Dan's Papers - August 8, 2008

Dear Dan,
Unfortunately, public service announcements are not getting the message across. Research from the National Cancer Institute revealed mammography use dropped so sharply in the United States that doctors feared a rise in invasive cancers. This is particularly disturbing for residents in both Nassau and Suffolk County. Once a desired destination for those seeking refuge from urban life, this jutting sandbar we call home has become a liability for all those living on this unique piece of geography. Taking into consideration that one in eight women living on Long Island will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year, our once bucolic landscape has been transformed into a danger zone. Like a rite of passage, this disease marks the true risk of living here. Sadly, having breast cancer or knowing someone who does has become a staple of daily life across the Island. Instead of exchanging recipes, Long Island women now exchange the telephone numbers of oncologists and surgical centers. It should be noted that of the 62 counties in New York State, breast cancer rates are significantly higher in Nassau and Suffolk than the averages for both the state and the nation. Although the New York State Health Department has spent much time and money mapping the incidence of breast cancer across the state, we are no closer to finding a cause for our elevated rates than we were before this investigation began.
As research continues into environmental causes, there is currently a shift in methodology beginning to look at personal lifestyle choices that include smoking and diet to explain why breast cancer rates on Long Island are so high. Most women stricken with this horrible disease believe strongly that the environment, not their personal lifestyle, played a significant role in the development of their disease. Downplaying environmental factors and refocusing on personal lifestyle choices is a dangerously poor substitute to explain Long Island's health concerns.

Could be both equally. - DR

Dear Dan,
Re: Development in the Village of Riverhead
There are resources in the area that have great potential for making the Village of Riverhead a magnet for year- round foot traffic. It already has the Vail-Leavitt Theater. Build on that!
The Suffolk Theater should be developed as a performing arts center, which was planned many years ago. The North Fork Theater Group is looking for a new home. Let's welcome them to Riverhead.
One of New York States finest radio stations, WLIU, is also looking for a new home. We need to make Riverhead an appealing venue for this resource.
When the Suffolk County Community College is ready to build a Theater and/or Concert Hall for their eastern campus the Village of Riverhead should be the most attractive choice.
Talent abounds! Several times a year there should be events in the Village to attract tourists, i.e. subsidize music groups and other entertainers to perform at various local parks and other attractive locations and in restaurants and other indoor settings.
Build on the various other events that occur that involve such valuable institutions as the wonderful East End Arts Council, Cornell Extension and others. Expand the waterfront park and build a band shell for concerts that could accommodate events from the Blues Festival to symphony orchestras obviating the need for the costly use of the mobile band shell. Encourage local business people from in and around Riverhead. Avoid national chains and franchise. Local business people spend locally. National chains etc. send their back to the "Home Office" (where ever that is.)
I'm sure there are many ideas that people have in this region that would be quick, easy and relatively inexpensive to implement and would reap huge rewards. More music festivals like the Blues Festival and the Friday Night Concerts.
This approach could put most, if not all, into place within a year or two.

Riverhead is rising from the ashes. - DR

Dear Dan,
I spoke at last night's meeting against the expansion of deer hunting in the Fresh Pond Park Reserve on behalf of the many Amagansett homeowners in this area near the Fresh Pond Park Reserve
I read the letter prepared by our Broadview Property Owners Association Board (previously known as Bell Estates III) that represents the approximately 55 homeowners in our Association. The letter stated our opposition to the proposed use of shotguns in our area. In addition I presented you with a copy of a petition signed by approximately 40 additional residents who oppose the use of shotguns in the Fresh Pond area.
With all due respect to the subsequent speakers/hunters who approve using shotguns it is not ridiculous to be gravely concerned about the potential of stray shotgun pellets and/or ricochets from it. As was stated, we are very concerned and uniformly against the use of shotguns in our residential area. We have children who are bussed in this area. We have children and adults who constantly utilize the trails in Fresh Pond. We are concerned about those hunters who do not respect the laws and safety rules regarding hunting. Those kinds of hunters do exist just as do drivers who ignore stop signs and red lights.
Bow hunters can be dangerous enough but there are fewer of them and they tend to be experts in the art of bow hunting. They also shoot one arrow at a time. Shotguns and the numerous pellets that are dispensed are in in the hands of many more individuals and unfortunately it only takes one poorly trained or unschooled or lawless person to seriously hurt or kill someone. That someone will be one of our children or one of us parents-who live here on weekdays. New York State believe those of us who live here year round, during the week, are less important and less mortal than weekenders whom they protect by banning shotgun hunting on weekends; simply amazing and unconscionable.)
Who will be libel for an injury or a death that occurs as a result of that first stray shotgun pellet? We implore the East Hampton Town Board to use their common sense and vote against the use of shotguns in the Fresh Pond Park Reserve. We live and play too close to this area, one that does not call for the use of guns of any type.