The first Friday in August is statistically one of the most traveled days in “The Hamptons.” On Friday, August 2, all the back roads heading east from North Sea to Bridgehampton were closed. The closures lasted for over an hour, backing up traffic in directions east and west.
Howard Lutnick, a billionaire, was hosting a dinner for 100 guests to raise $10 million for the former president, Donald Trump, at his home on Halsey Lane in Bridgehampton, south of Route 27. Having a fundraiser for a political candidate is fine — they all come here to raise money.
Last month, President Joe Biden flew in a helicopter to East Hampton from Westhampton on a Saturday afternoon. Roads were not closed. Traffic was held for the motorcade to pass.
However, Friday was different. This was at the expense of our beloved community. Do they just not care?
A permit must have been issued for such an event. The Southampton Town Police Department has to sign off on such a permit. Did anyone not think of what road closures would cause on the first Friday in August to our community? Kids on the beach were not allowed to be picked up by their parents. Hard-working people trying to get home on a Friday evening to their families sat in their cars for hours. A change-over on the first of the month for renters who come here for their vacation. Supporters and volunteers of nonprofit organizations trying to get to their events planned for months to raise much-needed funds could not get to where they were going because the roads were closed. Restaurants lost Friday night reservations and revenue.
How much did this cost the taxpayers of the Town of Southampton? Was it legal to close all the roads, which are also evacuation roads? I suggest that the town submit the costs for our police, fire and ambulances to be paid for by Mr. Lutnick to show he does care about our community — a community that looks out for one another.
Maybe next time, have a military helicopter land on Mr. Lutnick’s property with the former president, if he needs to raise more money before the November elections.
Mae Mougin
North Sea
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