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Community Corner

Letter to the Editor: Parking at Rumba Must Be Addressed

Area resident says the parking problem has caused dangerous conditions.

Thank you for giving this issue the coverage it needs. 

The street--already "dicey"--has become own overflow parking lot, since the on-site parking allowed is for seventeen vehicles. states he employs 52 people; where are THEY parking? How many patrons does this size staff serve on an average evening? What is the permitted occupancy as a restaurant and as a bar — since Rumba/Rumbar is both. What does the fire marshall say? Suffolk County Health Department? Numbers, please!

This small spot was never designed for the volume of people that the popular business attracts. If Mr. Hersh conformed to was was allowed, would he be able to thrive? How has he become the exception?

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One night I counted 29 cars parked (many over the white line on the narrow winding shoulder) from Fanning Avenue to Argonne Road; several more were on the east side and even more vehicles jammed down the dead end road of Argonne, the town's boat launching ramp. And the parking lot was filled, crammed in by the valet attendants. My question is: how has the town allowed this to go on into the second season? The restaurant needs more room.

I was almost hit by a truck zooming past me on the left last Wednesday evening at 7:40 p.m. My left blinker was on. I hesitated turning into my driveway due to four customers from Rumba returning to their cars, as I thought I would hit someone. They stood talking loudly in the road. Impatient, the truck, with a car between us, pealed out and swerved over the double yellow line, and sped down the road. A narrow miss, the closest I have ever come in forty four years of driving.

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Mr. Arcati (owner of the property at #43 CPR) asked for statistics of the danger at the June 14 public hearing. Let's prevent statisics and be pro-active for the safety of all of us citizens, residents and patrons alike. 

I am curious about the idea of sidewalks and lights. If that was what the town decided, there would be no room for any parking of vehicles. Maybe that is the way to go, though that does not solve Rumba's parking dilemma. That change might slow traffic, though, and make this part of town more of a neighborhood, where people could walk and "stroll hand in hand," something David Hersh claimed as a positive effect.

On a nightly basis, people leave Rumba and loudly talk until the wee hours while "strolling" to their cars right in the road, in pitch black conditions. This is hazardous and yes, an accident waiting to happen.

Let's hope our town board acts and does not allow this. Please continue to follow this story, Erica Jackson.

Editor's Note: This issue will be before the Southampton Town Board at 6 p.m. at town hall.

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