Letter to the Editor: Pussy's Pond Bridge Needs Financial Support

This past week we experienced a moment of joy and a sense of relief after waiting nine months for the to approve the application of the Pussy’s Pond Bridge Rebuilding Project. 

On Oct. 22,  Larry Penny and Zachary Cohen submitted an application to the trustees for the rebuilding of the Pussy’s Pond Bridge. Around the turn of the year I decided to take on the management of the rebuilding project, pursue the permits, and commence the fundraising. 

The application had languished for several months without any action on the part of the trustees. With the help of Pamela Bicket and Mark Mendelman we came up with a professional set of drawings for the bridge design. Then my good friend Dave Stiles did a magnificent job of bringing forth an artistic pen and ink rendering of the bridge. If you leave with nothing else from the Spring’s this weekend you should carry away a copy of the post card with his drawing.

Now that the permit is in the fund-raising has to move into full swing. Fortunately, the Springs Fisherman’s Fair is this coming weekend. The opportunities for you to make a contribution to this effort has quadrupled in the last week. First, you will find Tracey Frasier, a teacher and avid bridge supporter, at a booth devoted entirely to promoting the bridge rebuilding where you will find an eight-foot banner “Contribute to Rebuilding the Pussy’s Pond Bridge”. There you will be able to make contributions directly or carry away literature and an envelope ready for you to send on a check. 

Second, the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society’s booth will also have literature and an ability to accept checks and cash donations.  They have established a separate bank account to accept your tax-deductible contribution. The trails society has made the first $1,000 contribution to this effort back in January.

Third, because I am President of the East End Classic Boat Society we will have Pussy’s Pond literature and an ability to collect your contributions at our booth also. And finally, fourth, since the Accabonac Protection Committee has a keen interest in the resources of the harbor, they too will have a collection container and literature on hand.

In order to broaden your familiarity with the Pussy’s Pond Bridge the trails society has asked me to lead a mini hike to the School Street side of the bridge site and provide you with an overview of the planned action as well a history lesson on how one obtains permits for our bridge reconstruction project. I have a strong voice and would be delighted to have a large crowd of supports on hand. This mini hike will leave the fair grounds at 11 a.m.

From my perspective this Pussy’s Pond Bridge rebuilding project represents probably the greatest challenge I have taken on to date. In comparison, bringing water to Gerard Drive and the building of the Community Boat Shop was a snap. We are required to build the bridge with nonpolluting highly indestructible wood so the cost has risen significantly. We need every contribution possible to bring this resource back to the students of Springs School and the citizens of Springs.  Your help is very much appreciated.

For more information go to www.pussypondbridge.org.