Letters

 

??CATCH A FALLING STAR

Dear Dan,
I am terribly heartbroken, as I lost my bird Star, last evening in Southampton. We were staying at The Enclave Inn in Southampton. He flew out of the little cage, which I did not close, I opened the door and he tried to land on me, although startled he went up in the air into the night upon a tree.
Can you post in the paper about him? Hopefully someone will find him.
Maybe you have an idea of what else to do.
If anyone finds him, please call 917-576-7716 or my husband’s cell 917-923-1736.
Thanks.
Marguerita
New York City
Via e-mail

Hope this helps. –DR

BEEP BEEP

Dear Dan,
First of all, I don’t think you are a lousy writer...I look forward to reading your paper and your enlightening articles. I would paper a room with your covers if I could.
However, since you are a public figure on the East End and well known to practically all, it would have been to your benefit to back up to let the ugly colored SUV in at the pump. Your car was still running and if it were Alec or Stephen you surely would have accommodated them.
Me, well I know that I wouldn’t ask anyone to back up unless I was under the car.
Take care and keep those papers coming.
Grace Ann Rosenberg
Ridge
Via e-mail

I’m not a lousy writer? This is supposed to be a compliment? –DR

RUMORS FLY

Dear Dan,
I read with interest your piece last week on the explosion of TWA Flight 800 and the question of possible US Government suppression of the facts.
In 1998 Random House published a serious book by Yossef Bodansky, called “bin Laden.” In this book (three YEARS before 9/11) bin Laden is said to have attributed the BOMBING of flight 800 to one Imad Muganeyeh. And the details of the plot are given.
Now, we come to the plane that “fell” over Belle Harbour, Queens, shortly after 9/11. The Canadian Government is reported to have arrested a terror suspect who NAMED the person who blew up this plane. Cindy Adams, for her part, has written that Richard Reid was the SECOND shoe bomber; that the first was on the Belle Harbour plane. When the Canadian Government told us of the arrest and the allegation, my understanding is that our Government replied, in words to this effect: Well, we have no proof of that.
Ask me if I fly. Ask me if I trust the people who are supposed to be protecting me. Not.
Jeannie Reed
Via e-mail

Gulp. –DR

SUVs TAKE SUPER

Dear Dan,
I read your tale about the confrontation you had with the guy in the gas station – mostly, my eyes bugged out when you said you had paid $74 + tip for gas for your gas guzzler – shame! I have a 1989 Honda Accord and on the third of every month when Social Security hits the bank, I buy $20 worth of gas that must last me for the month!
God! Life is so unfair!
Helen Turner
Via e-mail

I write on the beach. It’s my job. I need something with 4WD. They all guzzle gas. –DR

DOG DAY IN AUGUST

Dear Dan,
In response to last week’s article, T-Bone Arrested; David Caldwell’s ten year old German Shepard’s run-in with East Hampton Town, I wish to relate the following story.
For several decades, until 1999, I owned a home in Sag Harbor Village, down behind the Whaling Museum, occupied along with several Labrador Retrievers. During part of this time period, mid 1990’s, I had one yellow lab named Max. For years, he enjoyed roaming the village, visiting local deli’s etc. in search of treats local shop owners would set out. His favorite, seafood, from the Dock House on the Long Wharf, when it was open during the summer. Sag Harbor’s narrow winding streets, along with sidewalks and it’s historic district speed limit, made it possible for dogs to roam freely around town with little danger, and many did.
As time went on, the whispers of approaching age set in, and Max began to suffer from arthritis. This condition forced him to lay down and rest, during his daily visits. One evening the Sag Harbor Police called, I had my cell phone number on Max’s ID, and ask if I would come down and pick up Max who decided to rest in the middle of West Water Street, on his way home. The police, who no doubt had more important things to attend to, were kind enough to cone off the area with traffic cones, until I arrived. After the third such episode, I was resigned to the fact that Max’s days of his daily constitutional were over. Much the same as one hates the fact of taking away the driver’s license of an elderly parent who can no longer safely drive, but knowing they’re a risk to themselves and others, Max was relegated to the safety of a fenced in back yard, to live out his remaining years until he passed away of old age. Safe, but probably not terribly happy.
In closing, I would like to say, there were never any warnings, or threats of imposing outrageous fines, by Sag Harbor officials, for Max’s escapades. It was handled in a professional manner. What happened to David Caldwell is nothing less than extortion, by East Hampton Town for issuing numerous summonses totaling $650. No doubt, animal control officers, being pressured by the town fathers to fatten East Hamptons coffers, much like traffic control officers being instructed to write, write, write parking summonses. A look at the annual budget shows the enormous revenue being pulled in by such actions. Finally, Caldwell was smart enough to get a copy of these local ordinances pertaining to his case. Many of these laws are either so outdated or look like they were written by a grammar school student, that they could be picked apart by any first year law school student.
Keep up the good reporting Dan!
Bruce Backlund
Sag Harbor
Via e-mail

Courtesy just requires a little time and effort. –DR

WOOF WHOOPS

Dear Dan,
Re: Alan Alda
“Don’t Stuff Your Dog”?
I can’t believe you let that one get by you, what an insult!
The name of the book is “Never Have Your Dog Stuffed and Other Things I’ve Learned.”
No name
Via e-mail

Author! Author! –DR