“ The very last thing Riverhead needs is a drag track ”

For the publisher:
Here is the body of an email I submitted to the Town of Riverhead Board of Directors on May 1st. In light of the recent approval of a drag racing event June 19-20, I’d like to share it with everyone:
Dear honorable members of the municipal council:
I was surprised to learn that the City is considering proposals to allow drag racing at EPCAL, as this issue has been addressed at Riverhead on numerous occasions. The very last thing Riverhead needs is a dredge track. The negative effects of a drag trail include noise pollution, air pollution, traffic congestion, and historically unruly and destructive crowds.
In Calverton, we are already suffering from the noise of low-flying planes en route to East Hampton from New York. This noise is a constant factor from Thursday to Tuesday every week from April to October, seven months of the year. Add to that the weekend noise of the Riverhead Raceway, which can be heard for miles. Isn’t there enough noise? It is important to note that the promoters of such proposals do not live near the sites.
Additionally, it is a fact that driving a vehicle results in four major pollutants: carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and particulates, which collectively contribute to respiratory illnesses, life-threatening cancers and deaths. premature. And let’s not forget about climate change. Additionally, these effects are even greater in areas close to major freeways (think Long Island Freeway). Why would we want to threaten our own health and our lives and those of our children and contribute to the destruction of our environment?
We live in a rural area. When it suits them, everyone wants to “preserve the rural character” of the East End. We have few roads, all of which are already congested and overcrowded for more than half of the year, so much so that local residents avoid all exits except the must-sees on weekends. This proposal and the resulting assaults, both human and vehicular, would only exacerbate the problem.
I strongly oppose this proposal and urge the city council to encourage places and events that do not create such a heavy impact on our lives.
Respectfully,
Donna Barnard
Hollow baiting
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