Editorial: The Sum of Its Parts - 27 East

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Editorial: The Sum of Its Parts

Kathryn G. Menu on Nov 7, 2019
There has been a lot of talk over the course of the last five years about how Sag Harbor Village has changed. And it has — from its demographics to... more

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Ferry Us

Why don’t we have “inter”-village ferries, similar to the Amalfi Coast, that run along our bays and can port at each village? Imagine the reduction of summer traffic if you could ride in a great ferry from Southampton or Sag Harbor all the way to Montauk, making stops in each village? Or having a dedicated line per stop, like our Fire Island neighbor? Hmmmmm. Carol Scott Sag Harbor 30 Jun 2025 by Staff Writer

Not So Beautiful

President Donald Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill” includes provisions to reduce Medicaid recipients and spending. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office was asked to review those provisions, and these are two key findings: • The number of people without health insurance will increase by 7.8 million by 2034. (Note: Other analysts project many more losing health care coverage, but I’ll use the conservative estimate.) • The total amount of Medicaid spending by 2034, compared to current Medicaid rules, would be reduced by $125.2 billion. Yet, in Congressman Nick LaLota’s recent newsletter, he claims that it is a lie to assert that ... by Staff Writer

Fight Back

As we approach July Fourth, let’s remember that America has suffered through dark and divisive times before. It appears as if we are there again. While there are always those who capitulate, our history shows that we remember those Americans who exhibit the will and courage to fight back. Most recently, Columbia University conceded when the Trump administration made unreasonable and unlawful demands of them. Harvard didn’t — they sued. Law firm Paul Weiss immediately consented to the unlawful and unreasonable demands by the Trump administration. Law firm Perkins Coie did not — they sued. Miles Taylor, an employee during ... by Staff Writer

Don't Change It

As a Sag Harbor native in my late 30s, I’ve seen the East End fully transform into the Hamptons — and it’s not a pretty picture. A village resident, I’m constantly reminded of how I don’t make enough money to live here, and, frankly, I’m habitually not given much incentive to stay. I need the people (and that includes the people who are in positions of power, who have a say in how our village looks, behaves and is addressed, and the nonnative people who visit here or bought second homes here because they wanted to “get away”) to start ... 28 Jun 2025 by Staff Writer

Adhere to Code

We are writing in strong support of the Village of Sag Harbor in its efforts to uphold the landscaping regulations that preserve the character of our community. The recent dispute involving the illegal removal of two enormous, healthy trees by the owner of 11 Meadowlark Lane, including one tree on village property [“Village, Property Owner Close to Settlement in Sag Harbor Tree Clearing Case,” 27east.com, June 4], highlights an important point: We all have a responsibility to follow the established village code. Sag Harbor’s tree preservation code reflects years of community input and environmental considerations, and has been embraced by the residents ... by Staff Writer

Time for Change

Regarding your editorial, “Dangerous Liberty” [June 26]: We are of like minds on some issues — government overreach, the founding fathers’ understanding of the dangers of democratic process and of the dichotomy created by a two-party system. It seems important to me that it be clearly understood that the “No Kings” protest was not organized or supported by either party. It may be that more people labeled “Democrat” showed up, but it was organized by Indivisible and its affiliates. Indivisible was founded during the current administration’s first run for power in 2016. It is entirely grassroots and, so far as ... by Staff Writer

Dangerous Liberty

With the Fourth of July on deck, and the national “No Kings” protests occurring recently, it’s worth taking a moment, in partisan times, to remind ourselves that dissent is patriotic, and protest is a core American principle. You might well disagree with what’s being said, depending on which group is protesting, or who is in power to face the protests. But the act of civil protest is a healthy part of democracy, and in fact is essential to its survival. And it’s hardly new. The Center for the Study of the American Constitution, a nonprofit, nonpartisan center based at the ... 25 Jun 2025 by Editorial Board

Support Shelter

I am a volunteer at Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, and I see the valuable work they do. The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, open-admission, no-kill shelter that relies on the generosity of donors to care for the homeless animals in our community. Last year alone, the shelter rescued and found homes for 768 dogs, cats, bunnies and a host of other animals. Southampton Town eliminated the shelter in 2010, and Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation was formed. We provide animals with housing, food, medical treatment, training and rehabilitation until their forever homes are found. Eighty percent of our ... 24 Jun 2025 by Staff Writer

Think Twice

Cyndi McNamara, after claiming she was “not opposed” to sand mine amortization, read a lengthy document into the record delineating what she claimed were procedural errors committed by the Southampton Town Board [“Southampton Town Board Adopts Sand Mine Amortization Law,” 27east.com, April 9]. If you were wondering why she went to such lengths, the answer is now clear. Just read the lawsuit recently filed by Sand Land against the town [“Sand Mines Sue Southampton Town Over Amortization Law,” 27east.com, May 7] — and remember her threats to all her fellow board members (on the record) at one of the first ... by Staff Writer

Speak Out

After reading the recent article “Sticker Shock at the Cost of Lawsuit Over Shinnecock Gas Station Project” [27east.com, June 4], I am appalled at the amount of money being spent on the town’s litigation. The amount of money being spent hourly on attorneys is more than most people’s weekly salary! The Southampton Town government received a letter on January 2 stating that the Shinnecock people were never removed from or abandoned the Westwoods territory, and that the land is their “Aboriginal” territory. Yet the Southampton Town Board is paying lawyers $1,500 an hour ($1.4 million in total so far) to ... by Staff Writer