The article about the fines levied on the owner of Petit Blue for having some stuffed animals and a welcome sign outside of her store sounded like something pulled straight from The Onion [“East Hampton Village Shopkeeper Found Guilty Of One Violation In Stuffed Animal Display,” 27east.com, March 2].
It’s time for the folks in charge of these regulations for East Hampton Village to move away from self-parody and restore a little balance. We all want to live and shop in a vibrant community that supports local businesses and helps them endure — not frozen in time in someone’s idea of snow globe perfection.
If businesses like Petit Blue suffer because they can’t effectively drive sales (especially in the offseason), the only things left will be empty luxury stores that offer little daily value to the community.
Ben Berentson
Springs
Vital SupportGovernor Kathy Hochul’s recent announcement of $20 million in her 2025 budget for victim assistance programs signifies a crucial investment in the well-being and recovery of survivors across New York State. In a time when federal Victims of Crime Act...
Won Me OverIn March, my good friend, George Lynch, wrote to The Southampton Press expressing his, and the Southampton Town Democratic Committee’s, support for congressional candidate John Avlon [“Blown Away,” Letters, March 7]. George aptly described our Democratic Committee as “not an...
Misplaced CreditYour recent screaming headline, lauding Nick LaLota, who “helped secure $1 million in federal funding for Southampton Village planned sewer district” [“LaLota Helps Secure $1 Million in Federal Funding for Southampton Village Sewer Installation; Village Still Working on Securing Site...
Safe DestinationWe appreciate the op-ed by Karl Grossman [“Is Plum Island Safe?” Suffolk Closeup, Opinion, April 18] yet wish to point out that much work has been done in recent years to make Plum Island a safe and compelling destination for...
Paddle TimePaddling season is here! I use a canoe, kayak, prone board or stand-up paddleboard. Every place I paddle is a pleasure. I would like to share some of my favorites with you. Paddle from Connecticut Avenue in Manorville to Riverhead:...
OptimismOn April 22, the East Hampton Town Trustees had a very interesting meeting. The dredge priorities were discussed. An area named was Napeague Harbor. This is a step up from about a decade ago, when the Trustees were seemingly passed...
The Fig LeafBenjamin Netanyahu and his supporters stated that their goal is to eliminate Hamas. They have a right to pursue this goal. Their unstated goal, softened by being referred to as “collateral damage,” is the elimination, or at least drastic reduction,...
SquanderingWe are squandering resources at an alarming rate. We are without the will to stop it. Just stop. Can’t stop using too much water … so sewer. Watch the vernal ponds dry up and disappear and then wonder why. We’re...
