What is most disturbing in the Times' coverage of the 'low-key' Hamptons summer is not the insightful reportage that party tents will be devoid of crystal chandeliers. What concerns us is the portrait of the Amagansett share house renters blithely, "not spending any money" this summer, aside from their rented room and food. So, the rental revenue is paid in cash to an owner who possibly shirks taxes on the income (illegal share house?) and little revenue enters the local economy. It's not what we need this summer. Hopefully this couple buys a lot of groceries at the Amagansett IGA and takes the jitney.

Our towns urgently need an influx of cash from summer residents/visitors who will shop, eat out and meticulously landscape all of those hydrangea beds.  While Gucci and Polo may not seem like a 'low-key' shopping expedition, customers are crucial to supporting local jobs. Our local economy is truly in desperate shape. Building has almost stopped (ok, thankfully), leaving hard-working plumbers, carpenters and other tradespeople in need of work. And those jobs just don't exist.

The situation for many immigrant families has become dire. If you were out-of-town this winter you may have missed the unfortunate turmoil that arose when the Sisters of Mercy helped open a soup kitchen at Southampton Tire, across the street from the de facto 7-11 Hiring Hall.  Complaints to Village Code Enforcement temporarily shut down the soup kitchen and resulted in weeks of scrimmages between anti-illegal worker protesters and community members who pointed to humanitarian need.  We know there are hungry families. A $100,000 anonymous donation to the Springs School last month will allow the district to provide food to hungry elementary students who arrive daily with nothing to eat.  We know of families that have returned to Mexico/Central America. And we have heard anecdotally, in an ironic twist, that some are now receiving money from their families in Ecuador.

This winter we have seen the almost-instantaneous impact of trickle down. One less party means that Brent Newsome Caterer cuts cooks and serving staff, Water Mill Party Rental and Pennington Flowers suffer and DePetris Liquor sells less Wölffer rosé.  Trim the schedule of your maid, pool service and landscaper, and once again, the impact is instant. Hopefully a little irrational exuberance and sunny weather will return for the brief summer season.