Montauk Pioneer - August 29, 2008

Part of the ritual of living in Montauk or visiting Montauk are those informal signs on the hill descending into town on Route 27, located near the Kirk Beach parking lot.

They tell of pancake events at the firehouse, or of the many shark tournaments, or festivals going on in Montauk. Mostly they say you are entering small town America.

In fact, years ago someone at the end of the season painted a lights switch sign with the caption, "Last one out turn off the lights."

The wonderful Chamber of Commerce of Montauk regulates the signs.

But lately however, somebody made a complaint to the state up in Albany about the fact that only non-profits are supposed to be able to advertise in such a manner on a state highways. Also, you are only allowed to do this with a permit. Well, as you know with things like this, the fellas up in Albany weren't on their toes and let things slide.

In fact, there was even an anti-Surf Lodge sign that went up and down briefly, as well as my favorite, the hot dog eating contest one, (which I know I could win but looking like I do at the moment that's no accomplishment). The New York State Department of Transportation has rules and regulations for such signs. Calling them "banner permits," the state usually only issues them to community or charitable organizations to publicize up coming events.

Now it's true I am old enough to remember when Napeague stretch was just a collection of poorly maintained signs, as were most of the highways in America until Lady Bird Johnson, a former first lady (to those born after 1970,) started a "Beautify America," program that had the U.S. Congress regulate the removal of almost all signs not regulated.

An official of the State Department of Transportation stated the Montauk signs make clutter and distractions to those driving on the highway but I argue by saying Montauk and tourists need those signs.

Why would anybody complain about these signs that do the community so much good?

The un-Hampton, Montauk is being fitted for a slow change into perhaps civilization, or worse.

Is a reminder of the next Pub Quiz a crime? Is it a crime to announce which marina will be going shark crazy this weekend? Is it a crime to know about the Hot Dog eating contest? Hello Albany, leave Montauk be. You should be figuring ways to help the commercial fishing industry, deal with the fishing limits that are hurting so many who are working and living in Montauk.

The Department of Transportation should have been investigating the zoning practices of oil companies that had us all paying 30-40 cents a gallon or more for gas over the last few years.

Maybe Montauk will truly become "the end" not of Long island, but of a way of life. Even the Town of East Hampton itself did not try to change with its own existing laws. Somehow I am sure the Montauk Chamber of Commerce will use its skill of dialogue to find the right wiggle room to preserve the tradition of those signs.

After all, it takes only a change of the opinion of the decision maker to change the decision. Otherwise, who will remember when the next Pub Quiz will actually be?

The State is already considering issuing two week permits. That's a start in the right direction, but quite frankly it's all a little over the top.

It doesn't get more pointless than disturbing something that is handled completely appropriately.

Next will be the yard sale regulations revisited for enforcement. As one old timer always used to say, "As they think they get smarter they just make dumber laws."