Letters

When 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. Some fear losing it, opposing what they believe will put their comfort at risk, whether, in reality, it will or will not.

Those without the things they want and need struggle to find it. They often suffer in silence, hoping that someone will notice and take the common sense steps to make things better. If the community doesn’t, they often leave to find that comfort in another community that does.

A balance of good things is what we all hope for. Just the right amount of everything.

We have too much traffic for many of us.

We have too few places to live for many of us.

Food, housing and necessities have become very expensive for many of us.

Taxes, insurance and medical expenses are rising.

While some are on the way up the income generating ladder, others are on the way down.

Some are just stuck at a rung on the ladder that doesn’t provide the security they need.

How can we, as a community, help everyone find a balance? It’s about having open dialogue, giving everyone a voice to express themselves. But that takes intention and commitment.

While there’s a small group of us that don’t need to be asked for our views, it’s those who are too busy working, raising children or struggling in silence that we need to check in with and hear their voices. Unless we reach out to them and give them a truly safe place to express their views, they won’t be heard. That goes for the young and the aging, the EMT, the school guidance counselor and the person making our bacon, egg, and cheese in the morning.

I talk to dozens of local residents and workers every day, it’s clear that we can do more to help create a balance for many in our community. Balance usually makes people happier, and happy people make happy places. I like happy, do you?

Michael Daly

Sag Harbor