The lawsuit filed by a Springs resident who is incensed by the addition of the word “the” before the hamlet’s official name on two welcoming signs was thrown out on Tuesday, May 2, by a judge who said the man had no right to file it in the first place.
Martin Drew had filed the suit in small claims court, demanding that the town spend about $1,000 to remove the two signs, which say “Welcome to The Springs” on them, because they were erected without permits.
Southampton Town Justice Barbara Wilson, who had taken over the case after both of East Hampton Town’s justices recused themselves, quickly threw the case out on the grounds that since Mr. Drew was not the owner of the land or the signs, he had no standing to demand damages from the town.
Mr. Drew, who grew up in Springs but now lives part-time in Puerto Rico, said he is exploring other avenues by which to force the signs to be removed. He says the county should be forced to remove them since they stand along a county road.
Or, he said, he could take matters into his own hands. “I’ve got a truck and a chain,” he said this week.
Michael Wright on May 6, 2017