Hamptons Happenings

In Feature Story

Spill the Tea with Allura and Skyler Johnson, Candidate for State Senate

June 18, 2020 In Feature Story 2 Mins Read

Hamptons Mouthpiece; Spill the Tea – Allura Leggard speaks with New York State Senate candidate, Skyle r Johnson to discuss the upcoming election.

Johnson ‘Spills the Tea’ on his plans for healthcare; the environment; education; Police Reform and that was only a fraction of the Bold Plans he has for the future.

Unlike many of the other candidates who have other full-time jobs, Johnson tells us that his full-time job is being a student, continuing to learn more about how he can bring about change and focus on the many issues that concern Americans in the 1st district.

19-year-old Johnson is this year’s youngest candidate running for State Senate.

Johnson expressed that his use of social media and his command for the facts is important to discuss issues that many people in Suffolk County are concerned about.

Johnson is one of five Democratic candidates running this year for Senator Kenneth LaValle’s NY State Senate seat in the First District in Suffolk County. Senator LaValle has held this position for 43 years and decided he will not be running for reelection this year.

Johnson says, one of his most important issues for his campaign is providing everyone in the state with free and quality healthcare. Johnson says this can be achieved by “rebuilding our healthcare system by passing the NYHA, New York Health Act-Including: free testing, treatment, and telemedicine for everyone.”

You can read more about Johnson’s Bold Plans for a Bright Future on his website. https://skylerforsenate.com

Election day is June 23; (Voting polls).
After June 16th, voters may apply in person (over-the-counter) through June 22nd or by Early Voting from June 13-21. Primary Elections POLLS OPEN AT 6 AM – CLOSE AT 9 PM

Register to Vote or update your voter information online: Click here:

In Community News

Has The Awakening Begun?

June 4, 2020 In Community News 3 Mins Read

Hamptons Mouthpiece: Has the Awakening Begun? A peaceful protest in Bridgehampton, NY for racial equality.

On Tuesday, June 2nd organizers Lisa Votino, Lisa Calabrese and Willie Jenkins held a peaceful protest on Main street in Bridgehampton for Justice for George Floyd a black man who was allegedly murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin who kneeled on Mr. Floyd’s neck and ignored his cries for help “I can’t Breathe”.

We stood in solidarity with our brothers and sisters all over the country who are demanding an end to racist policing.

We also remembered two other recent victims of deadly racism Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and the sadly, all too long list of other victims.

I was heartened to see so many young people who not only came to lend their support in this fight against racism towards Black and Brown people but they took the time to make posters.

There comes a time when silence is Betrayal

I am feeling hopeful that with this new army of Allies to the Black Lives Matter movement we can begin to open up the conversation and move forward toward real change in this country regarding systemic racism.

For many that were protesting and marching, they saw the sheer brutality in the action perpetrated against George Floyd and they finally understood the significance behind Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful protest of taking a knee during the playing of the National Anthem. Many finally understood that the goal of the Black Lives Matter movement was never to say that only black lives matter or that black lives matter more than everyone else’s, the goal is to shine light on an issue in this country that you only get to experience if you are black. If you have taken the time to try to acknowledge your privilege and understand the black perspective, these injustices come quickly to light.

In interviewing William Pickens III, a resident of Sag Harbor Hills Community (SANS) Mr. Pickens who ancestry is that of liberated slaves, who were among the first people to come to the New World. They sailed from England and arrived in Oyster Bay in 1670. We spoke with Mr. Pickens and asked him what was different about the murder of George Floyd and what made this protest different than other activities and other protest in the past? Mr. Pickens responded with the “sheer brutality that the officer snuffed out the life of George Floyd”; he went on to say that this protest in Bridgehampton was different because there were more white people than black people protesting, and “If white people don’t speak up nothing is going to change because they dominate the economy, politics and the history. If they are with us we’ve got a a shot and if they are not we don’t”

I end with a quote from Willam Pickens III “Illuminate Love, Eliminate Hate”

In Hamptons Happenings

On The Other Side of Covid19

April 15, 2020 In Hamptons Happenings 3 Mins Read

Hamptons Mouthpiece: On The Other Side of Covid19

Can you see the future? It is daunting. I see a change in some privacy protections regarding Covid19 status. Pre or Post Covid19 infection certifications. A loss of some HIPAA protections in the guise of Public Health prerogatives. Let the lawsuits proceed! What will be the civil liberty concerns as this pandemic changes the social structures of our future. Before going into a restaurant will you have to show your Covid19 certification? When you enter a hospital or go to an Emergency Room, will your Covid19 status dictate which door you enter. As a Black man who understands the ramifications of bias, my experiences extend to the general public: will my Covid19 status determine my access to jobs, travel, opportunity. Will dating apps now reveal the Covid19 status of the prospective date?

I know this seems absurd on the face of it but you would be surprised what fear will do to a society (see the Red Scare period of our country’s history). If and when a vaccine is developed, will the anti-vaccine crowd be denied access to public schools upon refusing to use it. Will you be able to refuse the vaccine based on religious grounds? There are public health laws that allow the incarceration of individuals that pose a threat to the general public, will this happen here if an individual is presenting symptoms but refuses to self-isolate? Get used to proximity tracking of your travel in cities based on your Covid19 status. Our days of innocence are over. We will not be able to look down on the political decisions of the leadership of China in their authoritarian way of governance to control their populace. Can that happen here? And be cautious America, be on guard for the hardline, authoritarian political leaders who will want to control many aspects of your life based on your Covid19 status. Any excuse for power-grabbing is fair game in the post Covid-19 age.

Will Covid19ism become the new racism? Or will all this fade as we get accustomed to this new reality. Our norms will change, are changing already.

Handshakes are a thing of the past, doorknobs will disappear (who wants to touch those anymore?). We will wash our hands more as a result which is a good thing and anyone entering our homes will be expected to wash their hands immediately (I suspect there will be a decrease in seasonal Influenza). We have to be alert to the possible erosions to our privacy and freedoms. I am all for testing , but please maintain my privacy. I know that a balance will have to be found to protect my individual privacy and the protection of the public and my neighbors. I just want to give you some food for thought.

We continue to pray for your safe travels!

We can do this !!!

Together

In School News

Sag Harbor Prepares For New Changes in the School District

May 20, 2019 In School News 1 Min Read

Sag Harbor’s academic rigor is well respected in the country, Hamptons Mouthpiece contributor Allura Leggard discusses the IB (The International Baccalaureate) and the advantages and disadvantages of starting school at a later time and ending school later. Superintendent Katy Graves will be retiring in January 2020 after 6 years and Allura discusses with Ms. Tice what the process is to find someone new to fill that role.

Ms. Tice is the only current board member that has been through the process before. All of the current board members and candidates have never been involved with the search for a new Superintendent, her experience will be a benefit to this strenuous process.

In Hamptons Happenings

LOVE BITES..Benifiting Katy’s Courage

January 25, 2019 In Hamptons Happenings 1 Min Read

It’s that time of the year for the Annual Love Bites Event Benifiting Katy’s Courage that supports Katy’s Kids @ CMEE Center for Grieving Children and Adolescents In honor of Katy Stewart. Over 20 Caterers/Restaurants participate in this evening of delicious food, fun cocktails, awesome people and great music provided by DJ Michael of East End Entertainment. Tickets are $100 or $150 for two.. click on link to purchase tickets https://katyscourage.org/upcoming/love-bites-2019/

This year Katy’s courage honors the Culinary Community of the Hamptons. Bring your appetite and seek out Hamptons Mouthpiece to have your photo taken, it will be featured on our social Media.

January 26, 2019
The Muses
111 Saint Andrew Road
Southampton, NY 11968
(Snow date February 9)