Community Corner

Week in Review: CMEE Launches $2 Million Campaign

Also: Southampton Town repeals 'Bias Free Zone' legislation.

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Taylor K. Vecsey, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge


1. Town Settles with Marriage Equality Act Protestors; 'Bias Free Zone' Repealed

Southampton Town is getting rid of its "Bias Free Zone" at Town Hall because the area actually caused more harm than good, according to those who successfully sued the town after trying to protest Marriage Equality Act in 2011.

"It's just an example of small government encroaching on the constitutional rights of citizens," said James Boyd, an East Hampton resident and deacon in the Southampton Full Gospel Church who was among the protestors on the first day same sex couples could wed.

2. Bicycle Lane Improvements From Southampton to Montauk Coming

The state is planning bicycle lane improvements on several East End roads, including in the Town of Southampton.

New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., I-Sag Harbor, said on Monday that improvements to bicycle routes in his jurisdiction include a 62-mile stretch of Route 27, which is Montauk Highway, from County Road 39 in Southampton to Montauk Point and 28.2 miles of Route 114 from Route 27 in East Hampton to the ferry on North Haven and then through Shelter Island. Both sides of those roads, where there are shoulders, are included in the project. 

3. On Rocket Day, CMEE Launches $2 Million Fundraising Effort

The Children's Museum of the East End in Bridgehampton launched its $2 million capital campaign during Rocket Day at the museum on Saturday. 

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Stephen Long, the museum director, dressed in a NASA Flight Suit for the occasion, and children and their families built stomp rockets, which were then launched.  Guests received shirts with the slogan, “I Helped Launch CMEE Into the Future,” which they decorated with rocket and space-themed stamps.

4. Long Island GLBT Network Receives $100K Grant for Hamptons GLBT Center

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A grant will enable the Hamptons GLBT Center, which opened with temporary digs at the Old Whalers Church in Sag Harbor over the summer, to begin full-time programing at the center and throughout the East End. 

The Long Island Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Networkwas awarded a $100,000 grant from The Calamus Foundation, the network announced on Tuesday. Its organization, Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth, known as LIGALY,opened the center in August, as the only place of its kind of the East End.

5. Fire Department Launches Stop Texting and Driving Bumper Sticker Campaign

The Southampton Fire Department wants drivers to put down their phones, heed the law, and stop texting while behind the wheel. 

Chief Dennis Roy said his department is launching a bumper sticker campaign with a message to motorists: "Your friends at the Southampton Fire Department want you to stop texting while driving." 

"I go to a lot of accidents and it's obvious what people were doing," Roy said. 

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