Dan's Hamptons

Dear Dan,
Everyone in our company enjoyed the piece entitled “Where Was Missy?” which appeared in the November 17 issue of Dan’s Papers. I personally was astounded by your ability to analyze the passions and pains of the various players.
Once the US Navy has cleared away the muck and the much, we expect to have another go at moving The Intrepid. We hope you will join us about our family party tug to witness the festivities and salute this icon of American patriotism.
Sincerely,
Brian A. McAllister
New York City

It went on Tuesday without a hitch. –DR

IN PRAISE OF LOCAL INTELLIGENCE

As an educator, I read with interest your son David’s article about the wonderful education and opportunities that he experienced while attending East Hampton High School.
Even though I attended a Catholic elementary school as a child, I am a firm believer in public school education.
I enjoyed reading David’s book, Away At School and I always look forward to reading his articles.
I am sure that David’s teachers are so proud of him!
Sincerely.
Lillian DeMarco
Via e-mail

Dear Dan,
Well Dan did it again!
In your latest issue, an article about Harriet Gumbs, the Shinnecock Indian, he writes, “I have a photograph of “she and I” (p. 40). Doesn’t’ he have a proofreader to correct these errors?
Please tell her we don’t like he to make these errors. We love him and want him to be perfect.
Howard Purcell
Amagansett
Via e-mail

Perfection eludes me. –DR

IN PRAISE OF LOYALTY

Dear Dan,
Dear David,
A hasty note to you about your truly excellent article “In Praise of East Hampton High School” in the November 24th issue.
As someone involved in the field of education over the past sixty-nine years, I simply want to congratulate you on your frank and honest personal appraisal of East Hampton High School.
From the prospective of an Alumnus, often times it’s not easy for a writer to pick out ad empathize negative aspects of an institution without portraying its positive, beneficial side –you’ve done through your article, a really fine job of praising East Hampton’s excellent High School and presenting it properly in a positive light.
And, I should say, it’s a very strong, positive stand in you to have taken – most people don’t take the time or trouble to stand up for something they believe in – simply because it’s easier not to.
Your own stand and your loyalty to your old school says a hell of a lot!
Let me say as well that over the years at Boys and Girls Harbor, especially when its camp was up and running in East Hampton, we hired quite a number of really good, effective councilors from the high school, young e ad women who worked effectively and hard to help give New York City inner city youths a positive experience – over time, valuable friendships were formed between East Hampton boys and girls and those coming out from the city.
As an aside I think most thinking adults will agree that negative incidents occur in all schools, public, private and otherwise. Such is the nature of a growing-up segment of populations everywhere.
I most certainly wish you every success in your already blossoming career as a journalist.
Your Pop must be proud of you!
Warmest best wishes.
Tony Duke Sr.
Boys and Girls Harbor
East Hampton and NYC

TRAFFIC CALMING ISSUES

Dear Dan,
I am a twenty-two year old student at Suffolk Community College in Riverhead. Since I live in Southampton, I have to take County Road 39 to get to my classes early in the morning, just when the traffic starts to become heavy. Every day I drive down this road and I see police pulling people over for speeding. I myself have not gotten a ticket, but I do become frustrated with the issue. Last week the speed limit was 30 mph and today when I went to school, the speed limit was 45 mph. I think that it is unjust for them to be pulling people over and giving tickets if the speed limit changes like that without notice, but I see why they do it, so people don’t run people like me off the road.
I also find it really annoying and potentially more hazardous to those of us who choose to drive the speed limit because there are huge trucks that ride the back of my car trying to get me to go faster, and I don’t want to speed because I don’t want to get a ticket, but at the same time, I don’t want to get in an accident because I am going too slow. A few times in the past, the speed limit changes from day to day.
My questions are...when are they going to stop the nonsense if they are ever going to stop and what days should I go 30 mph and what days should I go 45 mph. I know that whether people want to go slow or fast, there are a lot of people who feel the same way.
Melissa Swanetta
Via e-mail

Tue-Thu-Sat= 30 mph and Mon-Wed-Fri=45 mph. Sunday you’re on your own. –DR

Dear Dan,
Earlier this year you had a story in your paper about the “Running of the Deer on Shelter Island”.
Could you please e-mail me and let me know exactly when this event is planned for 2007. I have been unable to find it on the Shelter Island Chamber of Commerce site.
Thank you for your help.
Mike
Via e-mail