Margaret Meade has been credited with this quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Well, the group of citizens in Hampton Bays who are committed to turning the former Bel-Aire Cove Motel property in our part of the world into a park is anything but small. It is the vast majority of community members I have encountered. We are absolutely outraged that our town officials will not even discuss ways this option regarding the property could be achieved.
Elected town officials, in our opinion, should be prepared to discuss such a decision publicly and at open work sessions. This is not happening. We refuse to take this decision lightly.
I could go on and on about the reasons many Hampton Bays residents are upset. Please read the two Letters to the Editor in the March 2 issue of this paper. Both of the authors, specifically Marion Boden [“Listen to the People”], a true leader in Hampton Bays, and John Roulett [“Another Option”], expressed all the details regarding this decision. I do not feel the need to be redundant, resulting in my letter being too long.
This is not property suited to redevelopment. Drive past and look at the land. It is waterfront, suited to passive parkland and recreational use — a kayak launching site, a small park, benches and just a nice place to relax by Penny Pond.
Elected town officials, you should listen to us, concerned community members, and let us express our views and not shove yours at us.
By the way, the views of Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning, reported to the Town of Southampton in March 2019 are that the plan of the town “constitutes the unwarranted over-intensification of the use of the premises.” However, the decision of elected town officials is to do what they want, refusing to even listen and allow us to communicate our views and suggestions.
Lorry Werner
Hampton Bays
Shut Him UpFolks: it is time to take Michael Daly at his word(s), unpleasant as that may be. First: glide by his smarmy greeting card calls for “love.” His own words reveal him, above all, and consistently, a purveyor of hate and...
Suffering in SilenceWhen our world gets out of balance, we lose our comfort and security. Too much or too little of anything spikes our fear, and we lose our sense of peace. Those who have what they want and need are comfortable....
Advocate & Adjudicate?The previous administration of [Supervisor Jay] Schneiderman and current board member Tommy John Schiavoni did not give high priority to monitoring appointed public officials for ethical lapses in their private life activities. This laissez-faire policy towards ethics enforcement appears to...
Soil Is CallingIn a book titled “In Old Southampton,” Abigail Halsey reminds us that in the early days of Southampton, “every man was a farmer and a fisherman.” But those days are long gone and most people, today, have no connection to...
A Web of InterestsKudos to Craig Catalanotto [“What Are We Doing?” Letters, April 18] and Barbara Ring [“Tangled Web” Letters, April 18] for their letters to the editor shining a light on the web of special interests, conflicts of interest and misinformation that...
Dates of InfamySeptember 11 and October 7, similar dates of infamy for strong allies with similarly divergent reactions. Now gathered mobs of protesters are cheering on those who cry “Death to America” and call for the complete annihilation and genocide of the...
Your VoiceOn June 25, registered Democrats will go to the ballot box to determine who will represent their ticket for New York’s 1st Congressional District. Although CD1 has recently been held by Republicans, both parties have assumed leadership over the years....
Master ClassI thank Barbara Ring for aptly proving my point. In response to my letter [“An Alliance,” Letters, April 11], which decried the state of civic public discourse in Hampton Bays as being overtaken by misinformation, fear-mongering and conspiracy peddling, Ring...
