Letters

As I sit and compose this letter, I am saddened by the fact that it appears that the Pine Barrens Commission is going to give Discovery Land the okay to build in the Pine Barrens. The irony is that this is exactly what the Pine Barrens Association was created to prevent.

I believe that it will ultimately harm the vast majority of the residents of Southampton Town. I also believe that without the help of Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, none of this would have come to fruition. The project has gone through numerous changes, and Mr. Schneiderman has led them through the labyrinth successfully at every turn. He has gone so far as to claim that the project should move forward because it is the will of the people of East Quogue.

I would like to elucidate on that contention. There was an attempt to incorporate the hamlet of East Quogue into a village. The steering committee working on the incorporation was made up entirely of pro-Hills people; as a matter of fact, a number of committee members worked for The Hills at the time that effort was being made.

In my opinion, the vote to incorporate was a referendum on The Hills by the residents of East Quogue. I will remind everyone that it was resoundingly defeated. The residents of East Quogue did not want Discovery Land’s project to go forward.

I am sure this is not the last we will hear about the project, but having Mr. Schneiderman acting as their cheerleader-in-chief is quite disheartening.

There have been numerous occasions to stop this project by various members of Southampton’s political body, and some have tried, only to be thwarted in their efforts. It is a sad day when the will of the people is circumvented for political and personal gain.

The last chapter has not be written in this saga, but the effort to write the final narrative in their own image and likeness continues to evolve.

Michael Alestra

East Quogue