Letters

Speaking of hypocrisy, I was truly surprised to see Mayor James Larocca pull the “local” card in his letter [“Utter Hypocrisy,” Letters, October 27], claiming to be looking out for their interests.

We need affordable housing, badly. However, I am deeply concerned that Larocca is steamrolling the collaborative process usually used here in Sag Harbor. But, of course, he’s only been a resident since 2006, so maybe he just doesn’t know that’s how we do things here.

Years ago, when we were worried about CVS moving in, the community came together to amend the local laws to try to prevent this outcome. The village trustees hosted a series of open forums where all stakeholders had a say, and, yes, it took a little time. It was only after this process that the village adopted some new laws, and they worked.

When I heard that the village was changing the laws to try to encourage affordable housing, I decided to tune in again. It was difficult to find out when this issue was going to be discussed. I discovered that since Larocca has been the mayor, the agendas aren’t being posted until a day or two before the meetings, which makes it very difficult to engage in the process.

In 2021, I was pleased to see Larocca tap Megan Toy, a third generation local, to join the Planning Board to represent young locals seeking affordable housing. Yet this July, Larocca had his secretary ask Megan Toy to resign. The secretary explained that Larocca needed to install a friend who used to be on the board — he’d been living abroad but was back now.

The next day, Toy responded: She did not want to resign, especially since the issue of affordable housing was finally coming to the fore. Larocca then met with Toy to tell her that it had come to his attention that she was attending meetings from her bedroom, and that other board members felt this was inappropriate.

Ironically, the reason Toy has to attend meetings from her childhood bedroom is that she doesn’t have a home of her own. Nevertheless, his bullying worked. He pushed Toy over to the Board of Architectural Review and Historic Preservation and appointed John Shaka to her spot.

Is Larocca’s behavior that of someone who is truly interested in giving a voice to the locals?

It’s hypocritical and condescending to think that Ms. Toy is not equipped to represent the plight of her peers. His disrespectful treatment of Toy, combined with the lack of public engagement, make me question exactly what is he up to.

Laura Grenning

Sag Harbor