Dan's Papers - March 13, 2009 -

Just a note to thank Marion Wolberg Weiss for her kind words in regards my print "Distant Echoes" in the current exhibition at the Pamela Williams Gallery in Amagansett. Nevertheless, I must confess that upon reading the article, I found her conjecture on the meaning of the work a bit disconcerting when she postulated that its title might be a reference to "the artist's fading memory." I found this analysis extremely unsettling at the time although now, for some reason, I can't remember why.

I'll let her know, if I remember. - S.G.

I have been a reader of Dan's Papers for years. I will be 73 years old in August. Every issue is a delight. We look forward to the paper as a connection with the Hamptons - a trip there is a trip to creativity for the soul. A small piece of earth where you know this land is special. These people are different. People who do go there leave with a happy feeling because they say, "I've been to the Hamptons!"

I've seen so many wonderful magazine covers. But the best fun was, April 17, 1998 cover painting by Maya Rattiner. This was quite a risk. But it could have been in any museum. I also photograph, just another hobby. But I came to think we all have a refrigerator and magnet attached to something there. We can all have our own art gallery, so I say "Refrigerator Art" without leaving home. Family fun. Your own gallery.

Beauty is indeed in the mind of the beholder. - S.G.

There is still more to "A New Senator, for All New Yorkers" (Susan M. Galardi, Rhyme Nor Reason, February 27) concerning Senator Kristen Gillibrand. Democrats took democracy out of the election process by Gov. David Paterson selecting Kirsten Gillibrand to replace former Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Gillibrand is a moderate Democrat in the tradition of the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan and upstate Congress member Samuel S. Stratton. She appeals across the political spectrum to independents and Republicans. Ideologically pure New York City/Long Island liberal Democrats are intolerant of divergent viewpoints. They have no understanding of life north of the Tappan Zee Bridge. These Democrats have already begun searching for a candidate such as Congress member Carolyn McCarthy or Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer to challenge Gillibrand in the 2010 Democratic primary.

Real reform for the process would include amending the state Constitution and passing legislation letting the governor call for a special election within 90 days when vacancies occur for senator, comptroller or attorney general, just as he can when a seat in Congress or the Legislature becomes vacant. Republican State Senator Joseph Griffo and GOP Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco have introduced such legislation. Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority leader Malcolm Smith should permit their bill out of committee so each full chamber for passage may vote it upon.

Newspapers such as Dan's Papers and television stations can hold debates between the candidates. This will allow the voters rather than career politicians in the Legislature to select one of their own as a replacement.

I hope Dan's Papers will add its considerable weight and publicly support this measure.

Chalk one up for Freedom of Speech. - S.G.

I was just paging through your February 13 issue of Dan's Papers when I came upon a letter from Dr. Carmine F. Vasile concerning our drinking water. I am a physician and have been practicing in Suffolk County for 34 years. I know or have heard of almost all the physicians in our area. Dr. Vasile is not one of them, so I Googled him and found that he is not a physician, but an electrophysicist and an entrepreneur. He markets or has tried to market energy recovery systems. He has no credentials to comment on health issues, particularly water safety, on Long Island.

Everyone is entitled to his own opinions, but without appropriate credentials, "Dr." Vasile has no business making public statements about our drinking water. I wonder if he has some new scheme to market a water purification system?