Editorial: Finding A Balance - 27 East

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Editorial: Finding A Balance

Editorial Board on Jul 16, 2020
In abnormal times, it’s understandable to long for the normal. But it’s probably more sensible to recognize the immediate challenges and accept that they will take you into uncharted waters.... more

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The Senior Surge

People often speak wistfully about young people being the future of this country. They certainly are — but let’s take a moment to recognize that the next few decades are actually going to belong to senior citizens. Which makes a group like Seniors Taking Action, founded by Mary Mulvihill of North Haven and Judy Loeb of East Hampton six years ago, even more impactful. Their small gathering of seniors is growing, in size and stature — it now has 1,400 members — and could well become an advocacy group that serves as a voice for those 65 and older. And ... 30 Jul 2025 by Editorial Board

Estuaries Are a Bargain

Whichever side of the political aisle you sit on, there’s a reality in play in 2025: Government spending is going to be on the chopping block, and only the most compelling arguments are going to save individual investments. Why, then, does federal spending on estuaries seem so precarious? The argument is rock solid, the benefits are clear and demonstrable, and it seems unlikely that the dollars going to places like the Peconic Estuary are raising ire among voters. If this funding is at risk, nothing is sacred. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was in Riverhead last week pledging to fight proposed ... by Editorial Board

A Big Deal

I was pleased to read that U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is organizing a bipartisan push-back against the Trump administration’s efforts to cut funding from the National Estuary Program [“Gillibrand Speaks Against Proposed Cuts to National Estuary Program on Local Visit, Pushes for Increased Funding,” 27east.com, July 21]. In addition to fighting the proposed cuts, Senator Gillibrand (NY-Dem) is proposing to add $50 million over the $132 million allocated to the NEP during the Biden administration. The National Estuary Program is a commitment to the future health of our communities, fisheries and coastlines. So, great job by Senator Gillibrand and others ... 28 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer

Get Treatment

Colin Grattan apparently enjoys the unique perspective that President Donald Trump is too “stupid” to discern the American interests at stake in the Middle East [“Stupid People,” Letters, July 17]. Mr. Grattan infers that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is running U.S. foreign policy largely through flattery that he says President Trump is unable to resist — flattery that inspired our “stupid” leader to destroy (for now) the Iranian nuclear capability that threatened Israel, the region and, potentially, us. Yes, it was clearly clueless and “stupid” for the president to keep extending peaceful options to Iran, which disguised the surprise Israeli ... by Staff Writer

Look Me Up

Dear Ed Surgan: When was the last time you sat down and talked to a Democrat [“Finger Pointing,” Letters, July 17]? It appears that you believe we have no common sense. We flagrantly add to the national debt. Do we? Or is the debt being inflated because the government is being starved of revenue by the supply-side, trickle-down economics of the Republican Party? We need to drain the swamp of useless leeches and replace them with media stars, or cute, compliant blonds? Joe Rogan, formerly a stand-up comic, is somehow a fount of wisdom? Should I apologize for preferring educated ... by Staff Writer

Here All Year

Summer has always been busy, but there was always a sense of respect for the local community. Until this year. I was in Schiavoni’s last week, at the deli counter ordering some cold cuts. As I was waiting, a gentleman, who was very obviously not a local, ordered the same thing I did. I see my turkey being packaged getting ready to be handed to me — but it was not handed to me. It was handed to the man who was behind me. It was not his fault, but instead the fault of the employee, whom I have seen ... 27 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer

Defies Logic

Environmental alarmists make our lives worse because they want to feel good about how they view the world through their rose-colored glasses, and the classic example is Karl Grossman attacking fracking while extolling the virtues of wind farms off the shore of Long Island [“Fracking for Wind Farms?” Suffolk Closeup, Opinion, July 17]. Mr. Grossman lives in a world that the boomer generation can’t let go of: Nuclear bad, fossil fuel bad, and wind and solar are the new religion of environmental zealots. The truth is, the path of wind and solar is too expensive and does not meet future ... by Staff Writer

Contagious

Regarding the letter “Just Chill” [July 17]: It should appear in every newspaper in the country, not just for us on the island. Especially No. 6: Be kind, smile, be patient. Say hello, spread some love — it’s contagious and would make the country a more beautiful place. Katherine Poremba Southampton by Staff Writer

Distorted History

Mark Schulte’s letter, “Worth the Candle” [July 24], represents exactly the hostile attitude that we pointed out in our letter to the editor in the June 16 edition [“Hostile Attitudes”]. It represents a complete lack of empathy, a rejection of any legitimate claims by the Shinnecock Nation, and is one that clearly comes from a noncooperative and adversarial position. The negative tone of his first sentence reverberates throughout. A full response to his many inaccurate statements would not fit the 450-word limit. But there was nothing questionable about federal recognition that was finally awarded to the Shinnecock Nation in 2010. ... by Staff Writer

Rethinking Rentals

East Hampton Town Councilwoman Cate Rogers deserves credit for doing a deep dive into an issue that should be top of mind in both town halls and every village hall on the South Fork: the impact of short-term rentals on the overall housing market. Affordable housing is a constant conversation, but too often the focus is on the price of real estate. That’s clearly a key factor in making communities less affordable to live in, but it’s not the only one. In fact, the impact of short-term rentals, particularly via the explosion of booking websites and apps, arguably has had ... 23 Jul 2025 by Editorial Board