Letters

In my 40-plus-years-long career, I have assessed/appraised a lot of land locally, both improved and vacant. In the early 1990s, I professionally assessed this entire town. So I know a thing or two about this topic.

I respect the mayor and all the other citizens who wrote out their opinions regarding the history of this village. But you all forget this one essential fact: All of Southampton Village is historical, every inch of the land. Even the new homes are built on historic ground.

So, the privilege of getting special permission to renovate any property and getting a tax break should be the right of everyone who owns property here. Yes, that is correct and fair.

Pulaski Street begins at David White’s Lane and spills onto Elm Street near the railroad. That street is named after General Kasimir Pulaski of Poland, who was convinced to come to America by Benjamin Franklin, who met the general in Paris and talked him into coming to America to assist General George Washington in winning our independence from the king of England. That king became hotly annoyed with his lack of continuing supply of those yummy Smithfield hams, a fancy export product whose supply had been rudely interrupted by those disobedient upstart colonists — us.

Late in this conflict, General Pulaski was wounded in battle and died for our country. The Polish citizens of Southampton were so proud of him that they caused the street to be named in his honor out of deepest pride and respect.

We Americans are living in extraordinary times just now, so we need to remember our pride of place by being good citizens and not dividing the rich from the regular folks. We are in this together, for we truly are better than that. If you disagree then have a firm honest talk with yourself.

The estate section is no more important than the rest of our special village — a village I love and am proud to call home. Point of interest, 60 Pulaski Street recently sold for $5.05 million.

Here is a true fact: The folks in the estate section are not entitled to special tax breaks to keep their homes nice.

I believe that we all need to rejoin the human race today.

Suzanne Murphy

Southampton Village