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Letters to the editor must be submitted via email and
must include
the author’s name, address, and daytime phone number
so that
Bellport.com can confirm the source of the submission. Letters can be up
to 500 words in length and should be in good taste, not libelous, and
not "Fake News."
We expect our readers and their letters to be civil to one another
and we expect them to remember that we are all friends and
neighbors and to conduct themselves accordingly.
If you'd like to submit a Letter to the
Editor, send your letter to
letters@bellport.com.
Letters are posted as soon as they are
received, not just once a week, so check back often!
The purpose of Bellport.com's Letters To The Editor section is to encourage the free exchange of ideas and experiences in our community. While Bellport.com and its staff try to make every effort to see that no libelous statements, inaccurate or misleading opinions or statements, or "Fake News" appears on Bellport.com we wish to make it clear that the opinions expressed in the letters, articles, correspondence, etc. herein are the responsibility of the contributor and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Bellport.com and its staff. Accordingly, Bellport.com and its staff accept no liability whatsoever for the consequences of any such inaccurate or misleading opinions or statements.
In regards to elections (national, state, local), Bellport.com imposes a 48 hour “Blackout” period before Election Day. In other words, assuming Election Day is on a Tuesday, any letters from the candidates or members of the community that are received after 5:00pm on the Saturday prior to Election Day, will not be published by Bellport.com. We do this in order to prevent last minute claims being made and “Fake News” that don’t give sufficient time for which to respond.
March 14, 2019
Editor's Note: This letter is in reference to our recent editorial.
Your Editorial About the Traffic Study
Having lived in Egypt for several years earlier in this decade, I’ve come
to believe that speed bumps (ubiquitous in Egypt) are the only effective
solution to speeding on local streets.
Speed bumps are simple, cheap and easy to maintain. They are effective
because they work on the principle of enlightened self interest: slow down
or wreck your own car! Given those two options, the vast majority of
drivers instinctively make the right choice.
Some say that speed bumps create their own kind of traffic noise as cars
slow down, traverse the speed bump and accelerate again. However, compared
to the typical roar of cars speeding by on South Country and Station
Roads, speed bumps would be quiet as church mice.
Marc Rauch
Bellport, NY
March 14, 2019
Editor's Note: This letter is in reference to our recent editorial.
Bellport Village Automobile Traffic
The problem with cars speeding in the Village has probably been around
since they were invented… as for enforcement forget it… When we went with
Suffolk County Police, the Village gave enforcement away. Bellport Village
is not a high crime area, Suffolk County Police are in high crime
areas…not in Bellport Village to enforce speeding cars. There has never
been an effective means to enforce speeding cars. The only system that was
put forth years ago and would most likely work is this ……. Put traffic
lights on all cross streets to South Country Roads in the Village, making
sure to time each one differently.. I am sure this will slow traffic down.
John D Langfeldt
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
February 28, 2019
Editor's Note: This letter is in reference to our recent editorial.
Traffic Study
The only real solution to the traffic problem on South Country Road is
enforcement.
Joe Varsalona
Bellport, NY
February 27, 2019
Editor's Note: This letter is in reference to our recent editorial.
Traffic Study Editorial
I enjoyed your article. What I think they really should do is...
1) No parking on Station Rd (between S Country and the middle school).
2) That will open up the road for easier access to the parking lots behind
Roosters etc.
3) Combine Roosters, IGA/CVS, and those offices parking lots (maybe even
combine the Library’s parking lot???)
The area behind Papa Nick’s Pizza and Roosters and unutilized. The village
is in desperate need of parking, especially the businesses on the north
side of S. Country. They really should connect the parking lot of Roosters
to IGA/CVS and then run an entrance or exit between Roosters and Papa
Nick’s / Rice Realty.
David M Duffy
New York, NY
February 25, 2019
Editor's Note: This letter is in reference to our recent editorial.
Make Bellport Country Club More Than Just a Golf Club
I, too, am opposed to building a driving range at the Bellport Country
Club for many of the same reasons that have been stated in the previously
published letters to the editor by Carlos Aparicio and Jennifer Vorbach.
However, I think there is a bigger issue at play than improving the golf
course and adding a driving range.
What I find most upsetting is the way this proposal for the Bellport Golf
Club Masterplan was initiated, reviewed and voted into acceptance by Mayor
Fell, the Village Trustees and the Golf Commission. The Bellport Village
Country Club is designated as municipal parkland which, as taxpaying
residents, we all bear the burden of fiscal responsibility and liability.
This entitles all residents to representation with regard to any and all
plans, especially a Master Plan. Yet, decisions regarding management,
capital improvements and planning are made by a committee of golfers based
on a survey of resident and non-resident golfers. What about the residents
of this Village that do not play golf? How were they represented in this
master plan which addressed only one, albeit the largest, component of the
Bellport Country Club? Was the general voting population in the Village
ever consulted about exactly what amenities other than golf would fit
their needs? Was a survey ever sent to Bellport Village Residents asking
what they would like or be willing to pay for?
The Bellport Country Club, for years, has functioned as a private Golf
Club. After questioning many Village residents regarding the Master Plan
and what they envisioned for the future of their Country Club, the
overwhelming response was to build a community pool. Additional
suggestions included expanding Peter’s on the Green, swimming lessons,
lifeguarding instruction, family community events, and extended tennis
court hours. Seniors expressed a need for designated walking periods on
the course paths as a way to safely exercise.
What an opportunity the Mayor and Trustees have to be inclusive and serve
the entire population of Bellport Village, not just residents who play
golf. Let’s give opportunities to residents who cannot afford their own
private pools now that we face issues with the eroding beach, the safety
of the pavilion and rebuilding the dock.
There is an entire population of Village Residents that have had zero
input when it comes to The Bellport Village Country Club. If one does not
play golf, one does not appear to have a voice, a vote, or representation.
If the Mayor and Trustees truly represent all residents Bellport Village,
I implore them to stop, step back, and reexamine the Golf Master Plan.
Hold open town meetings, create a commission representing a cross section
of the Village residents and allocate funds that represent the needs of
all.
Let’s work together to create a true Bellport Country Club Master Plan and
ensure that all residents are represented.
This country is suffering from political divisiveness. Let’s be proud of a
Bellport that is inclusive, not exclusive.
Louise T. McGuinness
Bellport Village
February 17, 2019
Editor's Note: This letter is in reference to our recent editorial.
Prospective Golf Course
Attached you will find a perspective that has been constructed over an actual photo taken from my property looking towards the DRIVING RANGE, as THEY very carefully never refer by its name. The net depicted is a 40' net, I decided to portray the lowest net possible, since even at 40' it is so outrageous it certainly did not need any extreme height. (some driving ranges go up to 60-70) The second one will give you an idea of what they are talking about.; it will take couple of readings of the Master plan to envision it, as they have worded is such a condescending way as if we are somehow stupid. LOL
As you can see it is simply a monstrosity that will absolutely destroy the
character of our Village.
The delicate balance of historical and nature that attracted me to
Bellport is under attack by an irresponsible Mayor and trustees that in my
view should be out of a job.
That us educated and reasonable human beings are put in a position that we
need to fight our own government over building a driving range 120 feet
away from homes, in a historical village abutting an incredible sensitive
ecosystem of wetlands where wildlife and inhabits along with plants of all
kinds.....sincerely leaves me dumbfounded.
I have read the Master Plan, the way that it has been carefully worded as
to appear to be sensitive and considerate.
It is again an insult to anyone that completed 8th grade.
We have named it:
FELL'S WALL
An excerpt from the master plan....read it for yourself.
"All of the recommendations are made with respect to the existing site
conditions and the traditional design style to ensure that renovated or
additional features blend compatibly with the golf course and compliment
the overall setting."
We need to kill this!
Carlos Aparicio
Bellport, NY
February 17, 2019
Editor's Note: This letter is in reference to our recent editorial.
Bellport Country Club at Risk
I draw your attention to the below, which headlines the Bellport Village website.
The idyllic description is apt. It describes
Bellport as it is today, and explains why so many of us have chosen to
make it our home. Bellport is quiet, low-key, friendly, and just lovely.
The serenity of our community is now under threat. The surreptitious plan,
which Bellport.com unveiled, puts a proposed driving range, with attendant
40 foot nets, adjacent to the wetlands on the eastern boundary of the
Country Club. This plan, if executed, will irrevocably change the tone of
our historic Country Club, and the Village that harbors it.
The Bellport course was designed by legendary golf architect Seth Raynor,
and is touted on the village website as one of the oldest and most
beautiful courses in the country. Adding a driving range to this majestic
landscape is akin to building a Superdome in the Grand Canyon.
Unthinkable.
Board members have stated that down-the-road revenue from the Country Club
may eventually repay the debt to the Village. But it’s we, the taxpayers,
who would be fronting the money and assuming all the risks and
liabilities. The Board acknowledges that, at best, their scheme may break
even. Who in their right mind would invest in a such a weak business plan?
Bellport has pressing issues: the foundering docks, the drowning Pavilion
at Ho Hum, road repairs, and general maintenance. With our tax dollars at
stake, let’s get our priorities straight and make sensible investment
decisions.
It has been said that golf is a good walk spoiled. What this plan proposes
is a golf course and a village spoiled.
Jennifer Vorbach
Bellport Village
February 6, 2019
Editor's Note: This letter is in reference to our recent editorial.
Golf Course
I met you a few summers ago with Harriet and Stuart
Levine, I have been building my home at 20 South Howells Point Road for
several years.
The situation with this driving range, is simply a nightmare. As a Harvard
trained architect, I am shocked that this insensitive, outrageous idea has
gained any kind of hold in our village.
The way this Mayor and his group have gone about this project in the most of
clandestine of ways leave not only speechless , but incredibly angry.
The impact that this low class, transient, short sighted development that
completely ignores the aesthetics ( the 19th century sensibility) , property
values, and quality of life for us residents that will be directly abutting
this crap, is too large to even begin to comprehend.
We are getting ourselves organized as residents of South Howells Point Road
and the many friend that are simply outraged at this monstrosity.
I wanted to thank you for writing the piece from the bottom of my heart. I
am presently working on a perspective of what this RANGE will look like.
Insulting us (the Mayor) by changing the name from a driving range to
practice area (for it to go unnoticed) is a disgusting move.
All resident of this village that love Bellport, should scream to the top of
their long We Don’t want this!
A Mayor that is willing to hurt village residents and the village as a whole
this way is hard for me to comprehend.
Again, thank you and we can see all the help we can get….
Carlos Aparicio
Bellport, NY
February 6, 2019
Editor's Note: This letter is in reference to our recent editorial.
Practice Area/Driving Range
When I moved here 28 years ago I didn't have much
time for golf but I would play here occasionally. It was a nice course, in
pretty good condition, and as a resident the price was right. I would go
down as a single in the morning and the starter would join me up with a few
other players and we'd enjoy a few hours of golf together. I didn't know if
they were residents, members or the very rare I would come to find out
"resident member".
I started to play more often over the years and I was noticing the decline
of the courses conditions. The greens that were perfect were becoming beaten
up, fairways bare, bunkers unplayable and yet people were paying a premium
price to play here.
I started referring to the course as an example of the law of diminishing
returns. Members were spending thousands to play there only to see their
money be used to offset the residents taxes. Less money was spent on the
course, conditions suffered, membership declined steeply and it was a
whirlpool of failure. Membership had fallen from over 650 to less than 300
over a twenty year span. I had become a "resident member" as my free time
increased and spent more time on the course. Most of the people I played
with were non-residents and they were appalled at the declining course
conditions. It got so bad that I joined another club that was 15 miles away
and more expensive, but I'd rather do that than play here. It was a dump.
I stayed away for five years but then three years ago I returned to find the
course in fabulous condition. I had played here over that time but it took a
while for the course to respond to the care and attention given it by the
new maintenance crew that was hired. I rejoined as did many of the member
friends that had left over the years.
Your op-ed seems a bit misleading. I've attended the golf commission
meetings and there are no lights mentioned for the range, not to mention
"tall" night lighting. There would be no increase in traffic, as only
members, guests and residents would be allowed to use the range. Traffic
light? Decrease in property values? They have increased dramatically the
last few years so any decrease would probably be normal economics.
You refer to when the course was created as a reference to membership and
use. It was built in 1890 something and it was probably used by the wealthy
homeowners at the time. Over the last 125 years it has morphed into today's
semi-private club.
I don't understand the position on non-resident members. It seems that the
course has always had a majority of those members, that's what makes the
course survive. If you want a golf course then you need members who will pay
double the membership fee of what a resident pays. They all do that as well
as spend money in the restaurants and other village establishments. The
course wouldn't be affordable without them.
Most golf courses I've played at have driving ranges/practice areas and
adding that to the BCC would greatly benefit the membership. The membership
was surveyed if they wanted a range and how they would pay for it, they will
be paying for the range with an increase in dues to cover the cost. There
was no Electoral College and the majority vote wanted it and may get it...
Mike Mislin
Bellport, NY
February 6, 2019
Running for Library Board
I’m running for the South Country Library Board of
Trustees! For nearly 5 years I worked at South Country Library. I started as
a page, moved up to clerk, and then began running the Outreach Program
delivering books to our homebound residents. My time as an employee taught
me the power that libraries give to communities. I am running for the Board
of Trustees position to ensure South Country Library maintains it’s positive
impact for the people of our community, and to advance it onto new horizons.
I hope to have your support on Tuesday, April 2nd!
Jack Nix
East Patchogue,