February 26, 2007
To the editor, Southampton Press:
Local elected officials rejected the plan for a formal hiring site for day-laborers at the logical place on North Sea Road, based on restrictions in the Community Preservation law.
After this rejection the plan for the railroad station site was developed.
Mayor Epley now says there are too many problems with this plan and that the original Aldrich Park site just south of the 7-11 now looks a lot better.
Assemblyman Fred Thiele says he wants to help.
So here is a suggestion for the mayor and Mr. Thiele: Do whatever is necessary to change the Community Preservation law to allow, in this special case, the use of land purchased by the fund for the purpose of improving public safety and domestic tranquility (or whatever proper language fits).
We need this. We now face increasing disorder, with groups such as the Minutemen exploiting the situation, using the fear and ignorance of our people to advance their aims.
The proposed hiring center, financed privately, will help increase the wages paid workers, get people off the streets and restore the image of Southampton as a prestigous resort community, rather than a place of hatred and strife.
Anthony Ernst
Southampton
