Letters

Something momentous happened recently.

I count myself among those who will complain about a problem without having a formed solution or alternative, as most of us do, especially in a crisis. But I was blown away when Sag Harbor Deputy Mayor Tom Gardella put forth an affordable housing alternative at the location of the present main firehouse on Brick Kiln Road, after having contacted the principals potentially affected by the proposal — including Dai Dayton, head of the Long Pond Greenbelt, who has too often been blindsided by people who think they can disrupt that important ecosystem with impunity.

Deputy Mayor Gardella sought her out about use of village-owned land in the Greenbelt in the spirit of transparency and inclusion that is so critical to a public process, coming up with a truly viable proposal for increasing affordable housing here in the village, as reported in The Express two weeks ago [“Gardella Pitches Affordable Housing at Sag Harbor Municipal Site,” 27east.com, February 8]. This is leadership.

Also, in a move of extreme rationality, at the last Sag Harbor Village Board meeting, not one but three trustees agreed that Local Law 12 deserves to be reexamined [“Sag Harbor Will Revisit Controversial Zoning Law,” 27east.com, February 15]. What a tremendous relief. What if we were able to work together to examine what the actual damage is that could be done by the current structuring of that law?

My takeaway from that meeting is that we have village government representatives reasonably allowing for public input and discussion, and not a moment too soon. This is also leadership, and respectful of our community.

Both these recent events have given me optimism. Now, if we can get Diane, Gabe and their son David Schiavoni the go-ahead to build the replacement building they have been promised for such an outrageously long time on Long Island Avenue, it feels like we’re finally getting back on the right track here in Sag Harbor.

April Gornik

Sag Harbor