Editorial: Let's Talk - 27 East

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Editorial: Let's Talk

Editorial Board on Jan 16, 2019
For most small communities, the digital age has not provided the sort of face-to-face, constructive and civil debate that drives true innovation and accomplishment. Nuances get lost online and opinions... more

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History on Their Side

It seems a lifetime ago, but there were moments of real promise in the relationship between the Shinnecock Nation and state and local governments. In 2020, after workers at a building site in Shinnecock Hills disturbed the remains of an Indigenous person, the town swiftly took action. A year later, the Town Board delivered a new law aimed at protecting graves and other culturally significant sites in town, with a focus on locations of importance to the nation. Two years later, New York State followed with a long-overdue law protecting unmarked graves. “I’m so happy it got done and this ... 8 Jan 2025 by Editorial Board

Celebrate Support

Looking back on 2024, the Noyac Civic Council has much to celebrate and be grateful for. In 2024, we celebrated our 70th year of advocacy for quality of life concerns for Noyac through social, educational and governmental interaction, and charitable endeavors. This advocacy could not have been possible without the dedicated backing of our officers, members and local government officials. We are grateful for the generous financial support we received in 2024 from our members, local merchants and restaurants, without which we could not sustain our advocacy and operations. We’d like to recognize local merchants and restaurants that generously donated ... 7 Jan 2025 by Staff Writer

Protect Crabs

As reported in The Press, the New York State Legislature recently considered a proposal to increase the protection of Atlantic horseshoe crabs [“Governor ‘Drops the Axe’ on Horseshoe Crabs, Vetos Bill That Would Have Ended Commercial Harvest,” 27east.com, December 18]. Assemblyman Fred Thiele voted against the legislation, citing their value as bait in commercial fisheries. Horseshoe crabs are also caught and drained of up to one-third of their blue blood and then released back to the sea alive. There are cells in their blood, which, like white cells in human blood, can recognize bacteria and other toxins. One use of ... 6 Jan 2025 by Staff Writer

Challenge the Plan

It appears from a disturbing report in last week’s Express [“Owner, Village Say They’ll Partner,” 27east.com, December 26] that the new owners of the 7-Eleven and K Pasa buildings and Village Hall may already be in active negotiation to advance the developer’s application for a massive new commercial project that will urbanize and diminish our precious waterfront and do immeasurable harm to downtown. It is the most consequential development facing us in at least a generation. The developers propose to double the size and raise the height of 22 West Water Street and 2 Main Street. This would profoundly harm ... by Staff Writer

Race to Extremes

In Ed Surgan’s recent letter [“Let It Play Out,” Letters, December 26], he disagreed with me due to “primarily … faceless, anonymous sources.” The reality of D.C., statehouses and sometimes even local government is the use of anonymous sources when gathering information for a story. Retribution has become a key tool for many in power. Donald Trump, in fact, openly threatens the use of retribution quite often and did use it to punish perceived enemies during his first term. Whistleblower protection laws were enacted because of such threats and actions from people in power. What Mr. Surgan doesn’t acknowledge in ... by Staff Writer

Grim Outlook

I’ve been intrigued by various impacts, some unintended, of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision. A month or so before this year’s election, multibillionaire and immigrant Elon Musk, who gave $250 million-plus to Donald Trump’s campaign, proposed a lottery in the seven swing states that the election likely would turn on. He would give a million dollars per day to randomly picked voters from those states, $17 million in all, in the run-up to the election. To be eligible, a voter had to be registered to vote by the required date, in that state, and respond to two questions pledging ... by Staff Writer

A Disgrace

A president of the United States has died. The longest-living president. A devout Christian. A loving faithful husband. A caring and loving father. A working man, a farmer. A humanitarian. Built many homes for those in need. A disgrace that the County of Nassau will only lower the U.S. flag for two days for President Jimmy Carter this week. I, personally, will not spend any money in Nassau County while Bruce Blakeman is in office. I hope others follow. Mr. Blakeman is a disgrace. Diane Cheslock Eastport by Staff Writer

Inaccurate Statements

I write to correct the inaccurate and false statements made by District Attorney Raymond Tierney in his press release wherein he announced that my company and I were charged with certain alleged criminal conduct concerning payment of our employees. The first, most glaring and prejudicial misstatement is that I “pocketed money” that should have gone to my employees. I did not, nor did anyone, “pocket” money belonging to employees. The amount representing that which is allegedly owed to our workers is being held, with our consent, by the Town of Brookhaven, pending the resolution of this dispute. The charges in ... by Staff Writer

Let It Play Out

My response, Harry Mainzer, to your argument that Pete Hegseth is unqualified for nomination and confirmation as secretary of defense is: Let the process play out [“Kakistocracy,” Letters, December 19]. My disagreement with you is primarily with the faceless, anonymous sources that have been used to contaminate the fairness of this nomination. For Donald Trump supporters, it is all too reminiscent of the innuendo, lies and outright subterfuge of the initial Trump presidency by a Democratic Party and its complicit media, which abandoned its journalistic responsibilities to amplify doubt and falsehoods. It is clear that you don’t see it from ... 20 Dec 2024 by Staff Writer

Reap Joy

I immersed myself in the Hamptons Doc Fest this December, both as a volunteer and a filmgoer. I hadn’t attended more than a handful of films over the festival’s history, now in its 17th year; however, my recent involvement electrified me with the intoxicating breadth and vitality of this magnificent event! From founder Jacqui Lofaro and her mainstay of directors, to its staff and boards, to its sponsors and patrons, the Hamptons Doc Fest is a hard-driving jubilee rivaling any international film festival. I read a quote that film festivals are “niche businesses.” Upon offering my aid shortly after eye ... by Staff Writer