Letters

Letters: Compromise can be made with bringing dogs to beach

KATHARINE SCHROEDER FILE PHOTO | Humans and dogs can co-exist at the beach, one letter writer argues.

GREENPORT

A beach compromise

While I’ve not compiled official statistics on this, my analysis, based on reading the police blotter and the fine reporting on these pages, is that over the past several years we’ve had one reported incident of a dog menacing a human, and many, many reported incidents of humans menacing other humans, including DUIs, thefts, altercations, etc.

Therefore, we should probably first focus on banning humans from the beach before we ban dogs from beaches.

Moreover, my fellow dog owners and I are the only people I see cleaning up all the trash left on the beach by beachgoers, all of whom also happen to be human. I think I’ve made my point; close all the beaches to dogs and humans.

In all seriousness, we can probably find a pretty easy compromise here. It’s the same compromise made in literally almost every other beach community I’ve ever visited. From May to September dogs may only be on the beach early in the morning and evening hours. The rest of the day, my fellow dog owners and I should happily cede the beaches exclusively to our fellow humans.

We would be grateful, though, if these humans would leave us a little less cleanup work during our early-morning dog walks. The same trash bins in which we deposit our dogs’ waste bags are also conveniently available for humans to deposit their food scraps and litter.

Doug Roberts

MATTITUCK

Ridiculously insane

Apparently, someone has the wrong impression of the people of Mattituck.

We’re a kind, caring and community-minded group. We support our local businesses on Love Lane and really appreciate their presence. However, there are difficulties on Love Lane, which are not related to parking one’s horse and buggy.

We’re thankful for parking availability on both sides of the street. One issue that arises is when GPS reroutes a tractor trailer truck through Love Lane and the truck can’t get through. The fumes are horrendous, Huge trucks don’t belong on Love Lane.

Another issue which I’ve witnessed on many, many occasions is a person parked facing south in front of the stores on the west side of the street near Main Road who decides to make a U-turn in an already dangerous intersection so they can head north without going around the block.

Then there are the others who seem unable to read two large “one way” signs on Old Sound Avenue and drive east illegally past the North Fork Community Theatre ending up at the south end of Love Lane, where some bozo is making a his/her U-turn. All while traffic is whizzing by and pedestrians are present.

I often sit on the side of Love Lane, drinking my coffee and watching these ridiculously insane moves — moves that fortunately have not resulted in fatalities.

The sarcasm that was used to describe people in Mattituck and the Love Lane traffic issues was truly offensive and ignorant at best.

“Don’t worry, Mattituck residents, soon it will be winter and you can enjoy a dead street.” Better a dead street than a dead person.

Sheesh!

Tricia Strzepek

MATTITUCK

We just can’t wait

Just a note regarding Love Lane becoming more and more dangerous because of increasing vehicle traffic.

I agree with many of the others that it’s only a matter of time before someone gets badly hurt or killed on that street.

I spoke to the post office manager a while back on the question of a post office having to be on a two-way street. He referred me to a regional director and I was told by that person (I don’t recall his name) that there would be “no problem” with the P.O. being on a one-way street.

At the time I found that out, I notified Supervisor Scott Russell and the Town Board. That took place last year.

We can’t wait any longer. Something has to be done.

Jack McGreevy

SOUTHOLD

Send in the survey

Our thanks for your July 5 story about the survey being conducted by Southold Free Library.

To date we have received over 400 responses from Southold and Peconic residents. While this is an impressive response, we want to hear from everyone — all members of each household.

This is your library; let us know what you want it to be. Our deadline is Aug. 5. You can take the survey online at southoldlibrary.org, pick up a copy at the library or send us the one we mailed to your residence. We’ll let you know the results this fall.

Thanks again to those who have filled them out. And to those who haven’t, please do.

Maggie Merrill

president, Southold Free Library
Board of Trustees

SOUTHOLD

Love those letters

Stepping outside this morning I initially thought I had slept until October, but after a few moments realized the desperately needed break in the current heat wave had arrived.

No longer doubting my sanity, I went out for my copy of The Suffolk Times and when I got back turned to my favorite section, letters to the editor. (My second favorite is the police report.)

I don’t know if the heat set everybody off but what a variety of topics and opinions. Leading the pack were letters about the infamous yellow bags. As expected, the town took the brunt of the abuse and ridicule despite the fact it is following a DEC mandate requiring garbage be placed in yellow bags for collection.

One writer did bring up a very valid point when he questioned why garbage from commercial establishments seems to be exempt from this rule. Perhaps someone from the town could provide an answer for us.

There was also a letter from a lady commenting on the demise of allowing dogs on town beaches. Frankly, I can think of nothing more fun than watching a dog at the beach. Let’s face it, they basically lose their minds from being so happy chasing waves, retrieving things and just plain running until they drop. Surely a few beaches without lifeguards could be exempt from this rule.

As for what they may leave behind, I’ve found most dog owners are very conscientious about cleaning up after their pets, unlike the two-legged pigs who persist in using public and private property as their personal dump. Perhaps the town should direct the police to assign officers to keep a closer eye on the most abused locations.  A few well-publicized arrests and stiff fines could only help the situation.

Finally, there was a letter stating that beginning sometime in August helicopters will be required to fly over the Sound instead of over the North Fork. This comes as great news, but which federal agency or official do we call when the arrogant, inconsiderate mutts who operate these noise generators decide to ignore the new rules?

All in all a great week of readers’ contributions. As they used to say on some old TV show, “Keep those cards and letters coming, folks!”

Patrick Lohn

GREENPORT

How lucky we are

How fortunate we are to live in a town where our needs are met with alacrity.

Mr. Harris and the highway department responded immediately to our concern about dead branches overhanging wires in the front of our home.

The gentlemen who were here were considerate in the trimming of the tree and the removal of all debris. It was a very hot day and their kindness and thoughtfulness for our safety were apparent.

It’s hard to express and explain, unless you were here, the almost artistic way they accomplished a very arduous task in such horrendous heat. They were polite and smiling and friendly.

Their attitude toward their work was both professional and responsible.

Jacqueline Wolfson and Sali Stern

GREENPORT

Stay away, Sally

R.I.P. Sally Ride, 1951 to 2012

1st American woman astronaut.

Ph.D. in physics and astrophysics from Stanford University.

Loving partner of Tam O’Shaughnessy.

She didn’t live long enough to be banned from being a Boy Scout leader.

When will we learn?

Bob Feger

CALVERTON

Whose interests
at heart?

Last week, casino Billionaire Sheldon Adelson announced a $5 million contribution to Eric Cantor’s YG Action Fund super PAC. This is significant to all of us who live in the 1st Congressional District, because Mr. Cantor has hosted multiple, high-dollar fundraisers for Republican Congressional candidate Randy Altschuler.

Two years ago, our local airwaves were barraged with hundreds of thousands of dollars of ads from Karl Rove’s American Crossroads super PAC supporting Mr. Altschuler. This year, with the Citizen’s United ruling opening all elections to unlimited secret contributions, these ads funded by groups outside our community will blanket our airwaves. Look forward to a thousand commercials featuring a narrator with a deep, scary voice trying to convince us that Mr. Altschuler (a Suffolk County newcomer) will better represent our interests than Tim Bishop, who has spent his life in dedicated public service where he grew up — eastern Long Island

Do you think that Mr. Adelson’s main concern has anything to do with the concerns of our community, or is he simply placing a bet on which party will give him the biggest tax break on his billions?

Mr. Altschuler came to this district three years ago after failing to get nominated for Congress in New Jersey. He flooded our CD in 2010 with thousands of road signs and the largest billboards our district has ever seen. This year we’ll see if Mr. Rove’s and Mr. Adelson’s money together can put him over the top.

If it does, what does that say for the state of our democracy?

Jerry Silverstein

RIVERHEAD

Ban assault rifles

As a native Westerner born in Aurora and a grandson of Fairplay, Colo., homesteaders, owning rifles and pistols was common.

My dad gave me my great-grandfather’s shotgun and as a kid I rebuilt a .22 rifle. I’m not a hunter, haven’t shot a weapon since I was in the military, but I believe in the right to own guns.

But an assault weapon? Why? You certainly wouldn’t use one to hunt. It’s primary purpose is to immediately kill or maim combatants, certainly not the innocent.

Murder is a very sad part of living in our world today, but so too is cold-blooded carnage like what just happened in my hometown. That’s because of the availability of assault weapons to the general public.

Enough! Please tell our lawmakers to ban the sale of these weapons.

Thanks to our forefathers we have the right to own them, but why would you want one?

Bert Vogel

LAUREL

Reclaim democracy

We in the U.S. have always been very proud of our democratic history. Contrary to many foreign oligarchies and dictatorships, we all participate individually in our government and its decisions, and are very proud.

“One man, one vote” is our mantra. We have to talk about this, though, as now other people’s money is overpowering our votes and the system is deteriorating.

As we listen to TV advertisements and to the blather on the alleged news programs do we see truth and honest debate? As we follow the course of money in the system and see how the ability to fund all sorts of biased commentary rests in the laps of wealthy contributors, lobbyists and Super PACs, for example, don’t we see a loss of influence of the average citizen?

As inequality increases the wealth of the few and the sweat of the many, don’t we see unfairness increasing? Isn’t the GOP’s constant hammering at “no taxes for the rich, no regulation for finance and industry,” all presented under the guise of increasing the growth of jobs a bit ludicrous?

Don’t we see the Supreme Court decision that equates corporations with individuals as a flagrant example of substituting the wealth of CEOs to support their personal views for what should be important, which is promoting the desires of the majority of the citizens?

We the voters have to face up to the fact that we have allowed the wealthy to steal democracy from us. The Super PACs and lobbyists have enabled large sums of money from the few to push their goals ahead of the average citizen’s.

Right now the Republicans have bought into this system. Our only immediate avenue is to support President Obama and the Democrats and work to get back to “one man, one vote.” And it won’t be easy.

Think about this, voters, and do the right thing. Right now it’s life or death for democracy and the country we all love.

Howard Meinke

GREENPORT

Tim Bishop’s money

In Steve Curry’s July 19 letter “Bishop’s on our side” he concludes that Tim Bishop will represent “us” while Randy Altschuler will represent Wall Street.

Mr. Curry states: “In this election the question comes down to voting to protect ourselves from the overreaching power and greed of the financial industry.” He further says, “Wall Street bankers and brokers are among Altschuler’s biggest contributors.”

After doing a quick check, it’s interesting to note that Tim Bishop’s largest political campaign contributor year after year has been Renaissance Technologies, a private hedge fund management company with tens of billions of dollars in assets.

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Richard Fasbach

RIVERHEAD

Ignorance is bliss

John Henry’s Guest Spot, “Our ignorance on issues is dangerous,” (July 19) points out an ignorance in the voting age group of 18- to 29-year-old Americans.

Mr. Henry used words like staggering, breathtaking, appalling and alarming. He noted Pew research as a respected organization. I agree with Mr. Henry that “ignorance isn’t bliss.”

With Mr Henry’s article in mind, I found a Pew Research report from November 2008, called “Young Voters in the 2008 Election.” The report simply states “66 percent of those under age 30 voted for Barack Obama.”

I thank Mr. Henry for bringing this problem to light. I also believe knowledge of the issues is extremely important when voting in November.

Jim Breitenbach