Letters

As a full-time Sag Harbor resident and Sag Harbor School District parent, I am for the Marsden purchase.

I zoomed in to the February 28 Town Council meeting where many adjacent neighbors (my count was 10) and at least three board members of Save Sag Harbor spoke passionately but somewhat disingenuously in opposition.

Why disingenuous? Their coordinated speeches were replete with the same half-truth talking points. The truth is, this is not an out-of-character development project — it is saving open land from home development and preserving it as a community playing field. More than 1,000 residents voted on the Marsden plan.

Back then, the opposition was singularly focused on frightening environmental messaging about artificial turf, on which I take no opinion here. When artificial turf was taken off the table, they pivoted to owls, bats, frogs, wetlands (it is not), toxins (there are no unusual toxins), and on and on — because they just don’t want a field.

Disingenuous because it isn’t honest. Just say what you really mean. What you really mean is: I don’t want kids playing on a field next to my house, even though I bought a house adjacent to a school. Disingenuous because, by my count, at least six of the 10 adjacent neighbors who spoke don’t live here as a primary residence. One who spoke about our fragile environment practices law in Manhattan at a firm that does energy defense work, which means the firm probably represents oil companies. Another opponent positioned himself as a caring individual but against the land use, saying he still looks forward to his young daughter playing soccer — but he lives in Manhattan, where she is more likely to play at Chelsea Piers, and his house sits dark most of the winter, listed on AirBNB.

There was a speech by a prominent family’s grown, long-ago relocated attorney son, a Ross School grad. Many took issue with using Community Preservation Fund revenues, yet have no concern that more than $11 million was fast-tracked for the John Steinbeck home purchase, providing extremely limited public access, or that $4 million was given to the Sag Harbor Cinema, where, because of CPF monies, “public access” gives you membership to the Green Room bar.

Marsden should be a jewel for fresh air play in the heart of the village. While most parents can’t make a meeting on school days, you can email today to townclerk@southamptontownny.gov, subject line stating: “In favor of Marsden purchase.” Numbers matter in a political process. They need to hear from us now.

And, remember, your vote for Town Council members at election time also is your voice. Our local legislators must be accountable to Sag Harbor children and families.

Daniel Marsili

Sag Harbor