Packed Southampton Cultural Center About A Proposal To Close Pond Lane To Vehicular Traffic.

New York voters agree across party lines that the biggest problems facing the state are the cost of living, crime, the influx of migrants and the need for affordable housing, according to a poll released today. Michael Gormley reports on Newsday.com that the Siena College Research Institute poll found 83% of voters felt the cost of living in New York is a major problem and only 12% considered it a minor problem. The sentiment was shared equally by Democrats and Republicans, who often diverge greatly in political polls. Next on the list of top major problems were crime, by 73% of voters, the need for affordable housing, 77%, and the recent wave of migrants to the state, 62%, according to the poll. “In assessing the severity of problems facing New York, there is, surprisingly, considerable agreement among Democrats, Republicans and independents,” said Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg. “A huge majority of Republicans, a large majority of independents and a plurality of Democrats all say the quality of life in New York is getting worse … ," Greenberg said. "Only 4% of independents, 5% of Republicans and 22% of Democrats say things in New York are getting better.” The poll questioned 804 New York registered voters from Sept. 10 through Wednesday. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points. ***Southampton Village residents packed the seating area at the Southampton Cultural Center on Pond Lane last Thursday night eager for their first chance to weigh in with their thoughts about a proposal to close Pond Lane to vehicular traffic in order to create an expansive waterfront park and Peter Marino-designed public gardens along Lake Agawam. Cailin Riley reports on 27east.com that for nearly the whole first hour of the meeting, Lake Agawam Conservancy President Bob Giuffra had the floor, giving an updated presentation on the plan, including new renderings from Araiys Design that outline existing conditions along the portion of Pond Lane that borders the lake, and proposed improvements that could be done there to mitigate stormwater runoff if the road is closed to motor vehicles. However, both Thursday night’s presentation and the initial presentation put forth by the conservancy at the last Southampton Village Board work session have not seemed to sway a strong contingent of residents who remain adamantly opposed to the closure of Pond Lane. While there were several residents who spoke in support of the project, the majority who took their turn at the lectern expressed opposition. Many of them said they were not opposed to the creation of the gardens but did not want to see the gardens created at the expense of closing the road. They said Pond Lane was a key thoroughfare not only because of its location in a historic area but also because it is another driving option in Southampton Village, which has been plagued by traffic issues for years.***Montaukett Chief Robert Pharaoh has been chosen as the Grand Marshal of East Hampton Town’s 375th anniversary parade this coming Saturday, Sept. 23, as the town supports the tribe in its quest for recognition by New York State. Beth Young in EAST END BEACON reports that the parade begins at 10 a.m. on Main Street and travels up Newtown Lane to Herrick Park…where at the reviewing stand Hugh King, the town historian, will serve as announcer. The Montaukett Women’s Circle Dancers will perform on the East Hampton Middle School grounds. A wide range of community groups will also participate in Saturday’s parade, and there will be local vendors, food trucks, live music and children’s games and activities. That’s this coming Saturday in East Hampton Village starting at 10am. ***A top LIPA official testified at a hearing yesterday on LIPA's future that PSEG deserved a grade of only a D+ for operating the local electric grid because of laggi