Montauk Pioneer - August 8, 2008

These are mine. Who am I? I am a business owner, artist, taxpayer, and an individual with a discerning eye. Truly, this editorial is meant to be an open-minded observance, not an attack on Surf Lodge or any commerce that takes place in this town. That is not my right. Plainly this is about what my eyes see and what my intellect tells me is unfitting.

Last night as I was leaving Montauk Library, I breathed a sigh of relief. I realized as I turned down Industrial Road that Surf Lodge was closed for the evening. Once again a magnificent view of the lake was revealed to me. It glittered as the moon shone on its serene waters. It is a view that I have not been able to witness all summer. The mega-cluster of cars that usually surrounds the immediate area of Surf Lodge was gone. At least it was on this particular night. The usual site, most days and nights, does not work well visually within the fabric of Montauk's beauty. Visually, where there was once beauty, the view is nothing but a total washout. The inside of Surf Lodge is a pleasure to behold, and I have enjoyed it, but the outside throng of cars is unbearable.

There exists a balance between man and nature. Nature needs do nothing in this balance. It is we, as inhabitants of the land, who must make the effort to sustain this balance. Unfortunately, this is where Surf Lodge has dropped the proverbial ball. The mess of vehicles that lines Edgemere and Industrial Rd. begins at the early hour of 4 p.m., lasting until the wee hours of the morning. This presents two horrific issues. Cars passing by this lineup must move to the left of their own lane to avoid people walking and bicycling to town. At this hour of the day, there are many inexperienced bicyclists, tourists, and small children passing by. As an experienced bicycle rider, I have found it hard to pass this cluster safely. Walkers and bicyclists are forced into a situation that needs an immediate solution. They should not have to be put in harms way as they pass Surf Lodge. This is a bad accident waiting to happen. Surf Lodge's parking situation has become an erupted pimple on the face of Montauk. Surely the town did not anticipate the volume of cars; nevertheless, something must be done. Secondly, Industrial Road is an extremely delicate strip. It seats itself between two bodies of water that are fished on a daily basis. Large SUVs put pressure on this precious strip of land. The many cars and accumulated litter do not belong along this strip. There is always the possibility of oil leaking into these clean bodies of water. These are deep issues that should not be ignored.

Obviously, Surf Lodge has done its homework when it comes to financial gain. Kudos to their hardworking endeavor! Unfortunately, this does NOT relieve them from the responsibility that walks hand in hand with their success. Surf Lodge has chosen to do business in this magnificent town. They must learn to fit into the community that they have chosen to do their business in. A hot spot such as this needs organization and adequate parking. This is Surf Lodge's responsibility. Answers must be found.

I think everyone will agree with me when I say, Montauk is not just another town. It is an entity in itself; a remarkable entity at that, one that relies solely on the whim of Mother Nature. We, who live here, live not on solid ground, but on a whispering slice of peninsula sand. This unusual setting must be respected to the fullest in order to retain its ongoing beauty. Mindfulness is the cornerstone to preservation. Commerce and free enterprise certainly have its rightful place in any community. In this case, closer attention and deep consideration should be applied. We should never have the ego or pretension to assume we have the right to usurp the forces of nature. Our small spot on Long Island's map is a gentle gift that we have been given and in turn we must give it the appreciation it deserves.