Letters

Letters to the Editor

FLANDERS

Face the world

Last week’s letter from Shannon Kutner really got me angry (“Keep it positive,” May 19). Where does this person live? In the clouds? Southampton also has beautiful beaches, parks, etc. A lot of the riff-raff that crosses the Peconic River comes from downtown Riverhead as well. Most of the DWIs on Flanders Road have other addresses, i.e. Riverhead, Baiting Hollow, Calverton, Jamesport as well as the South Shore and NYC visitors driving through, making our main throughfare extremely dangerous.

Wake up and smell the coffee, Ms. Kutner, and don’t blame the News-Review for reporting the news. Yes, you should all see the “underwear” tree, the prostitutes and the drug dealers — who, by the way don’t stay on one side of the border — and see what the communities on this side of the river have to cope with.

You also show your ignorance of the area, as the “tree” was located in Riverside not Flanders. We have three hamlets, Flanders, Riverside and Northampton, for your information. We also have a college, Suffolk County Community, which is located in Northampton, Town of Southampton.

When we try to get something going, like a beautiful hotel complex in Riverside, we are stopped in our tracks by all the politicians who don’t want it, but yet somehow an even bigger one gets built along the same river on East Main Street in Riverhead. We try to get a supermarket of our own, so we don’t have to deal with Route 58 and all the traffic, and we can’t do that either.

Homeless sex offenders? Put them on the Southampton side of the river, of course. But yes, they can walk over to the other side. And they do. You can visit them hanging out at your local Riverhead library and walking around the area. Try to get rid of them? No way; just another blight to put up with by the high tax-paying citizens on the Southampton side of the Peconic River, who deal with much higher Riverhead School Disrtict tax increases than you do.

So, Ms. Snob, take a trip down to “beautiful” Main Street and surrounding side streets to see what Riverhead is all about instead of hiding in your development, wherever it is, probably on the North Shore where everything is okay. And if you have children in the Riverhead schools, perhaps you should send them to private schools so they don’t associate with the “other side.” Welcome to reality.

Doris Schneider

RIVERHEAD

Downtown is the place

How ridiculous to name downtown “The Bay District.” The bay is a mile away. The Peconic River is downtown. You could call it the “River District” to be appropriate.

Better yet, why not call it downtown Riverhead? I am proud to own a business in downtown Riverhead and not on Route 58, or Riverhead Bypass or the outlet center. Downtown Riverhead is where it is happening: aquarium, many excellent restaurants, Peconic Paddler, Riverhead Free Library, River and Roots community garden, Grangebel Park, the waterfront, public restrooms, The Junque Shop antiques and more.

Jim Dreeben

owner, Peconic Paddler

RIVERHEAD

Let’s make it happen

I want to acknowledge what a great job Professor Preston Gilbert, Professor Emanuel Carter and their SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry planning/design team did in conceptualizing the revitalization of downtown Riverhead. This is just the type of planning initiative that injects a fresh, holistic perspective into the reccurring problem of turning to developers to dream up plans to revitalize downtown.

Professor Gilbert’s observation that Main Street possesses what many are seeking is a poignant reminder to recognize the cultural assets, elevate them as focal points and move forward to support the hard-working business owners and residents striving to make downtown work.

Now the Riverhead Town Board should pick a plan, vet it through the public, adopt it and hire the students to help get it done.

Mark Terry

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, ’92

RIVERHEAD

The stars and stripes

I am your flag. I have been kicked, trampled, burned and shot full of holes. I have fought battles, but I prefer the untroubled air of a world at peace.

I am your flag. I represent the freedom of humanity and I shall fly high, thundering in silence for the whole world to hear. My gentle rustling in the breeze sounds out the warning to all who would bury me forever that below stands a population dedicated to liberty.

For those who have perished for my right to freedom of flight, for those who will die and indeed, for those who will live, I stand as a symbol of freedom-loving people.

I have been carried into battle in faraway lands, always for the cause of freedom. I am bloodstained, torn and many times wearied and saddened by the thousands who have made the supreme sacrifice.

Do not let it all be for nothing. Tell me the brave have all died for a worthwhile cause. Be proud of what I represent and display me for all to see.

Whether you call me old glory, stars and stripes or star-spangled banner, I shall fly forever as a symbol of your freedom, as I did for your ancestors and as I shall for your heirs.

I am your flag.

Author unknown.

Richard Supinsky

RIVERHEAD

The latest chapter on saving Sound Avenue

On behalf of the entire Board of Directors of the North Fork Environmental Council, I thank the residents of Riverhead and Southold who participated in the SOS Ave (Save Our Sound Avenue) program at Martha Clara Vineyards on May 13 (Friday, no less). Thanks also to the Riverhead News-Review and The Suffolk Times for the great article about the event that was published in last week’s papers. Richard Wines’ great presentation about the history of Sound Avenue was the highlight of the evening program. The NFEC also is appreciative of the public officials who took time from their busy schedules to attend: New York State Senator Kenneth LaValle, Suffolk County Legislator Ed Romaine and Riverhead Supervisor Sean Walter, among others.

As evidenced by recent “Guest Spot” articles by Tom Twomey and Greg Blass in both North Fork newspapers, the current movement to raise public awareness of the significance of Sound Avenue is not new. The intention of the NFEC is to continue building upon a foundation that was laid down decades ago by farmers, politicians, and environmentalists who were determined to do everything in their power to preserve this historic and agriculturally vibrant corridor. If it had not been for the resolve of these individuals, the fundamental nature of Sound Avenue would certainly have been relegated to the past.

The NFEC and the Hallockville Museum Farm have scheduled a cooperative celebration of Sound Avenue on Saturday, June 18. This program will be held at the Hallockville Museum Farm and will include a trolley tour the entire length of Sound Avenue hosted by Richard Wines. For further information about the event and reservations for the limited seating on the trolley, please call 298-8880.

George Bartunek

vice president, NFEC

WADING RIVER

Brookhaven GOP should do homework

I am writing this note in response to the letter posted by Brookhaven Town Republican Committee chairman Jesse Garcia on the Brookhaven Town Republican Committee website regarding recent school board elections.

I find his message extremely disappointing, because when it comes to the Shoreham-Wading River Central School District, chairman Garcia obviously spent zero time educating himself on the candidates’ positions. Evidently, the Brookhaven Town Republican Committee worked on behalf of the incumbent candidate, who consistently voted in support of higher spending and administrative direction that does not represent prudent fiscal management of taxpayer funds. As a registered Republican for the past 26 years, I am scratching my head trying to figure out how something like this happens. It is inept at best.

My suggestion to the chairman and the rest of the committee, next time you decide to meddle with school board elections and use contributor funds, speak with your major constituent groups (senior communities, local businesses, etc.) so you know what the hell you’re doing before you do us any favors!

Nikko Lavey

MATTITUCK

Report those copters

A new summer season is upon us and the North Fork will shortly be inundated  with  helicopters buzzing overhead.

The Eastern Region Helicopter Council had admitted that Mattituck continues to be a turn-off point which pilots continue to use to get the Hamptonite clientele to their summer homes.

It is very important for all North Fork residents affected by the helicopter noise to please call the toll free complaint hotline at 1-800-319-7410 or fill out the online noise complaint form at planenoise.com/erhc. Each complaint is logged and mapped.

In order for change to happen, please don’t wait for your neighbor to do it for you. We can make a difference together.

Teresa McCaskie