Letters

My husband and I moved to Sag Harbor in May and were immediately shocked to find our daily lives disrupted by ear-shattering noise emanating from the air traffic associated with East Hampton Airport.

It is the end of October, and the assault continues.

Our in-person and phone conversations are regularly stifled by the din of helicopters, propeller planes and jets soaring over our Sagg Road property. Every day, East Hampton Airport crushes the peace and quiet we expected from life on the South Fork.

Our three adult children and their significant others have spent long stretches with us in Sag Harbor in hopes of being able to work from our house. The all-day commotion from above regularly disrupts all of our business calls.

We chose the South Fork of Long Island as our home because of the area’s commitment to its natural beauty and serenity, as well as its apparent respect for the environment. However, once we realized that the loud rumbling above our home was a way of life, we began questioning whether policymakers are indeed committed to those values.

When we bought our home, the community required us to contribute a significant sum to a land trust aimed at preserving open space and farmland. We were happy to contribute to this cause.

Yet, at the same time, local authorities are aware that aircraft spew toxic fuel over farms, waterways and homes. And officials accept that our groundwater has been polluted by airport activities. Which are the true values of the community?

East Hampton Airport encompasses 600 acres that are used for the enjoyment of a relatively small number of aviation enthusiasts, as opposed to serving the purposes of the entire community. U.S. history is filled with admired leaders who had the vision to set aside large areas of land to be preserved and enjoyed by citizens. Those leaders can take credit for such gems as our National Park System and New York’s Central Park. Those presiding over the fate of East Hampton Airport have the opportunity to establish another natural treasure in our backyard.

I have recently learned that the income from the 600 acres doesn’t improve the lives of a single East Hampton citizen, because the money generated by the facility goes right back to the airport. How does this represent what is in the best interest of the community?

I hope that the people who are entrusted with planning the future of East Hampton recognize that the few who benefit from East Hampton Airport are destroying the tranquility and way of life for the vast majority of the citizens East Hampton, Sag Harbor and surrounding communities.

Liz Albert

Sag Harbor