child care, etc; (4) Local sub-cultures continue to blame victims, sparking many women’s fears that if they come forward, their experiences will be treated as false accusations; and (5) Our region’s rural/suburban sprawl—combined with notoriously poor transportation options and isolated ethnic communities—make access to services an elevated geographic challenge, especially for many abused minority and low-income women and children living in scattered pockets across the East End.

Our local elected officials are now beginning the process of developing our town budgets for 2011. Now more than ever the victims of domestic violence (abused women and children of our community) and the Retreat need the support of our elected officials. The time has come for our elected officials to live up to those campaign promises and reinvest in our commitment to our community’s most vulnerable. The lengthy organizational history of the Retreat and our diverse portfolio of support, through boom and bust times, demonstrates the Retreat’s long-term dedication and durability. You may not be aware of this, but the Retreat is the only domestic violence services agency serving the East End and it maintains the region’s only domestic violence hotline and residential shelter. The Retreat provides services to thousands of East End residents each year. Please urge our elected officials not to forget about our most vulnerable residents. In some cases it could be a matter of life and death. 

Jeffrey Friedman 

Executive Director 

Retreat 

Dear Editor,

I want to commend Harvey Jacobs’ Our Town piece “Moonwalking,” which appeared in the August 5^th issue.

I was eight when we first walked on the moon, and while there are now times when I wish I was younger I’m glad I’m not; I would never want to lose the memory of that first moonwalk and all that surrounded it, and I feel bad for my friends and family who can’t recall it. It was a millennial event and I am fortunate to have been witness to it.

However, I do need to differ with Mr. Jacobs on one point, we did not lose the “Mysterious Moon” on that night…no, the moon shines brighter now, for it is a constant reminder that anything is impossible, especially if we all work with a common goal.

Mr. Jacobs is correct in that there are always reasons not to fund a manned space program…but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t fund it.

Our everyday lives would be very different without the devices and conveniences that were first born in manned flight; and, aside from the hardware, we were forced to change how we viewed the world around us. The environmental movement received a giant boost from the photo of the “Blue Marble,” it was one thing for mankind to scientifically understand that Earth was a finite sphere in a vast universe…it was another to actually see the blue Earth for what it is, small and fragile in the black void.

As a Long Islander there is a special pride in that July night. For many of us it’s a lot less than seven degrees of separation to the Apollo program; for me, my brother’s best friend’s father was one of the lead men on the Grumman design team of the electrical system of the lunar LEM. A German rocket genius may have been the face of the U.S.  rocket program, but Long Islanders designed and built the actual ships that landed on the moon. I still laugh at the memory of my college-aged brother trying to explain a space craft’s electrical system to his eight-year-old little sister. But in the end it all tied together on that night as I lay on the living room floor, my mom in her rocking chair, my sister and her best friend on the couch, an open pizza box, “Uncle Walter” on the TV, and man on the moon; we watched in awed silence then we cried…there was a man, a real man, on the moon, and somehow Mr. S down the block helped put him there!

I still cry when I think of that night; the same tears of joy and wonder…I can’t help it, it was magic and nothing would ever be impossible again; even now, in dark times, I can look up and find the moon and know there is hope in the possible.

The manned space program is more than science; it is a belief in the future. A million or so years ago the descendants of Lucy stood up and walked; they walked out of Africa, they walked across the Bering land bridge, when they could walk no further in Asia they fashioned ships and ventured out into the vastness of the Pacific and when they found land they walked again. In July of 1969 the descendants of Lucy boarded a ship they had fashioned, ventured into the vastness and took an extraordinary walk. We, the descendants of Lucy, have never stopped walking, and I fear what might become of our species should the day ever come when we do stop.

The machines can, will, and should send us the data of their space explorations, but only the human heart will be able to find and hear the music of the spheres, and mankind will all be the richer for it.

Yours,

Lorraine Frances

Sag Harbor

The Killing Fields

To the Editor:

The Vietnam War dragged on forever because the powers that be could not figure out how to save face. In the interim, 58,000 of our young men and women were killed, tens of thousands wounded, and hundreds of thousands returned with P.T.S.D. After the war we learned three million Vietnamese were killed, most of whom were innocent civilians. Endless wars become killing fields.

The Iraq war has gone on for seven years. The Afghanistan war nine years, soon to be the longest war in our history. Once again the powers that be are confused as to how to end these wars. The only definitive voice seems to be Hamid Karzai, the corrupt president of Afghanistan. He has chosen 2014 as our timetable for leaving. How does one plan for four more years of the killing fields?

In Peace,

Larry Darcey

Sag Harbor

Great Camp

Dear Editor:

We are writing to express our sincere gratitude to the owners and operators of Hampton Country Day Camp in East Hampton. They started a new Teen Hampton program this summer and generously donated several camp scholarships to children of local volunteers. Our child, Emily (age 11), was the lucky recipient of one of these scholarships. The new Teen Hampton features an elective-based program that offers teens the opportunity to customize their summer experience on a daily basis. It gives teens the chance to participate in a wide range of fun activities. Needless to say, Emily loves the camp and all of its counselors. Thank you so much, Hampton Country Day Camp, for giving back to the community and offering our children a great summer program!

Very truly yours,

Jon and Denise Schoen

Sag Harbor

Stung and Helped

Dear Bryan,

Last Thursday, while working in my garden, I was stung by a bee. This had happened before with no ill effects so I came inside to put ice on it. This time, within a matter of minutes, I was broken out in hives and my face started to swell. In a panic, I yelled for my daughter to call 911 and soon the First Reponse Team arrived at my house, followed by the EMT’s. I want to thank them all for their efficiency, kindness and competence. Being in such a frightening situation, it was so comforting to look around and see myself surrounded with familiar faces from my home town. I don’t know all of your names, but just wanted to let you know how much you were appreciated!

Sincerely,

Nancy Hamma-Clavin

Sag Harbor

Government Gaining Ground

Dear Bryan,

It is as plain as day to me that America needs to take heed of Jefferson’s warning, “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and for government to gain ground.”   America needs to take heed because this cow has long left the barn and our government is gaining ground and we are yielding our liberty. 

It is so plain as day to me that I cannot fathom how anyone could make a case that our federal government is not gaining ground while it tramples on our liberty.  Can you, fair reader, can you?

Bill Jones

Hampton Bays

An Argument Against Term Limits

Dear Editor

I see by your paper that the Southampton Republicans are after Fred Thiele’s seat. I can’t think of anyone out there who has done more for Long Island’s East End, its ecologically rich waters, its unique pine barrens, its rural character and open spaces, its humanity and spirit, than Fred Thiele Jr. I don’t care about his party affiliation, it’s what he has done out here over the many years serving the public interest that has inspired me to keep working. He’s the best argument against term limits I can think of.

Sincerely,

Larry Penny

Noyac

Helping Tree Fund Grow

Dear Bryan,

The Sag Harbor Tree Fund is very grateful for the support of the Sag Harbor community at the watering can silent auction held August 1^st. A big “Thank You” to the artists who donate their time and talent making the watering cans so unique. We want to also thank the generosity of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary at Cormaria. It was a great event and a good time was had by all.

Alexandra Eames and Neal Hartman

Co-Chairs of the Sag Harbor Tree Fund

Lifts the Spirit

Dear Bryan,

We would like to thank Pam Kern at our Harbor Heights Fuel Company and all the generous folks who donated to the Wounded Warrior-Soldier’s Ride Project recently.

The dedication and passion to this particular project is unmatched and growing each year. It lifts the spirit and carries a community participation we all can be proud of.

A heartfelt thanks to all.

John Leonard and Family

Sag Harbor 

On Open Letter to President Clinton

Dear Mr. President,

If ever there was a need for a man from Hope, it is now in Haiti.

I write to you as an American citizen in Haiti who has returned to Haiti for the third time after the earthquake to do relief work. It is incredible how little has changed since my last trip in April. In fact it seems to be worse. We have seen a few schools and housing settlements going up in sectarian schools outside of PaP in the Crois des Bouquetes area. People are now resigned to “living” in tented concentration camps of filth, rubble and crime with barely enough food to eat and clean water to drink. Now, six months after the devastating earthquake that killed 350,000 people and left over 1,500,000 homeless, nothing really has changed as far as I can see since my last trip in April. In fact it is worse. People are living in concentration camps surrounded by filth, rubble and crime with barely enough to eat and feed their children.

Within days after the earthquake on January 12, I flew from my home in Sag Harbor, NY to Jacmel, Haiti in order to deliver medical supplies, anesthesia and antibiotics to hospitals in this remote area of Haiti. I learned how to be effective by responding to the needs that seemed to change each and every day in a crisis. In this third visit, I see that Haiti is still in crisis. Most volunteers leave within a week. We do good work and go home. Today a group of us helped a homeless mother of five living under a tarp enough to cover a single bed on the side of the remains of the grand Cathedral (see photos.) We hydrated her baby and left her with food, supplies and money to support her kids for a few months and gave her a tent to have a new home. Helping one life yesterday was the best we could do. These people are trapped and the urgent relief effort has all but disappeared here on the ground. I think there is a lot of planning going on by NGOs and national leaders — but nothing is being done and the Haitians are resigning themselves pathetically to a life of exile and unspeakable poverty worse than ever.

What is needed, Mr. President, is for you (after Chelsea’s wedding) to temporarily relocate your home and office to Haiti. Your presence alone would inspire volunteers to stay longer just knowing that you were there working on the ground. I know I would.

What is needed most right now to save the lives of 1.5 million Haitians is your sustained presence. Your leadership could give hope to this small, poor nation. By staying in Haiti for a sustained period of time you would be a model for leadership to a nation historically without it, and influence the greater possibility of a unified relief effort that is still desperately, desperately missing. You are already an invaluable symbol of peace throughout the world, as well as the single most recognized leader committed to helping Haiti. The problem is that Haiti needs you to be here to solve their organizational mess and collect the billions of “committed” relief funds necessary to make it work. If you are here, the eyes of the world will be there too, and Haiti will not be forgotten once again.

You can show the world how America, with the help of the international community, can lead a different kind of war — a war against the abysmal tragedy that has already killed 250,000 Haitians and continues to entrap over a million refugees in ghettos of tented and cardboard shelters at risk of losing their lives from disease and starvation as the rainy season flushes them away.  You know better than anyone that democracy and self-reliance are the keys for the future of a nation but you also know that recycling waste and refuse, clean water, shelter, and functioning hospitals are essential to the people for survival.

The Haitians I’ve know are amazing loving people with a culture as refined and complicated as any other. The first nation founded by slaves, and the second nation only to us in our hemisphere to rebel and create a nation of its own, Haiti has a wonderful culture of music, literature, art and a language that reflects the history of its people. After years of exploitation and mismanagement, Haiti has the opportunity to change the tides of lethargy, waste and corruption. For this they need your vision, courage and commitment. Please Mr. President, won’t you be my neighbor?

Jonathan Nash Glynn,

Port au Prince, Haiti

Sag Harbor, NY

Chad St. Louis

Croix des Bouquetes at Parrise St. Marie de Madeline.

Another View of Exhibit

Dear Editor:

The exhibition at the Vered Gallery in East Hampton (Express. July 25 page B2) includes a reproduction of a bomb shelter such as residents of Sderot in Israel use when a home made rocket attack is expected from across the border in occupied and blockaded Gaza. The rocket attacks are the feeble reply by some desperate and forsaken Palestinians, whose families were displaced when Israel took over a large portion of Palestine in 1948. Some even came from what is now the Israeli town of Sderot. 

This week in East Jerusalem more people have been evicted from their homes. Also in the Negev, in southern Israel, an entire village of Arab Bedouins was destroyed by Israeli police. See The Guardian (UK): Ethnic Cleansing in the Israel Negev for details. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2010/jul/28/palestinian-territories-israel.

The residents of Sderot and the rest of Israel are held hostage by their government’s policy of expropriating more and more Palestinian land. It is this policy that created the PLO and Hamas and the splinter extremist groups that send rockets to Israel. 

Anthony Ernst 

Southampton

Who’s the Intimidator?

Dear Editor:

Reading your enthusiastic remarks about an art exhibition in East Hampton entitled: “The Bomb Shelter,” readers should be reminded that Sderot lies on land taken by intimidation and violence from the indigenous Palestinian population. Many of its original inhabitants were forced into refugee camps inside the Gaza Strip, suffering currently under a brutal occupation and siege by Israel. Ironically, it is the native Palestinians who are exhibiting “amazing beauty and strength” enduring “harrowing terror” and oppression. The Jewish people suffered terribly during the Holocaust, but that should never be a justification for abuses happening today. It is the Palestinians in Gaza, who are suffering great injustice and a grave humanitarian crisis today. Repression and occupation will never lead to security in Sderot or anywhere else in Israel.

Sincerely,

Marjorie Wright

Sag Harbor

Understanding Democracy

Dear Bryan:

Our constitution was born out of failure. That failure, of course, was the unworkable and unsustainable federal governmental system set up by the Continental Congress. And while the delegates gathered to fix the Articles of Confederation, they soon realized that they needed to start from scratch and so great minds with superior understandings of the history of governance crafted a masterpiece, our Constitution. Luckily, God was with them every step of the way.

Front and center in the crafting of the constitution was the issue of just how powerful to make the federal government. The delegates knew that power corrupts people and therefore, America needed a government with strict limits in order to remain a government “of the people.” They also believed that our elected representatives would study, understand, and properly interpret this blueprint of democracy. Yet, today, Washington continues to expand its reach into our lives and its power, indicating that the politicians are not paying attention to the words and/or intent of the Constitution.

I believe that it is time to find out what our Congressmen and Senators know and understand about the Constitution. Please go to “forabigail.com” to see the rules for the essay that I am challenging each representative to write. If they want us to vote for them, then they need to show us that they understand the rulebook of our democracy. 

If you agree, then I need your help in spreading the word. I know that this idea can capture the imagination of people all across America. I know that it can make a difference in putting us back on the right track. Join me, fair reader, join me.

Bill Jones

Hampton Bays

To The Editor,

Annette Hinkle’s review of the History of Long Beach Exhibit at the Sag Harbor Historical Society heightened the pleasure we already enjoyed while producing it.

We need to point out that it is the Town of Southampton that will hold a ceremony to commemorate the Foster family’s gift of the Beach to Southampton and the Sag Harbor Village in August. Because the deed was enacted in December 1949 and January 1950, weather probably prevented a ceremony.

Your front page photo of an 1894 picnic is courtesy of the John Jermain Memorial Library.

Finally, thank you for your editorial, “Garbage Unfurled,” reminding users of Long Beach that they bear responsibility for keeping it clean.

Jean Held and Dorothy Zaykowski,

Sag Harbor Historical Society

Lost and Found

Dear Editor,

Three fabulous ice cream cones at “Big Olaf” on a July evening…..$9.75.

A debate over whom should pay for them, resulting in a wad of cash being dropped on the floor….$103.00.

Returning half an hour later, to have employee Rob return the cash!…..priceless.

Thank you Rob for being the best of Sag Harbor. No “celebs” that night, just a hero. My guests were impressed and I was proud. Also, to whomever hired Rob, “Good pick!”

Sincerely,

Anita Guarino

Sag Harbor

Night Lights in Sag Harbor

To the Editor:

Advertising in bright lights becomes a dangerous precedent on Main Street. Please let’s say no to these signs, the newcomers are changing the look of our village and night life.  Say no to Uptown Pilates lighting, check it out, it’s bad and inappropriate for Main Street, Sag Harbor.

Paul Terrigno

Sag Harbor

Accessory Apartment Amnesty

Dear Bryan,

Well, the “illegals” won the accessory apartment proposal.  What is happening to Sag Harbor?

I so agree with your editorial last week:  I am totally in favor of legalizing apartments for “low-income” housing use.  I however am not in favor of rewarding the people who have broken and scoffed at the Sag Harbor laws for the previous five (and more) years.

It is like: you are driving down Main Street looking for a parking space and the car in front of you makes a U-TURN and gets a parking spot.  IF the “cops” see this, they “slap” the driver’s hand, BUT THE DRIVER STILL GETS THE PARKING SPOT.  Most of us don’t make U-TURNS on Main Street because we obey the law.

The law-abiding residents who would love the extra income and would build legal apartments on their property should be the FIRST APPLICATIONS APPROVED.

Also the honest Sag Harbor residents who now have beautiful finished detached buildings but they were not occupied for five years or at any time because IT WAS ILLEGAL, should be the FIRST TO BE APPROVED.

The scofflaws should be on the “proposed waiting list” and severely punished for breaking the law now.

The current proposal rewards the hypocritical and punishes the honorable.  Doesn’t anyone wonder why this is?  THE LAW SHOULD PREVAIL.

It is very simple – the “honest” and the “dishonest”.

Why not honor the law-abiders and let them get the proper permits to rent their soon-to-be legal apartments.

In the interest of justice – LET THE “GOOD GUYS” GO FIRST.

My questions are many: How will the renters be selected and qualified as “low-income” to fill the 50 “soon-to-be-legal” prior “illegal” apartments?  Will there be a special committee?  Will the 50 apartments be public knowledge?  How long will the leases be?  Who will determine the “affordable” rents?  If the owners were “illegal” before, what will stop them now?  How do they prove the 5 year occupancy?  Do the property owners still get to live in the accessory apartments in order to rent their main houses?

Do the “illegal” tenants get rewarded like the “illegal” landlords?  Then they will stay where they are, and Sag Harbor will be status quo and there will still be NO available “affordable” housing.

But then the “illegal” tenants and “illegal” landlords will be “within the Law” rather than “above the Law.”

Sincerely,

Pat Field

Sag Harbor

Call for a Memorial

Following is a letter which was written to Sag Harbor Mayor Brian Gilbride:

Dear Brian:

Several years ago, I went to two of the Board meetings along with Angie Cilli to ask the Board to name the preserve on Glover Street after Lieutenant Nick Cilli, who was killed in World War II. I believe the Cilli family owned the land down Glover Street.

I had an idea that a walkway could be created in this preserve, and along the walkway could be memorialized the names of all the men from Sag Harbor who have given their lives in all the wars in which this country has been involved.

I never received an answer. Do you not think it is time that the citizens of Sag Harbor do something to honor all our lost heroes? Perhaps a committee of veterans, who have had first-hand experience of the loss of comrades, should be appointed to work on this.

Sincerely,

Dolores M. Zebrowski

Sag Harbor

Dear Editor:

Saturday, July 10 … 8:30 in the morning arrived at Trout Pond for daily swim across the pond. A sacred place, not a soul in sight but my own. A time for meditation.

In dead silence though fully alive, Mother Nature began to reveal her story. Crystal clear water, perfectly still, mirroring a clouded sky above. Water and sky, one could not tell the difference.

While swimming in the pond moments later, the sky turned bright blue, embracing puffy pure white clouds glistening in the sun. As I reached the other side of the pond, six tiny ducklings appeared cruising through a maze of lily pads. Their beautiful fragile flowers just opened to greet the morning sunrise. What next?

Swimming back to the deck where I entered the water, suddenly the sky became dark and a gentle rain began bouncing up from the water like a rhythmic dance. Hard to explain but mesmerizing and mystical.

Out of nowhere a teeming rain like an approaching storm seemed headed my way. A steam-like mist rose from the water with a blinding rain. Where am I? No shoreline in view! A touch of fear crossed my mind. There was a waterfall at the end of the pond. A few minutes later before I got out of the water it turned out to be a beautiful sunny day.

In one short swim I experienced the beauty of the Earth.

We are blessed.

Larry Darcey

Sag Harbor

Sail Supporters

Dear Bryan,

The Breakwater Yacht Club would like to acknowledge and thank the local businesses that contributed to the success of our recent “Adventure Sail” Regatta for at-risk girls:

Dave at Sag Harbor Beverage, Kathleen at Tate’s Bake Shop, and Matt at Schiavoni’s all made generous donations toward the lunch that we provided for the girls and their sponsors.

Donations to the gift bags each participant received were provided by Lisa at Sag Harbor Variety Store, Claudia at Bridgehampton National Bank, Jane at Corcoran Realty, Tom at Apple Bank, Sue at Suffolk County National Bank, The Ideal Stationery store, and the Wharf Shop.

Their donations were appreciated by all, and very much enjoyed by the girls who participated.

Sincerely,

Cam Gleason,

BYC Adventure Sail Committee

Art or Sign?

To The Editor

I think it was rather unfair of you to attack Tom Horn Sr. for his objections to the “legs” (“Let Larry’s Legs Stay,” The Sag Harbor Express July 1, 2010).

If the Architectural Review Board can control what color paint, window size, etc. can be used to maintain houses within the Village Historic District, it should also be able to control what seems to be an advertising prop for a property owner whose business is art.

There are giant tooth sculptures by a renowned artist named J. Seward Johnson, some as high as 70 feet. If a dentist living in the Historic District or one who has an office on Main Street installed a 20-foot tooth on his property, would that also be OK?

Instead of knocking Tom Horn Sr. you should be thankful that we still have a person like him on that board.

Thank you.

Ted Jeremenko

Sag Harbor

Lighten Up

Editor,

I drive or walk by the Vered, Lehr home every day. It is a fabulous structure and some needed sprucing up would only add to its beauty.

As far as the legs go, the sculpture is a wonderful “fun” work of art.

I loved them when it first went up and continue to enjoy them daily.

All I can say to those in opposition is lighten up and get with the times.

Alan Rosenfeld

Sag Harbor

Our Middle East Confrontation, What an Enigma

Dear Editor:

A massive speculative attempt to make them over in our own image— imagine that! Mind Rudyard Kipling’s words over 100 years ago, “East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet.”

Even so, can we not forge a dialog to have those in the Middle East become respected members of the community of nations in spite of huge cultural differences? That’s our job— not to seek and destroy attack and occupy; that only engenders resentment. We must find a common goal upon which we and they can build a future. Pierce the veil of fear, distrust, and hatred for the common good.

Let them have their own societies as long as they do not impinge upon us or we upon them. Let’s understand there is not “one way” to a perfect world yet make it clear we will not tolerate their intrusions which would bring a commensurate response and if need be, build again “fortress America.”

All this said with a keen desire to create an atmosphere of Peace and Prosperity where all can grow and flourish regardless of any diversities.

Sincerely,

Peter E. Heller

Sag Harbor

Boom Boom Boom

To the Editor,

Good people, we are being assaulted by these so-called Boom cars. Are your ear drums throbbing as they go by or pull up next to you in the parking lot?

One Sunday after visiting friends on Shelter Island, I took South Ferry back to my home in Sag Harbor… you guessed it. A car pulled up with that pounding noise. I said to the purser, do I have to hear that ******* noise? And I added, they are harming children.

He said nothing and walked back into the cabin. If the noise was just a degree louder my friends, I would have been spending time that night in the Shelter Island jail house.

One of the chief perpetrators of this madness (sonic assault) is a politician by the name of Darrell Issa. This turkey got away with lowering a town nose ordinance in his state.

The Sony Company, is behind this sonic assault also. In their advertising of these boom speakers they say “put fear in them,” and many other innuendos of hate towards America’s people and families.

Terrorism? You bet. This is toxic noise in your face, the Taliban are well pleased. Our American heroes, men and women in our armed forces, are getting killed and wounded, fighting for our rights, peace and freedom… this toxic noise is salt on the wounds of those who are sick and hurting. Young children and infants are being harmed physically and emotionally. How often are they awakened from a sound sleep … day or night by Boom Boom Boom.

Many townships have started doing something about this noise pollution: cars are being impounded, drivers arrested and taken to jail. Boom speakers are also being removed from vehicles by police offices and destroyed… a good hickory stick can do wonders.

After the Japanese attacked Peal Harbor, they said we have awakened a sleeping tiger. Yes, now is the time to bring these greedy big business people to justice. Toxic oil, toxic noise, they both harm people and all of God’s creatures.

To understand more about this attack on human decency and respect, Google, “Lower the Boom” and also “Ban Boom Cars.”

Yes, it’s time to stop this madness… Sony… Darrell Issa, your Boom… Boom … Boom, is coming.

Dennis Pelliccia

Sag Harbor

To the Editor:

My last letter about men in power going stark raving mad may have been misunderstood, but the evidence is getting clearer every day. Now they found still another enemy as they fight among themselves and call it unity. We also have become victims of this war without end.

Finally, it should be noted the United States has not won a war since WWII. War is not a solution but a delusion.

In peace,

Larry Darcey

Sag Harbor

Erroneous Assumption

Dear Bryan,

In the interest of accuracy I would like to correct an erroneous assumption that appeared in Kathryn G. Menu’s article about the East Hampton financial scandal in last week’s Express.

Ms.Menu wrote, “The grand jury found that tax cuts without spending cuts under the Schneiderman administration in the 2003-2004 budgets left the town in need of a 25 percent tax increase.” The Grand Jury reached no such conclusion.

This is what the report said: “The Grand Jury heard testimony that an analysis was performed in 2004 calculating the 2005 budget and what adjustment to the tax rate was needed to meet that budget. It was determined that a tax increase of over 25 percent was needed.” Those are two drastically different things.

Here are the facts, as originally reported in the October 6, 2004 edition of The Independent (another article on the matter was published yesterday). McGintee took office in January of 2004 and immediately began spending wildly, blowing through not only the $4.3 million in general fund surplus but millions more in mortgage tax revenue and overages in other dedicated accounts.

The “testimony” the Grand Jury refers to doubtless came from McGintee himself. But the “analysis” referred to never existed — if it did, Ted Hults would have had to do it, and there was overwhelming testimony he was incompetent.

The document referred to was McGintee’s preliminary proposed budget for 2005 released the first week in October in 2004, which was released and withdrawn within hours. It was a template from the previous year — the bookkeeper need only plug in the proposed numbers for the next year and push a button on the computer. But Ted plugged in 2003 numbers rather than 2004 numbers and made a number of other transcription errors (actually, hundreds) — those errors resulted in the calculation of a 25 percent tax increase. The Independent obtained that document from the town clerk. Councilman Pete Hammerle was the only other person to get one before it was withdrawn. The next business day McGintee released another “proposed” budget calling for a 10 percent tax hike. It was marked “corrected version.” Only after his insane spending spree was discovered in 2008 did McGintee refer to the original proposed budget, telling the board in essence, “I tried to raise taxes in 2004 but you wouldn’t let me.” It was a lie. There was no analysis, just a couple of bungling fools in way over their heads.

In six years McGintee turned a surplus of over $11 million into a deficit of over $30 million. He did this by resolutely overspending by approximately $7 million per year. In other words, Schneiderman didn’t underestimate 2004 spending; Bill spent more than was budgeted. In fact, Schneiderman’s budget officer, Len Bernard prepared the budget, and he ran against McGintee, thinking he would win, so he packed plenty of surplus into the budget for uncertain expenditures like the PBA pay raise, rising health costs, and rising retirement benefits. These things always go up, as Bernard, a veteran budget officer, well knew.

The most dramatic quote of this whole affair was missing from The Express. District Attorney Tom Spota said: “This report is the former town supervisor’s legacy — a record of fiscal malfeasance rivaling any other town government in the history of New York state.”

Rick Murphy

East Hampton

The author is editor of The Independent – ed.

To the Editor:

Again, Mr. Darcey has emerged in The Sag Harbor Express with his sadistic attitude.

As I said before Mr. Darcey, you live in a free country, with freedom of speech which you sure do take advantage of.

This country is protected by courageous men and women who protect your rights. Patriotism, yes, they evidently believe in it.

Insanity, no.

Perpetual war, perhaps yes; but if that’s what it takes to preserve our freedom, yes!

As I said before Mr. Darcey, no one wants war, especially those with loved ones in the military; but this is not the “Garden of Eden.”

Was your sadistic attitude, Mr. Darcey, acquired at birth, or did it come with “old age?”

In peace,

Florence M. O’Connell

Sag Harbor

Thanks for the Vote

Dear Bryan

I want to thank all those who came out and voted for me on June15th and The Express for your endorsement of my election to the Board of Trustees. The true test of the voter’s confidence in both Bruce Stafford and me will be measured in the initiatives, fiscal responsibility and stewardship of the village. I believe the voters have chosen a board that is responsive and open minded to all the constituent factions within our community. I am looking forward to continuing the work we have begun during my first year in office and facing the challenges of the next two years.

Sincerely,

Robby Stein

Sag Harbor

Helping Monty

Dear Bryan,

I’m writing you on behalf of my next door neighbor, Gudula and her cat, Monty. Gudula is an 86-year-old senior living alone with her cat.

Three weeks ago she came to my door with an emergency. Half of Monty’s face was so swollen that she couldn’t open her mouth. I rushed them both to the Veterinary Clinic of East Hampton. Gudula had no means of paying for Monty’s treatment and Dr. Katz, Dr. Turetsky’s colleague, agreed to treat Monty with delayed compensation.

Monty was so dehydrated that her surgery had to be postponed until her blood levels were stabilized. It was discovered that Monty is diabetic and needed to be treated for that condition as well. She was hospitalized an entire week before her operation. The infection had gone so deep that Dr. Katz had to cut all the way into her jawbone.

We went to see her twice before her surgery and she was eventually sent home with insulin and syringes, antibiotics and cans of special food for diabetes and kidney issues. Dr. Katz gave her two follow-up visits and a day of monitoring for proper insulin supplementation. Dr. Katz, who is Dr. Turetsky’s colleague at the Veterinary Clinic of East Hampton did all this without receiving a cent of compensation until people started sending in donations two weeks later. Even with a huge discount Monty’s bill came to over $2,100. The unpaid balance now remains at $818 and Gudula still has no way of paying it.

If anyone would like to help an 86-year-old senior pay the remainder of her cat’s veterinary bill, please send your donation directly to Dr. Katz at the East Hampton Veterinary Clinic at 3 Goodfriend Dr., East Hampton, NY 11937.

Your gift to this senior would be greatly appreciated. Monty is Gudula’s only close family and they rely on each other for love and mutual support.

Gratefully,

Christine Stanley

East Hampton  

No Casino Here

Dear Editor,

I would like to add my voice to what I am sure will be hundreds of others that wish to congratulate the Shinnecocks on receiving federal recognition, but want to caution our local officials to not — I repeat, not — allow them to build a casino out here on the East End of Long Island. I understand the Shinnecocks are entitled to take advantage of laws that allow them to build casinos on their property, but the idea of having a big casino, like the ones in Connecticut, would be a terrible thing for the narrow strips of the two forks. There isn’t the infrastructure here, and to build the roadways necessary for all that traffic would further destroy the rural nature of our towns.

That said, I think there are plenty of properties further up the island that would suit them, and probably welcome the boost to their economy.

I wish them good luck.

Mary Gell

Sag Harbor

Helping the Cause

Dear Editor:

The family and friends of Stephanie Crispinelli want to thank all of the sponsors, friends, neighbors, artists and photographers who donated to the cause — WLNG radio, the East Hampton Star, Dan’s Papers, The Sag Harbor Express and The Independent newspaper, with special thanks to Dan Bailey and Living Rhythm with Jay Schneiderman on the drums. We want to especially thank Helen Ficalora (noted jewelry designer) for attending the very successful benefit for The Stephanie Crispinelli Humanitarian Fund.

Tax deductible donations to the Stephanie Crispinelli Humanitarian Fund are still very much appreciated (email sarina.peddy@gmail.com).

Thank you,

Sharman and Sarina Peddy,

PR representatives for stephaniesmission.org

Connie and Hanna Thomas.

To the Editor:

Teens will have a tough time finding a job this summer (“Teens Look for Summer Employment in Tough Job Market,” Sag Harbor Online, June 4), and one often overlooked reason are wage mandates that create a barrier between teens who want to work, and employers who want to hire.

Between July 2007 and July 2009, Congress increased the federal minimum wage 40 percent. Recent research from Ball State University attributes the loss of 310,000 teenage part-time jobs to this wage hike. Minimum wages raise the cost of hiring and training entry-level employees like teens. Employers respond by cutting staff hours or positions and are forced to turn to more cost-effective alternatives like automation and self-service.

These unemployed teens are deprived of the valuable invisible curriculum that comes from reporting to a supervisor, showing up on time, and working with others as part of a team. Research from Northeastern University found that teens without job opportunities – especially economically disadvantaged teens – are also more likely to drop out of high school or get tangled up in the criminal justice system.

Michael Saltsman

Research Fellow

Employment Policies Institute

Washington, DC

American Hero

Dear Bryan:

Shelter Island, Sag Harbor and America suffered the loss of an American Hero last week.  Hearing of the death of Lt. Joseph Theinert hurt us all. I was very proud of Sag Harbor’s respect and honor given to the homecoming procession of Lt. Theinert and his family, through the Harbor, over the LCpl Jordan Haerter Veterans Memorial Bridge and home to his Shelter Island.  We live in a very special place. I know firsthand and with all my heart, how Sag Harbor pulls together in sorrow. Through clearer eyes, I witnessed such special care, good deeds and heartfelt prayers for our neighbors on Shelter Island. Thank you  all who gave of your time and efforts to honor Lt. Joseph Theinert. God Bless the Theinert and Kestler families. God Bless America.

JoAnn Lyles

Forever proud Mom of LCpl Jordan C. Haerter, USMC

Sag Harbor

Poppies Help

Dear Editor,

I would like to thank everyone for their generous donations to our Poppy Campaign during the month of May. These poppies are hand made by our hospitalized veterans.

The money we collect goes directly to these men to use toward their various projects and needs throughout the year.

God Bless America,

Gladys Laspesa, Poppy Chairman

Sag Harbor

Gone Mad

Dear Editor,

Afghanistan is growing more bloody with a sharp increase in military funerals across the nation. Another surge in progress with even the generals not sure of the outcome. Reverence for life never appears on the worn out time-tables of promise.

Men in power have gone stark raving mad and speak of perpetual war as if it was our destiny. How in God’s name does patriotism emerge from insanity?

In Peace,

Larry Darcey

Sag Harbor

Honoring the Fallen

Dear Editor,

There was a time when the war dead were remembered and honored, but this really doesn’t happen as much as it used to anymore.

All you see are people selling their possessions they no longer want or need. They don’t seem to care as much about those who bleed. If they collected blood spilled during the war, it would fill an entire reservoir.

So, enough with your yard and tag sales.

If you really want to honor the fallen and dead, go to a veteran’s cemetery instead. Read their names and see who they were. Try to make sense of why they died. Think of all the politicians who’ve lied.

War is not the answer, my friend. It only kills and maims. So, if you want to honor the fallen and dead, pick up a Bible or Koran instead.

If you choose life over death, it will be many years before you breathe your last breath.

Richard Sawyer

Sag Harbor

Senators, Congressmen and the Constitution

Dear Bryan,

The endeavor that I alluded to last week is quite simple. I want citizens all across America to ask their congressmen and senators to write an essay about their interpretation of the Constitution. The rules regarding the essay can be found on my website, “forabigail.com.”

Naturally, the politicians will mock this idea unless enough of us join together and remind them of who works for whom. And they should write this essay for two more reasons: (1) because they swear an oath to this blueprint of democracy and (2) if young men and women are willing to die for our country, then our senators and congressmen can take a few hours to tell us what the Constitution means to each of them.

Personally, I think that this is a brilliant idea. America is in need of a brilliant idea. Put aside your doubts as I have. Go to, “forabigail.com” and spread the word. You and I, fair reader, can make a difference. We can do something good for the country that we love.

Bill Jones

Hampton Bays

Honoring a Grad

Dear Bryan,

It was such a pleasure to see the team photo of the players in the Robert Vishno Memorial Scholarship ball game/fundraiser in last week’s Express.

Thanks to Sean Crowley’s continued efforts and the support of the community members who play every year, we are able to continue to provide a scholarship to a graduating Senior from Pierson who is pursuing a career in music or the performing arts.

While this event originally began 23 years ago as an elementary PTA effort, over the years the focus has shifted to become an alumni baseball game in the park on Memorial Day weekend.

This memorial honors the memory of a Pierson graduate and has continued over time to receive support from the PTA, Pierson HS PTSA, Teacher’s Association of Sag Harbor (TASH), the Vishno family and members of the community.

We are grateful to all of them and to The Express for these many years of support.

Sincerely,

Anne Mackesey

Sag Harbor

Do Something

To the Editor:

Will someone please do something about helicopter noise over Noyac, North Sea and Roses Grove. Someone in your paper wrote a couple of weeks ago about how Senator Schumer was going to finally put a stop to all the “buzzing” and “cupboard rattling” that goes on here all summer long. Actually now it’s much longer, since these damn helicopter jockeys seem to be bringing in their high-priced cargo from early May right through October.

And they keep flying lower. Are they doing this on purpose?

Did anybody look at the map that was in Newsday a few weeks ago? This plan wants to send them way out over the water along the north shore, which is a good thing for them; but when they need to come down to one of the airports on the south shore, they’ve got to fly right over our houses here. What good is that? Only good for the people in Nassau County, but I guess that’s where most of Schumer’s votes are coming from.

Come on, can’t somebody come up with a better plan? One that will help us poor people in Noyac and North Sea.

Sincerely,

Joseph McNerney

Noyac

Dear Bryan,

I write in response to Geserina Failla D’Angelo’s letter in the June 3rd issue of The Express titled “Sold Out”.

In her letter, Ms. D’Angelo doled out shame to nearly everyone in Sag Harbor.  Instead of acknowledging that 1,050 voters supported the budget, instead of accepting that a huge turnout on a miserable day was a healthy sign of democracy in action, she writes that “a mere 30 votes have raised our school taxes” and compares us unfavorably to the brave voting citizens of Iraq. A record turnout of voters, it seems, was shameful because the wrong side prevailed!

All the “Reality Bandwagon” talking points were covered in her letter and she echoed the same “spin” that can be found by “reality” bloggers on The Express website. They say we were all “duped” or “fooled” or “bullied” into voting Yes. From the shadows they protest that those of us who informed the public openly of the likely consequences of a failed budget were “fear mongering” and “misleading” the hapless amongst us. To the contrary, explaining the likely negative consequences of a failed budget was an obvious responsibility. 

The inconvenient “reality” that the Bandwagoners would never admit to was that they believe that the only way to get their taxes lowered is to defeat TASH, even if it means dismantling our school district. Their argument was that the board should not have our support to responsibly and constructively find a way forward. A defeated budget would have aggressively forced the issue.

For now the voters have elected to support the board of education and allowed them to protect the many gains and achievements in our district. They have left the board with the difficult job of settling the teachers contract and given them more time to find a fair and sustainable agreement. 

TASH has narrowly avoided losing many of their membership to cuts and contraction. All of us, for now, have been spared the heartbreaking process of letting many talented educators go and the cutting away of programs and advances that have brought so many successes to our schools. If TASH continues to insist that accepting the board’s current offer is “breaking” and they refuse to “bend”, next year’s election day could be the “real” shame.

Sincerely,

John Battle

Sag Harbor

Slap in the Face

Dear Bryan,

After talking about a pay freeze the school budget passed with and increase of 12.76%. After saying the budget was for the children the union quickly started negotiating for a pay raise. All teachers will get an automatic step raise of 2.75%. After an unconscionable tax increase it would be a slap in the face to taxpayers for the school board to grant an additional pay raise to teachers.

George Warren

Sag Harbor

Honoring a Grad

Dear Bryan,

It was such a pleasure to see the team photo of the players in the Robert Vishno Memorial Scholarship ball game/fundraiser in last week’s Express.

Thanks to Sean Crowley’s continued efforts and the support of the community members who play every year, we are able to continue to provide a scholarship to a graduating Senior from Pierson who is pursuing a career in music or the performing arts.

While this event originally began 23 years ago as an elementary PTA effort, over the years the focus has shifted to become an alumni baseball game in the park on Memorial Day weekend.

This memorial honors the memory of a Pierson graduate and has continued over time to receive support from the PTA, Pierson HS PTSA, Teacher’s Association of Sag Harbor (TASH), the Vishno family and members of the community.

We are grateful to all of them and to The Express for these many years of support.

Sincerely,

Anne Mackesey

Sag Harbor

Supports Grandson

Dear Editor and Fellow Sag Harborites,

As Ryan Horn’s grandfather I was delighted with his decision to run for village trustee. In doing so he carries on the family tradition of four generations of service to the Sag Harbor Village by the Horns. His college studies focused on Government, followed by working for the County Legislature, Town Supervisor and Town Board, and now currently working as the Citizens Advocate.

In closing cast your vote for knowledge and experience.

Thomas W. Horn, Sr.

Sag Harbor

Cares Deeply

Dear Bryan, 

Over the past eight years I have to come to know Bruce Stafford and what he means to the Sag Harbor Community. For those of us who know Bruce we can bear witness to the many years of volunteer service he has given; whether at his church or the fire department. 

Simply put Bruce is a servant leader, one who you can count on to show up and do the job that is required. His sole motivation for this service, as far as I can see, is because he cares deeply for his village. I believe that alone qualifies him as someone you can place your trust in as a candidate for village trustee.

Tom MacLeod, Pastor

Sag Harbor United Methodist Church

A Good Guy

Dear Editor and Neighbors,

Having been a business owner, seasonal, then full-time resident for over 30 years, everyone I’ve met here seems to know Ryan Horn, the candidate for Sag Harbor Village Board, and they are happy to know him. Before even running for office, each of them had seen him be generous with his time and knowledge if you were in need.

The few who had not felt his handshake, like me, probably knew his mom, Debbie from the pharmacy, who was there for at least 20 years. Or, they met his grandfather Tom Horn, the Ex-Fire Chief whose selling of Fire Museum raffle tickets in front of the firehouse is as much a part of summer evenings as tee shirts and shorts.

Last year, when my family had an issue requiring help from the Town of Southampton, several people’s recommendations all ended with a quote something like this: “You should call Ryan Horn, he’ll know what to do—I know him and he’s a good guy.”

All I can say is, I did call, he did know what to do, he is a good guy, and now I tell people I know him too. On Tuesday, June 15th, I will be one of many who vote for him.

Regards,

Sandy Beckerman

Sag Harbor

Supports Stein and Stafford

Dear Bryan:

I was a bit disappointed when I read your article, “It’s a Race In The Village.” I like to think that the majority of our friends and neighbors who chose to serve on our village boards due so out of a sense of civic responsibility and pride. Mr. Horn’s actions seem to want to lead us into believing that government has become warped down to the village level. Is Mr. Horn challenging the integrity of the other two candidates or is he simply concerned that every “i” was dotted and “t was crossed? Perhaps he covets the position to the extent of bringing into question the other candidates’ characters rather than face them in an open village election.

Since Mayor Gilbride appointed Robby Stein to the vacated trustee’s seat, Mr. Stein has proved to be a great asset to our village as an extremely astute and hard working member of the board. As he was the mayor’s own choice, must we not also assume he works well with the rest of the board. The board is also endorsing Bruce Stafford, another proven civically minded person, by having him run under their banner.

I believe that Stein and Stafford are the best choices of the current candidates for village trustees.

Robert Fisher

Sag Harbor

Hands-On Experience

Dear Bryan,

Most Express readers probably already know village trustee candidate Ryan Horn. They know him as the son of Debbie from the pharmacy, grandson of Tom Horn, Sr. from the fire department, or as a classmate from Pierson or before.

I’ve gotten to know Ryan too, especially during the time he served as my legislative aide. Individuals with these jobs are critical to the important work we do as elected officials. Regardless of the task at-hand, the legislative aide must be one step ahead or one step behind the legislator, supervisor, or councilperson. As I worked to lower the cost of government, protect the environment, and preserve our quality of life, Ryan was always there.

Most of the time, Ryan worked at my district office on Washington Street. The rest was spent throughout the South Fork meeting with constituents, civic groups, or working with elected leaders. He also frequently traveled to Hauppauge with me for meetings of the Suffolk County Legislature. When he was recruited to work as an aide and citizen advocate for Southampton Town, my loss was their gain.

From inside and out of local government, Ryan has researched and helped formulate policy in virtually every subject area: budget and finance, land use, transportation, affordable housing, environmental protection, licensing, and public safety. His constituent work has assisted residents from Montauk to East Moriches.

Whether it’s as an aide, advocate, or volunteer, Ryan is an asset to every project he undertakes and to every team he joins. With his hands-on experience, education, and deep local roots, he could be sworn in tomorrow as an effective, articulate representative for all of Sag Harbor.

Sincerely,

Jay H. Schneiderman

Suffolk County Legislator (I-Montauk)

Senators, Congressmen and the Constitution

Dear Bryan,

The endeavor that I alluded to last week is quite simple. I want citizens all across America to ask their congressmen and senators to write an essay about their interpretation of the Constitution. The rules regarding the essay can be found on my website, “forabigail.com.”

Naturally, the politicians will mock this idea unless enough of us join together and remind them of who works for whom. And they should write this essay for two more reasons: (1) because they swear an oath to this blueprint of democracy and (2) if young men and women are willing to die for our country, then our senators and congressmen can take a few hours to tell us what the Constitution means to each of them.

Personally, I think that this is a brilliant idea. America is in need of a brilliant idea. Put aside your doubts as I have. Go to, “forabigail.com” and spread the word. You and I, fair reader, can make a difference. We can do something good for the country that we love.

Bill Jones

Hampton Bays