As I sit and write this column, I am waiting for Hurricane Sandy to show her cards. The last few big storms targeting the East End all seemed to change direction at the last minute, mostly sparing us, our homes and our shorelines from major damage. We should know just how bad things are by the time you are reading this; hopefully, Mother Nature will be kind and things won’t be as bad as the weather forecasters predicted.
Though it is too late for this storm, Southampton Town officials want to remind everyone to sign up for their emergency alert program. You can receive up-to-the-minute news about evacuations and shelter locations if you sign up. Call the town’s Citizen Response Center at 631-702-2440 for more information.
Speaking of storms, it appears that a fire storm of sorts has been ignited between Flanders residents and the town. A meeting was held last Thursday night at the Phillips Avenue Elementary School to discuss the town’s plans for us here in Flanders, Riverside and Northampton, and to listen to feedback and concerns from residents. Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst and staffers from her office were on-hand to lead the town hall-style meeting.
There was only one problem: someone forgot to tell the residents about the meeting. A flier went home in student backpacks and the parents of students attending Phillips Avenue received a phone call on the Wednesday and Thursday before the meeting. Though both gave us very short notice, it was more than the rest of the residents of our community received; most had no idea that a meeting had been scheduled.
About 20 people showed up and one brought up the oversight while addressing Ms. Throne-Holst: “This turnout is not representative of the residents in our area who would love to be here tonight and it is disgraceful to see that a meeting like this is being held with no notice.”
I personally spoke with the supervisor after the meeting to express similar frustrations, and Ms. Throne-Holst offered to come back again and, next time, will make sure that the entire community is properly notified. All in all, residents expressed concerns about rising crime rates and the lack of police presence in our area (we have only one sector car and, because of budget constraints, will not get a second one). They also asked about school and property taxes and the proposed repaving of Flanders Road. I should be speaking with the supervisor next week and, hopefully, we can iron out a date for when she can return to our community.
The Bay View Pines Civic and Taxpayers Association will meet on Friday, November 2, at 7 p.m., at the David W. Crohan Community Center off Flanders Road in Flanders. The meeting is open to the public and I am sure they will be discussing last week’s meeting with the supervisor.
Congratulations again to the Flanders Mariners on their fantastic fall ball season in the Flanders Fall Ball Classic. The team finished up its season on Saturday with a win in the championship game, held at Iron Point Park. Great job, boys and girls! You have made Flanders proud.
In the mood for some pancakes while supporting a great cause? The Riverhead Rotary Club is hosting a pancake breakfast on Sunday, November 4, from 8 a.m. to noon, at Riverhead’s Polish Hall. The fundraiser costs $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and $8 for kids, and proceeds will help support the Rotary’s scholarship programs, its back-to-school backpack program and other charities. Please call Paul Thompson at 631-566-5457 for more information.
on Oct 28, 2012