Letters

Letters to the Editor

WADING RIVER

Don’t condemn the Wellness Center

In reference to your Sept. 22 special report on Dr. Jesse Stoff, although I am displeased with the personal choices Dr. Stoff has made, we cannot penalize one doctor for the entire staff at East End Wellness. Dr. Stoff’s facility Solstice Wellness Center in Rockaway Park is not the East End Wellness Center. Readers should not confuse the two establishments.

To the Rocky Point woman who spoke in the story on behalf of her 24-year-old daughter by stating the facility “didn’t feel right.” Obviously she has never patronized a medical establishment on Roanoke Avenue in Riverhead.

Most of the medical offices are structured just like East End Wellness. Most of the buildings were once homes that have been converted to office buildings. If you are looking for a sterile, “feels right” type of environment, please go west to the Belle Meade medical offices in Setauket and Stony Brook.

Additionally, both mother and daughter seemed, in the story, to know nothing about allergy testing. Allergy testing is performed with needles, which is a standard medical practice, not just holistic. Precisely how did this dynamic duo believe allergy testing was performed? East End Wellness will continue to get my business as well as referrals.

Jody Mitchell

PECONIC

Never silenced

Interesting story about the buying run on the Times/Review newspapers.

Thought at first it was about someone’s event, but glancing back to the Sept. 22 edition I think some of the buyers might have Russian accents.

Those types will Stoff at nothing.

The story will not be silenced. Long live The Suffolk Times.

Rick and Linda Kedenburg

Cutchogue

Carry on, Times

The catchy news with a headline “Extra, extra! Read all about it!” published in The Suffolk Times on Sept. 29 is interesting and thought-provoking.

“It was the first time someone attempted to buy every copy of an issue in the Mattituck-based business’ history, company officials said.” It is a history or mystery — time will tell us!

The Suffolk Times is like a bridge between the communities of Long Island that keeps flashing news — good news, bad news, acceptable news or not acceptable news — and one should take it and play it with a “good sportsman spirit” and with a positive attitude and approach.

Journalism is a challenging task, especially in this fast-changing world, and The Suffolk Times is doing its best effort to keep up with the changing times.

Carry on the charismatic journalism!

Muneer Haleem

CUTCHOGUE

Agitate, agitate

It made me sad to read that the editor of The Suffolk Times received no constructive advice from readers about handling the helicopters.

Although, to be honest, I was too busy laughing about the woman who spent $183 to buy up all the copies of The Suffolk Times and Riverhead News-Review (even though the Southampton Press costs only a buck) to feel sorry for myself. (Clearly, you have a superior paper stock, something readers should remember when packing for a move.)
But back to the issue at hand: I have an idea about what to do about the helicopters. Protest.

All we need is an organizer, a bus and a savvy person who understands social media. Every Friday and Sunday from mid-May through Labor Day, we rent a bus and head south to picket the East Hampton Airport. That should draw the attention of the media, which in turn might wake up the politicians. It might also make the arriving and departing fat cats a bit uncomfortable — a pleasant side bonus.

I’m on board if someone wants to take charge (don’t look at me; I was born to follow) and get the ball rolling.

Oh, we probably could use an art director too for the placards. And a PR consultant. Maybe some caterers to make the sandwiches. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

William Sertl

Mattituck

They’re here and they’re landing

Well, I guess the South Fork has truly arrived on the once-tranquil shores of the fast-changing North Fork.

The choppers now are not only buzzin’ the hell out of us, heading for the “party-town USA” South Fork (on Fridays till early Monday mornings), but they drop right in on us now in Mattituck, and land.

No kidding. Ask a startled fisherman down at the DEC boat launch ramp on Mattituck Creek. It came in about 30 feet over his head and landed nearby. What a surprise.

So, as he said to me, “Goodbye peace and quiet in good old Mattituck.”

P.S. I was there.

Jack McGreevy

MATTITUCK

Some sign chicanery

One week after the Southold Democratic Party’s candidates agreed to a unilateral moratorium on all political signs in Southold, it was reported that a political sign for Riverhead Democratic supervisor candidate Phil Cardinale appeared in Southold.

Last year many of our signs were stolen, this year the zealots are moving them from Riverhead to Southold. Phil Cardinale assured us they did not put their signs in Southold. Please watch for more of the same and all have permission from Phil Cardinale to remove them.

You will not see Southold Democratic signs anywhere since we did not order any. In response to Southold Republicans, you, too, would not have any to litter the roads and neighborhoods, even if people asked for them, if you, too, did not order them.

I call upon Republican leaders to ask their party members to refrain from moving signs into town.

Art Tillman

Southold Democratic leader

Mattituck

It’s commercial

Already the political bluster has started. Bob Meguin should invest in a dictionary to assist himself in future diatribes. He stated (Sept. 22, “The wrong message”) that “shutting down a vineyard means the loss of critically needed jobs … ”

Vineyard = agriculture; winery = commercial operation; shed = tasting room = retail operation.

Sherwood House has been operating a retail business on preserved land without a permit in opposition of town code.

Only after many defied orders did the town finally take action. No jobs in the agricultural operation of the vineyard are in jeopardy. How many people are employed at the “shed”?

Why would the town support a new business while apparently the owners are currently operating unlawfully? Why would Bob Meguin support it?

Mary Anne Coe

Farmingdale

Don’t divert funding

There has been much said about Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy’s proposal to use funding from the quarter-cent sales tax program to provide for needed sewer infrastructure.

A portion of this money has always been allocated to the sewer stabilization fund, which pays down debt on the Southwest Sewer District. Since funds needed for this debt have been decreasing over the years, excess funds can and should be allocated for upgrading existing sewer infrastructure to more modern treatment technologies.

In some cases, we need to build new sewer systems in communities such as Mastic and Shirley, where the Forge River is severely degraded from septic system discharge.

The Citizens Campaign for the Environment agrees with Mr. Levy that using excess funds for needed sewer upgrades and new infrastructure is a wise and necessary step. Upgrading sewers will protect our drinking water, bays and estuaries, all of which are in the spirit and intent of our water protection program.

However, funds should not be removed from the sewer tax stabilization fund and deposited into the county’s general fund in order to balance the budget.

For 20 years our organization has worked to keep the drinking water protection program as a safe and lasting fund to protect our island’s natural resources and our only source of drinking water.

Sewers are a part of that protection plan, but diverting funds is not.

Adrienne Esposito

executive director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment

AQUEBOGUE

Don’t judge a house by its cover

To the woman who wrote the editor expressing disgust over my new home.

Madam, I thank you for describing the home I built with so much love and creativity as a nightmare for my neighbors. I apologize to you for somehow disturbing the tranquility of this beautiful waterway. Although there has not been a single complaint from anyone but you, I hope you accept my apology.

I further apologize if you are offended by the joyful noise of what you refer to as my “circus grounds on the waterfront.”

What you may have been offended by was my annual company picnic. I feel it is important to thank those that work for me, so each year I graciously serve 100 of my loyal employees with a BBQ at my home. Or maybe what disturbed you was our charity art auction that raised money for the Have a Heart Foundation, which helps homeless people throughout the North Fork.

I apologize for what you perceive as “having turned my residence into a Club Med.” What you may have witnessed was a wonderful celebration on my lawn this summer in which we raised $18,000 for City Harvest, which feeds hungry New Yorkers every day.

I imagine there are other things you have been offended by, for which I also apologize. Possibly it is the black teenagers that are often on my lawn. These are the two African children that I found begging on the streets of Ethiopia several years ago. I now raise them as a single dad and their friends are over often.

I also apologize to you for the soccer games that are played on my lawn by a children’s soccer team that has no place else to practice. I apologize for taking a home that was an eyesore, and making it something artistic and tasteful. I apologize for beautifying the neighborhood and hopefully helping to increase your home’s value.

In closing, Madam, I apologize for all these shortcomings and for having intruded on your unhappiness! I strongly suggest to you that the next time you criticize a fellow human being for his prosperity that you first look into how he employs it.

Victor Ozeri

ORIENT

Out of control

Here we go again.

Someone came on our farmland during the night and cut all the wires on our bird sounding machine. First it was the cannons, now you nuts have a problem with the bird sounds.  They’re only on from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. since they only work with the sun.

What is it with these people that they do not understand? We the farmers have no control over the deer, birds or raccoons that do so much damage to our crops.

Like I said in my other letter to the editor, call the DEC and take your issues up with them.

Once again the police were called and a report was taken. But how dumb can they be walking in our fields at night?

We have hunters all the time going around during the night to shoot the deer. Yes, the hunters are allowed on our farm to try and help control the deer. At times they’ll see about 30 deer in one spot just enjoying all our veggies.

Also, a few nights before the jerk came and cut our wire he or she drove a car or truck on our farm and through our deer fence, taking down a good part of it. That night the deer could really enjoy themselves on our veggies.

This is starting to get out of control.

This time the damage cost us about $1,000. Hope they’re happy with themselves, but we will find out who has been doing all the damage and we will press charges to the fullest extent of the law.

Ethel Terry, Terry Farm

MATTITUCK

Got smoke detectors?

Next week is National Fire Prevention Week. Sadly, in August our community lost two Southold residents due to a house fire.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, roughly seven people a day lose their lives to home fires.

Adults 65 and over are at the most risk. In nearly two-thirds of those fires, there were no smoke detectors or no working smoke detectors. Incredibly, of those non-working smoke detectors, nearly 20 percent had dead batteries.

Working smoke detectors cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half. National Fire Prevention Week is designed to remind everyone about the importance of basic home safety and what one can do to protect their home and loved ones.

Every year, being in the life-safety business, I go on dozens of home visits where there are non-working smoke detectors. I always find it surprising how many people pull down smoke detectors, take the batteries out and never replace them. Working smoke detectors are the least expensive and best way to make sure one’s family is alerted to a house fire and can get out in time to survive it.

In a community with so many volunteer fire departments, it is everyone’s responsibility to check and maintain their smoke detectors. Smoke detectors save lives and greatly reduce the risk that our volunteer firefighters bravely face.

During Fire Prevention Week, I encourage everyone to take the time to check their smoke detectors, replace batteries and consider adding additional smoke detectors.

Building codes have changed over the years. Smoke detectors should be located in every bedroom and on every level of a home within 15 feet of the bedrooms. Additional information on fire safety can be found at nfpa.org.

Paul Romanelli
president, Suffolk Security Systems

MATTITUCK

‘We are truly blessed’

The parents (Chad and Jen), sister (Lila), grandparents (Rich and Carolyn Menard of Mattituck and Jeff and Susie Smith of Cutchogue) and their extended families wish to thank the North Fork communities for their love and support of Olivia Mae Menard’s fundraiser on Sept. 16.

Special thanks to all who organized and orchestrated this wonderful event and to the businesses, organizations and individuals who donated or contributed to this endeavor.

We are truly blessed to grow up, live in and return to visit this especially caring community of family, friends and acquaintances.

The Menard and Smith families

Southold

To reaffirm life

The fifth annual North Fork Foodie Tour is now history. With enthusiasm and hard work by members of North Fork Reform Synagogue, their friends and neighbors, this was the most successful Foodie Tour ever.

Sponsors and raffle donations were generous. Venues opening their doors to us were pleased with the turnout and response to their special work. The weather even cooperated.

On the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I was dubious. Was it appropriate to use our customary date, the Sunday after Labor Day weekend, to run this popular event? I’m glad to report that I was wrong.

Thank you to the roughly 300 adults and children who took the tour and made it a time to affirm life — animal, vegetable and spiritual — thriving here on the North Fork. It was a terrific day that achieved our goals to focus on what the North Fork has to offer, to bring greater visibility in the community to the organic and sustainable issues of a greener world  and to financially support the synagogue. Participating partners, Peconic Land Trust and the Slow Food movement, also presented their organizations to our visitors.

That night our congregation participated in the evening of prayer and remembrance for 9/11 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, along with Cutchogue Presbyterian, Mattituck Presbyterian, Sacred Heart and Cutchogue United Methodist churches and the wonderful young people of NJROTC.

With music by Dan Skabeikis and Tom Andrejack and a candle lighting by local residents who lost a loved one on that day, I was reminded to be thankful on so many levels.

Sylvia Eisenstadt Pafenyk

ORIENT

Wearin’ of the green

Congratulations to the Suffolk County Water Authority for finally cleaning up the mess they left in East Marion last fall.

I hope it’s not too late in the season for the grass to grow … again.

Janet Hands