Sign Pollution - 27 East

Letters

Southampton Press / Opinion / Letters / 1738751

Sign Pollution

Imagine my shock upon driving into Southampton Village on Tuesday, November 17. I witnessed a man drilling into the red brick façade of the old Town Hall building. He was mounting awnings over the windows. Each awning had the name “Phillips.” (Phillips is a New York City outfit attempting to do business in our country village.) Each awning will cover the beautiful crown with keystone over the windows.

I was appalled enough to call Village Hall to speak with a Architectural Review Board person. I was informed that they had been given permission to defile this venerable building with 13 such awnings!

This is a crime. It is sign pollution at its worst.

I live in a historic home, and I serve as a trustee at the Southampton History Museum. I believe in protecting our history.

What was the village thinking? To allow this blatant and disagreeable destruction of an architectural gem in the middle of our village? So sad!

Gerri MacWhinnie

Southampton