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photo by Ann Chwatsky
Sag Harbor Express Editorial, April 10, 2008: Taking the Long View
As a village, we in Sag Harbor are fortunate to be home to a number of civic and social organizations that rally, sometimes rabidly, around chose causes, ideally serving our community as educational and communal resources for our very active residents.
Sometimes they are successful in this common endeavor. Sometimes they are not.
True success, we think, is found when these organizations provide real, substantive dialogue that informs the public in order to further our community – not misinforms in a show of zealotry.
Since its creation, we have watched with curiosity what the folks at Save Sag Harbor would do with their enormous popularity and financial support. The not-for-profit's membership is in the thousands, nearing numbers reached by established not-for-profits on the East End who have been around for over a decade.
But membership numbers and resolutions do not equal action, which is why over the course of the last three months we have been more than pleased with how Save Sag Harbor has evolved into a community organization with some real teeth.
Save Sag Harbor has put its money where its mouth is, unveiling a planning compendium meant to educate the public and complement the village's own zoning code revision. It came out in support of the restoration of the former Bulova Watchcase Factory – a decision we understand was not easy, nor popular in some factions of the community – after measured thought and debate on its own mission in the village.
Perhaps the most exciting development is the announcement of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street Program forum at the close of this month. This is a creative, worthwhile concept to stimulate dialogue about an issue everyone in Sag Harbor seems willing to get behind – preventing our village from being swallowed whole in the name of national brand development and preserving the historic character of this special place.
More important, and laudable, is the way Save Sag Harbor has chosen to chart its course with a deliberate goal of creating dialogue and seeking what is possible, without heavy handed mandates and decrees. We hope they continue this philosophy as the organization continues its evolution.
Save Sag Harbor seems to be taking the long view in its decision making process – a view not easily taken when trying to tackle emotional and difficult issues. We commend its board for their leadership. Whether or not we actually save Sag Harbor, we are at least pleased to have Save Sag Harbor in it.
The Sag Harbor Express Said It Best! Please attend the next meeting on February 13th at 5PM:
Posted on 23 January 2009
The new village zoning code might be one of the most important pieces of legislation ever to pass through our village hall. It has the capability to determine the future of our village - what it will look like, who it will cater to and how it will evolve. Because of the code's importance, we encourage community members of every creed to attend the January 29 public hearings.
One of the reasons our village is so beloved is because it still serves its many different residents. It caters to the second home clan who seek refuge from Manhattan on our Main Street. It serves the active close-knit local community as well through our series of 'mom and pop' shops, where you are bound to run into at least one person you know. This is a delicate balance, to serve members of a community that is populated by people who come from all walks of life.
The one thing we do share, though, is that we all have a vested interest in what happens to this village that we call home.
These hearings were established for the whole community. We are glad to see those dedicated people who continue to attend these hearings, but wish that a more varied sample of the village was present. We want to hear from the middle class residents who feel priced out of our Main Street or from the business owners who are confused by the code or still on the fence about it. The hearing is your time to inform yourself of the code and have your voice heard.
So, on Thursday, January 29, at 5 p.m., we hope to find you at in the Municipal Building ready to listen, learn, and share.
