“Trump’s Visa Ban,” blared the headline, “Wreaking Havoc On Restaurants” [“Trump’s Visa Ban A ‘Nightmare’ for Local Restaurants,” 27east.com, July 7]. While it’s great fun to blame President Trump for every ill in life, I suggest these businesses refer to the law of supply and demand.
Why can they not find “local” help? It’s because they don’t practice what they preach. Most are vociferous advocates of vastly higher minimum wage and health care for all. Yet the compensation they offer is designed to attract only those who live under the poverty level.
Pay a good wage, and an employee benefit package to match, and you will find reliable “local” help. Of course, that will cut into your margins, something you are loath to do. Of course, rents are too high for many of these small businesses, which is why stores are vacant and quality is often third rate.
Landlords who charge too much, business owners who won’t pay employees enough. But it’s all Trump’s fault.
Feel better now?
James McCahill
Southampton
Saying GoodbyeThe Golden Pear Café in Bridgehampton will close its doors on Monday, October 27. After 30 years of faithful service, meaningful relationships and contributions to the heart of this community, we are forced to say goodbye. We have been disappointed...
Something CrookedThere’s something crooked happening in the Southampton Town Council elections. In our polarized times, we’ve gotten used to the idea that there are candidates on the far left and the far right, usually represented in New York elections by the...
Yes, MAGACyndi McNamara is, too, a MAGA — if MAGA means “McNamara Against Government Asininity.” Since coming our way, she has done her homework, sought out the public’s concerns, and been available and open and conscientious throughout. Most important, she actually...
Deep CommitmentI have lived in Westhampton since 2011 and have followed Maria Moore’s work closely, first as mayor of Westhampton Beach and now as Southampton Town supervisor. Over the years, I’ve had several opportunities to listen to her and speak with...
Broken SouthamptonWhat was once a charming park, alive with birds, butterflies and bunnies, is now a dust bowl of holes, trash and construction debris. The bird feeders at Moses Park are flat on the ground, flies have replaced the wildlife, and...
Save the VillageI met with Mayor Bill Manger and the head of the Building Department, Chris Talbot. We agreed to explore a plan to help reduce the number of cars on our roads. Now, it’s a matter of following through on this...
Job Well DoneSundy Schermeyer first ran for Southampton Town clerk in 2006 and beat her opponent. She ran a second time unopposed, and when she ran for third, fourth and fifth terms, she was cross-endorsed by both the Republican and Democratic parties....
In This TogetherI attended both “No Kings” rallies in June and again last Saturday. The spirit of both were identical: We are a community of Americans, coming together, expressing ourselves in the most American of ways — by demonstrating and marching. Both...
