<description>In March, Sag Harbor Mayor Tom Gardella found himself in hot water after leaving a transphobic comment on a video posted by an Instagram user in Texas with more than 22,000 followers. The post gained traction and became the focus of numerous news stories far beyond the South Fork.

Though he apologized for the incident, more reports of concerning social media behavior soon surfaced, including from members of the Sag Harbor community. In response, the Village Board retained labor attorney Vince Toomey to investigate Gardella’s behavior.

Presented at a Village Board meeting on April 14, Toomey’s report concluded that Gardella had violated both the social media policy and anti-harassment policy. Separately, Gardella was also called out for budgetary missteps, including assigning indiscriminate raises to staff and shifting accountability for his budget fi lings onto administrative staff. At the meeting, all four of Gardella’s fellow board members formally requested his resignation. But Gardella was defiant and refused to step down. 

This week, the editors are joined by news reporter Cailin Riley to talk about the posts, the heated meeting and what might come next in this story.</description>

In March, Sag Harbor Mayor Tom Gardella found him…

In March, Sag Harbor Mayor Tom Gardella found himself in hot water after leaving a transphobic comment on a video posted by an Instagram user in Texas with more than 22,000 followers. The post gained traction and became the focus of numerous news stories far beyond the South Fork.

Though he apologized for the incident, more reports of concerning social media behavior soon surfaced, including from members of the Sag Harbor community. In response, the Village Board retained labor attorney Vince Toomey to investigate Gardella’s behavior.

Presented at a Village Board meeting on April 14, Toomey’s report concluded that Gardella had violated both the social media policy and anti-harassment policy. Separately, Gardella was also called out for budgetary missteps, including assigning indiscriminate raises to staff and shifting accountability for his budget fi lings onto administrative staff. At the meeting, all four of Gardella’s fellow board members formally requested his resignation. But Gardella was defiant and refused to step down. 

This week, the editors are joined by news reporter Cailin Riley to talk about the posts, the heated meeting and what might come next in this story.

SAG HARBOR SOCIAL MEDIA SHOWDOWN: The Mayor Digs in After a Scandal

<description>Ice and Accountability: East End Municipalities Weigh OLA Proposal

Organizacíon Latino Americana (OLA) of Eastern Long Island recently proposed a law that seeks accountability and transparency regarding federal immigration action. It was first introduced for consideration by OLA and director Minerva Perez in February to East End municipalities that have their own police departments. 

Written so that towns and villages can adapt it to suit their needs, the proposed law was drafted by former State Assemblyman (and current OLA board member) Fred Thiele. It encourages the establishment of protocols for local law enforcement in their interaction with federal agents as well as requirements for reporting ICE activity. 

In the two months since introducing the proposed law, South Fork municipalities have made varying degrees of progress on it. This week, the editors are joined by news reporters Jack Motz and Dan Stark to talk about which municipalities have moved forward in considering the law and which have raised questions as they seek to learn more about it.

</description>

Ice and Accountability: East End Municipalities W…

Ice and Accountability: East End Municipalities Weigh OLA Proposal

Organizacíon Latino Americana (OLA) of Eastern Long Island recently proposed a law that seeks accountability and transparency regarding federal immigration action. It was first introduced for consideration by OLA and director Minerva Perez in February to East End municipalities that have their own police departments. 

Written so that towns and villages can adapt it to suit their needs, the proposed law was drafted by former State Assemblyman (and current OLA board member) Fred Thiele. It encourages the establishment of protocols for local law enforcement in their interaction with federal agents as well as requirements for reporting ICE activity. 

In the two months since introducing the proposed law, South Fork municipalities have made varying degrees of progress on it. This week, the editors are joined by news reporters Jack Motz and Dan Stark to talk about which municipalities have moved forward in considering the law and which have raised questions as they seek to learn more about it.



Ice and Accountability: East End Municipalities Weigh OLA Proposal

<description>Last week, Long Island Rail Road crews began installing new track sidings at the Southampton Village station, which local officials celebrated as a step toward improving limited train service on the South Fork. 

When completed, the project will accommodate the longer trains that LIRR runs in the summer months. While the MTA has not yet announced any plans for new scheduling, the hope is that additional sidings will allow for more frequent train service, not just for seasonal visitors but also for drivers who are currently stuck in highway traffic on their way to and from work.

This week, the editors talk about the sidings project and how it might improve options for year-round commuters. They also float a bold idea that takes a page straight from New York City’s congestion pricing program.</description>

Last week, Long Island Rail Road crews began inst…

Last week, Long Island Rail Road crews began installing new track sidings at the Southampton Village station, which local officials celebrated as a step toward improving limited train service on the South Fork. 

When completed, the project will accommodate the longer trains that LIRR runs in the summer months. While the MTA has not yet announced any plans for new scheduling, the hope is that additional sidings will allow for more frequent train service, not just for seasonal visitors but also for drivers who are currently stuck in highway traffic on their way to and from work.

This week, the editors talk about the sidings project and how it might improve options for year-round commuters. They also float a bold idea that takes a page straight from New York City’s congestion pricing program.

From Traffic to Trains: A South Fork Shift?

<description>Mark Parash and Anthony Meras, whose parents owned Sip’n Soda in Southampton and
Star Confectionery in Riverhead, respectively, have known each other since they were kids. 
Recently, Parash and Meras teamed up to revive a family tradition by making chocolate Easter bunnies using the same nearly 100-year-old metal molds that their relatives worked with decades ago.

The chocolate bunnies (and baskets) are now being sold at Sip’n Soda for the first time since 1986, just in time for Easter. This week, the editors are joined by Parash and Meras who share insight into the tradition, the trial and error that goes into making the bunnies and the coveted German-produced chocolate molds which their late parents guarded jealously.
</description>

Mark Parash and Anthony Meras, whose parents owne…

Mark Parash and Anthony Meras, whose parents owned Sip’n Soda in Southampton and
Star Confectionery in Riverhead, respectively, have known each other since they were kids. 
Recently, Parash and Meras teamed up to revive a family tradition by making chocolate Easter bunnies using the same nearly 100-year-old metal molds that their relatives worked with decades ago.

The chocolate bunnies (and baskets) are now being sold at Sip’n Soda for the first time since 1986, just in time for Easter. This week, the editors are joined by Parash and Meras who share insight into the tradition, the trial and error that goes into making the bunnies and the coveted German-produced chocolate molds which their late parents guarded jealously.


The Bunnies Are Back: Two Friends Revive a Sweet East End Tradition

<description>This is the time of year when changes are afoot on the East End as new businesses open, old ones close and still others look to relocate. This year is no different, but already it seems as if more changes than usual are coming to Sag Harbor’s business district in the months ahead. 

From “Miracle,” a new restaurant expected to open at 29 Main Street in early May, to GeekHampton, the Hamptons only authorized Apple service center, opting to leave its longtime headquarters on Bay Street for a new location in Hamptons Bays, the times, they are indeed a changing.

This week, the editors are joined by news reporter Cailin Riley who takes a tour of all the openings, closings and changes of venue that she knows about to date. But of course, there are likely to be more that come to light in the weeks and months ahead. So stay tuned!</description>

This is the time of year when changes are afoot o…

This is the time of year when changes are afoot on the East End as new businesses open, old ones close and still others look to relocate. This year is no different, but already it seems as if more changes than usual are coming to Sag Harbor’s business district in the months ahead. 

From “Miracle,” a new restaurant expected to open at 29 Main Street in early May, to GeekHampton, the Hamptons only authorized Apple service center, opting to leave its longtime headquarters on Bay Street for a new location in Hamptons Bays, the times, they are indeed a changing.

This week, the editors are joined by news reporter Cailin Riley who takes a tour of all the openings, closings and changes of venue that she knows about to date. But of course, there are likely to be more that come to light in the weeks and months ahead. So stay tuned!

Moving On: The Annual Spring Shuffle

The editors of The Express News Group talk about what's news on the East End.

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