A big thank-you to all the community members who took part in the Southold Baseball Boosters Club rent-a-team fundraiser. It was a huge success, and all the funds will support the Southold baseball program. The team and I met many wonderful people. We learned about local history while discussing homeowners’ property histories and shared some memorable baseball stories. One homeowner told us about listening to the Milwaukee Braves as a child; she still can’t believe they moved to Atlanta and took away her favorite player, Hank Aaron.
After 50 wonderful years of making jewelry in our store/workshop, T & J Schlecht Jewelry on Beckwith Avenue, we have hung up our tools and closed our store.We want to thank all our loyal customers over the years and are so grateful for all your support. We hope everyone continues to enjoy their pieces, all handmade by us, just as we enjoyed making them for you all. Thank you.
There are many things that need fixing, but two of them are critical. We need a stronger role for the American people and a reduction in the influence of money in politics. Fixing these two makes fixing the others more possible (easier)When citizens participate more actively — through voting, public forums, community engagement and by communicating regularly with representatives — government becomes more responsive and accountable. Greater civic involvement helps ensure that public policy reflects the broad public interest rather than special interests.
Equally important is the elimination of the current method of campaign financing, which gives disproportionate influence to wealthy donors and special interests. Replacing private funding with a transparent public financing system (which is working in several European countries) would allow candidates to compete based on ideas and qualifications, not fundraising. This encourages a wider range of candidates to run for office and helps restore confidence that elected officials serve the public rather than financial backers.
Together, increased citizen participation and public campaign financing would strengthen democratic legitimacy, improve accountability, and help the federal government function effectively. A healthier democracy depends on a system where voices matter more than dollars and where public service is guided by the needs of the people.
I wanted to congratulate Ambrose Clancy for his award as Writer of the Year from the New York Press Association and Nancy Green for her third-place award for columns.
The success of these two fine journalists and the role of our Shelter Island Reporter in our community highlights the continued importance of print (and online) local newspapers. As we see local newspapers folding in big and little communities, we realize how important vetted news and responsible journalism matters to us citizens.
Thank you for continuing to publish and keep us all informed.
Violent rhetoric starts at the top
Rep. Nick LaLota writes that hyperbolic and dangerous rhetoric prompts assassination attempts on President Trump from claims that he “is an existential threat to democracy, among history’s worst dictators, and assertions that normal constitutional processes are insufficient to stop him.”
Source: The Suffolk Times
