Letters

As someone who was in one of the first cars to travel on the new Montauk Highway/27A in the early 1970s, I am saddened that some of our Native American neighbors are planning to erect two giant billboards [“First Of Two Shinnecock Billboards Nears Completion,” 27east.com, May 23]—but I have to agree with some of the sentiment expressed by many who have pointed out that it is not exactly a pristine highway at this point in time.

The elected officials of the Town of Southampton have neglected County Road 39A/State Route 27 from where it begins after the proposed “monuments” all the way to the East Hampton Town border. Power lines should have been buried years ago with all of the millions of tax dollars collected, and the sides of the roadway have no consistent plantings or trees or grass, etc. Multiple stores display various temporary and permanent unattractive signs and bizarre statues and promotional flags along the entire stretch of roadway, and there is nothing that is in keeping with such a historic and beautiful part of Long Island.

I would respectfully urge our representatives to clean up the mess that they have neglected before they criticize the Shinnecock Nation, and then perhaps all of us can work together to beautify the East End’s gateway.

Walter DeaneSouthampton