Letters

I am writing to express my concern about the recent opinion piece, titled “The Marsden Plan” [Out of Left Field, Opinion, 27east.com, April 17]. As a reader, citizen of Sag Harbor and one with in-depth knowledge of the issue, I was disappointed to see the publication of an article that was based on misinformation and factual inaccuracies.

I would like to know how this article/opinion piece got published? It’s almost entirely based on misinformation and flat out untrue. Did anyone verify any of the facts Anthony Brandt was writing? He is no authority on any of the points he tried to make, and it looks like The Express just published a hit piece.

No, Marsden is not a “kettle hole,” as the opposition is trying to portray — it doesn’t even show up on any Department of Environmental Conservation, Federal Emergency Management Agency or U.S. Geological Service mapping as being a wetland, flood zone or environmentally sensitive. So, “false” to Brandt on that.

No, it’s not $16 million — it’s a $6 million bond, with now an undetermined use. Again, a lie of made-up numbers by the opposition group.

Now, somehow he is an engineer and claims the road will be raised — again, completely false.

Again, artificial turf — there has been zero discussion on this. Again, made up by the opposition and completely false.

So, my question is, why would the paper publish this without verification — just because it’s Brandt, who has no qualifications when it comes to engineering, architecture or observational historic fact?

I understand that opinion pieces represent the views of the author, but I believe it is the responsibility of the publication to ensure that the opinions presented are based on accurate information. In this case, it appears the editorial team did not adequately fact-check the claims made in the article.

I urge The Express to take steps to ensure that future opinion pieces are based on accurate information and, in this case, publish a correction that this is only the opinion of the author, or have it removed. This will help to maintain the credibility and integrity of the publication and ensure that readers can trust the information presented.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Ron Reed

Sag Harbor