Now in the autumn of my life
The bright colors of fall bring a bounty
Paired with a desperate knowing that soon
Gas-powered leaf blowers will surround me.
Such a horrid sound — must we really all suffer
This exercise that’s so pointless and dumb?
They blow them into the street or on the lawn of a neighbor
As if there aren’t more leaves to come.
We rebel against unmuffled cars
And curse airports with low-flying jets
We’re so sensitive if music’s too loud
And we muzzle our barking pets.
We legislate against all forms of pollution
Be it from lights, or swamps, or cars,
But somehow we have all accepted
The racket in our own backyards!
It’s not as if there is no solution;
Batteries now power most everything,
Your car, your drill and your skillsaw
Can’t we apply this to just one more thing?
The reward would be heard in an instant
Peaceful silence would fill our heads
Our local walks will bring lasting relief
When the gas-powered leaf blower is dead!
Howard Mitchell
Sag Harbor
Bad SpiritI am writing to express my deep disappointment in the actions of the Southampton History Museum in evicting the Conscience Point Shellfish organization from their longtime operating home at Conscience Point. This is not a “community-first” approach to resolving what...
Caprcious ActionsI am writing to bring to the community’s attention the absurd, arbitrary and capricious actions of some of the Southampton History Museum board who have, without merit, terminated the lease of Conscience Point Shellfish. CPS is a valuable gem in...
Shameful DecisionI was dismayed reading the recent article about the closing of the shellfish hatchery operation at Conscience Point [“Eviction Notice Sparks a Split Between Venerable Museum and Shellfish Group,” 27east.com, November 20]. The allegations of wrongdoing are shallow and nitpicky,...
Hard To UnderstandAs a resident of the North Sea area (Big Fresh Pond) since the late 1980s, I have observed the development from the initial Boy Scouts’ efforts to the establishment of the oyster hatchery. And I have been a member for...
Clarity for AdvocacyThank you for your recent publication of the Q&A with Lance Gumbs, which delivered critical information and transparency to your readers around the development plans for Westwoods [“Q&A: Lance Gumbs Says Agreement With State for Highway Access Would Benefit Everyone,”...
StraightforwardI just read Joseph Shaw’s interview with Lance Gumbs [“Q&A: Lance Gumbs Says Agreement With State for Highway Access Would Benefit Everyone,” 27east.com, November 22]. I was so impressed with Lance’s honest, candid and informed answers. After each interview question,...
Beneficial ProgramWe are very saddened by the news that the Southampton History Museum is terminating the lease with the Conscience Point Shellfish Hatchery [“Eviction Notice Sparks a Split Between Venerable Museum and Shellfish Group,” 27east.com, November 20]. Their program is not...
Effective StrategySouthampton Town will soon take up a critical proposal to close the town’s nonconforming sand mines and support the longstanding environmental goals of the town’s Comprehensive Plan. There is likely to be some drama, but here is what your readers...
