Editorial: It Takes a Village - 27 East

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Editorial: It Takes a Village

Editorial Board on Sep 12, 2019
After most busy summer seasons where Sag Harbor feels more like Times Square than a sleepy, historic whaling village, it’s always the week after Labor Day, on HarborFest, when locals... more

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Lost Focus

Democrats promulgate violence? People just despise the Democratic Party? Please remind everyone who owns Fox News: It is not unbiased. To an extent, I agree that the Democratic Party has not had a strong voice or organization for a while now. In trying to look after everyone, it lost its focus. The apparatus also is definitely ossified. Enter David Hogg and Leaders We Deserve. They are dedicated to replacing geriatric and/or ineffective Democrats in local, state and congressional races with people 35 and under who are passionate about progressive values more than they care about getting elected for life. This ... 21 Apr 2025 by Staff Writer

Inadequate Responses

“Technically complete but completely inadequate” is the best way to describe the draft environmental impact statement submitted to the Sag Harbor Village Planning Board regarding proposed development of 11 and 7 Bridge Street, aka the Potter project. The DEIS does respond to each of the topics in the June 2024 scope, which itself was the result of extensive review and public input. However, in my opinion, the responses are inadequate. These inadequate responses mean that the Planning Board will have to retain its own consultants to prepare the final EIS. The good news is that Adam Potter will have to ... by Staff Writer

It's a Haven

Recently, the Village of North Haven hired a company to assess how to improve better cellphone coverage for our just over 900 residents [“North Haven To Explore Cellular Options,” 27east.com, April 15]. I want to thank the trustees for their transparency in letting us know that the study was done and that they were assessing different options for its residents. Apparently, cellphone carriers are waiting for us to decide whether we will erect a cellphone tower behind Village Hall. If we don’t hire a cell tower company to build a tower, cellphone carriers may place micro-cell poles throughout the village ... by Staff Writer

Beware of Grudges

As the presumptive “henchwoman” of the Southampton Democratic Committee (thanks for the laugh!) [“House of Cards,” Letters, April 10], I want Southampton Democrats to understand that they are being fed a steady diet of misinformation, half-truths and outright lies by a small group of disgruntled letter writers who do not have the best interests of the committee at heart. I will address two of them. Craig Catalanotto was once a member of our committee and a Democratic candidate for Town Council in 2019. The committee enthusiastically endorsed and supported him. Mr. Catalanotto lost his election and blamed the committee for ... by Staff Writer

The Reality

The Southampton Press’s April 17 editorial, “Under Attack,” rightly laments congressional Republican attempts to disenfranchise millions of citizens from voting via the SAVE Act. Unfortunately, that same editorial relies on misinformed perceptions to cast aspersions on the Southampton Town Democratic Committee’s candidate selection process. Incorrect perception: “If, as it appears, he (John Leonard) was removed by Democratic Committee Chairman Gordon Herr, that’s far too much power in one unelected man’s hands.” The reality: John Leonard was, indeed, supported by Gordon Herr, but he was selected to run in the special election by an attorney-led candidate selection committee that takes pride ... by Staff Writer

Backfiring

Regarding gun safety and mental illness, one consequence of strict firearm regulations is often overlooked: the “chilling effect” these laws can have on individuals seeking mental health treatment. Laws that restrict firearm ownership based on mental health may initially appear proactive. However, research from Duke University and investigations by The Trace and NPR have shown that these policies can backfire, creating fear among those who might otherwise seek care. When the consequence of seeking help is the potential loss of bodily autonomy (federal and state constitutional rights), many choose silence over support. This fear isn’t unfounded. According to Harvard Health ... by Staff Writer

Money Grab

I am still flabbergasted from the cell tower meeting at Village Hall [“North Haven To Explore Cellular Options,” 27east.com, April 15]. When I moved to North Haven, I removed some trees that posed a serious safety risk to my house and my family. The local village SWAT team descended upon my house, presented me with written violations, and a visit ensued from the Department of Environmental Conservation. I got the message. The land that would be destroyed by this proposed tower is between Lovelady Park and Village Hall. Lovelady Park is a success. There were some heated debates around preserving ... by Staff Writer

Under Attack

Democracy is under attack, and calling out the shifty, shady ways political parties are taking choice away from voters is essential. It’s very much an issue at the national level, for so many reasons. Not least of which, the House of Representatives — with the full support of Republicans, including 1st District U.S. Representative Nick LaLota — approved a measure last week called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or the SAVE Act, which would make it much harder for any American to register to vote. Seeking to weed out ballots cast by noncitizens — something that happens so rarely ... 16 Apr 2025 by Editorial Board

A Deeply Felt Loss

Gladys Barnes, an early resident of the historically Black SANS communities — the Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest and Ninevah Beach subdivisions in Sag Harbor — made a monumental impact during her 96 years on Earth. When she died last month at her home in Ninevah, Sag Harbor mourned a towering figure in the local cultural and arts scene and one of the people who forged the bonds that make a community a vibrant, welcoming place. Barnes and others lost in recent years have left a legacy in Sag Harbor that is deeply appreciated by those who will continue to enjoy ... by Editorial Board

Creating Fear

Once again, The Express News Group goes the “sky-is-falling” route between the cuts to libraries [“Institutions React to Federal Cuts to Institute of Museum and Library Services,” 27east.com, April 3] and schools [“Living in Uncertainty: School Administrators Talk Possible Federal Cuts in Midst of Budget Season,” 27east.com, April 14] that will decimate our community. But, will it? Just like the beginning of the year, when they needed a hit piece against Donald Trump, they go to the well once again. But, just like the piece on school administrators bracing for ICE invasions at our local schools [“School Officials Are Dealing ... 15 Apr 2025 by Staff Writer