East End Leaders of the Democratic Party Oppose Nassau ICE Agreement
To the Editor:
We, the leaders of the Democratic Party in eastern Suffolk County, are opposed to Nassau County’s new deal with ICE (287(g)). This agreement turns local police into immigration officers, which hurts public safety and our economy. It could also cost taxpayers millions in legal fines. We must prevent this harmful program from coming to Suffolk County or the East End.
Pictured Above: ICE officers often work with other federal agencies, but not often with local agencies. |. Immigration & Customs Enforcement photo
We’ve seen this before—and it’s expensive. Suffolk County is already facing a $60 million fine for working with ICE during Trump’s first presidency. We now know that it is illegal for New York law enforcement to detain someone on behalf of ICE. Sheriff Toulon has warned that taxpayers can’t afford more lawsuits. He’s right.
Times are tough, and we need to use local police resources wisely. Officers should focus on keeping our communities safe, not doing ICE’s job. Federal agents are being taken off serious cases—like child trafficking, drug cartels, and money laundering—just to deport immigrants. We can’t waste our police force on Trump’s cruel, illegal and misguided deportation plans.
If immigrants are afraid to report crimes, criminals will get away with more. Trust between police and our communities will break down, making everyone less safe.
Our economy depends on immigrant workers and business owners. On the East End, they make up over 20% of the workforce and 22% of small business owners. New York’s immigrants pay $3.1 billion in state and local taxes every year. Harsh policies like 287(g) will only hurt our local economy.
Thankfully, Suffolk leaders have promised not to turn police into ICE agents. We urge them to stand firm and reject Nassau’s dangerous example. The best way to protect our communities is to fight back now.
We must keep Suffolk safe, fair, and welcoming for all.
East End Democratic Committees —Southold, Riverhead, East Hampton, Southampton, Shelter Island
Disappointed by Southold GOP Rhetoric
To the Editor:
It was with great excitement that I read your stories about both the Democratic and Republican parties running a full slate of candidates for offices in Southold Town. What a wonderful time in our lives that so many of our friends and neighbors are running for elected office to move our town forward.
I was more than disappointed when I read the article about the Republican slate. Instead of telling us why they are the most qualified candidates they slid into hate rhetoric that mirrors the national GOP talking points. Chairman Ganley is quoted as saying “We’ve seen some alarming demographics changed in this town over the last several years, and because of that we now see a Town Board and a Town Hall that a lot of us do not recognize …” Mr. Sanders is also quoted as saying that the demographics have changed. What are these code words all about? Do “they” have a problem with the first African-American to be elected to the Town Board, or possibly “they” don’t care for the religious affiliation of certain council members. Possibly “they are referring to our newer neighbors who have chosen to call our beautiful area home. Regardless of their motivations their statements regarding demographics are quite offensive.
The article also discusses the need to stop the over development. My response to that is what party has held a majority on the town board for most of the history of Southold Town. If the Republican party has a problem with development throughout the years they only need to look at themselves to lay the blame. Possibly the current make up of the town board is a direct result of the citizens not wanting the rampant development that has taken place under the watch of the GOP.
I am also concerned with the statement from Mr. Damianios. He is proud that the Republicans “took back DC, and now we’re going to take back our backyard.” What exactly is he taking back and from whom will he take it? Is he trying to insinuate that the registered Democrats in this town are evil? That type of rhetoric was used prior to the January 6 insurrection, I would hope that Mr. Damianios is not using some sort of code words.
A final example of statements that resonated with me is attributed to Chris Talbot. He stated that he intends to “run a clean and respectable campaign.” He appears to be saying that campaigns have not been “clean and respectable” in the past. I remember the campaign just four years ago when the GOP sent a disgusting mailer attacking Mr. Doroski and Mr. Mealy, hardly clean and respectable in my opinion. Maybe Mr. Damianios and Mr. Talbot just had a poor choice of words and will be more cognizant of the fact that, if elected, they will be representing all the people of the town.
All candidates need to recognize that the people who make their home in Southold Town want our beautiful town to thrive. Residents who have lived here for generations (Greg Doroski, Al Krupski, and Brian Mealy), for just their own lifetime (Chris Talbot), or who have moved here more recently are all welcome and should not be looked down upon for any reason.
Barbara Murphy Smith
Mattituck
Dangerous Security Breach Must Have Consequences
To the Editor:
The release of an impending military strike on a non-secure online chat is an egregious example of the amateur security team that is currently in charge of our country. This is not a partisan issue. At the very least, our representatives must require a thorough investigation pending the resignation or firing of Hegseth and Waltz.
Each person on the Signal chat must be held accountable. How could no one question who ‘JG’ (Jeffrey Goldberg) was and why he was included?
This ‘good old boys’ chat demonstrating disrespect for our allies and use of childish emogees is unacceptable but perhaps not surprsing when these amateurs were selected for their positions based on their loyalty to their leader and their photogenic appearance! Neither of these are acceptable criteria for holding some of the most important and powerful positions in the world.
Our representatives must stand up and show the world that the United States is a reliable partner where actions have consequences, even when you are a handsome loyalist.
Mary Korpi
Laurel
Letters to the editor may be emailed to editor@eastendbeacon.com or sent via U.S. Post to P.O. Box 665, New Suffolk, NY 11956. Please include your name, and a telephone number for verification purposes, and don’t submit letters under false names. The Beacon will print all letters that are deemed to not be defamatory, obscene or advertisements, and may edit submissions for clarity and grammar.
Keep Independent News on the East End
The Beacon is able to provide all of our content online free of charge thanks to support from our readers. Be a vital part of keeping our community informed!
