Event Organizers Plea For Exceptions to Road Use Policy

Event organizers unhappy with Southold Town's new road use policy came before the board to plead for exceptions at a community discussion held Tuesday night.

The new policy was written to help curb the burgeoning number of events and participants converging upon Southold Town roads, presenting safety and congestion issues. Police Chief Martin Flatley first came to the board to request some guidelines after requests for events continued to pour in.

The new policy nixes for-profit 5Ks, race or bike events on local roads, and limits the number of participants in charitable events; exceptions are possible, the board said, and would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

But the new policy has some crying foul. 

Corey Roberts of EventPower Long Island said his company has organized the Mighty North Fork Triathlon for 14 years.

Participants in the event, which takes place at Cedar Beach, sign on for a 500-meter swim, followed by an 8-mile bike ride and a 3.5 mile run.

Roberts asked the board to "grandfather in" the event. 

Although he was candid in telling the board the event was for-profit, Roberts said his company donates to Community Action of Southold Town and to the Southold Fire Department each year, as well as to Cornell Cooperative extension.

"I know some are concerned that we make our money and run - we wanted to  clear that up," he said. 

Also, Roberts said, the triathlon is a two-day event, bringing hundreds of athletes, plus spectators, into town to frequent area hotels, restaurants and other businesses.

The event would also not exceed the town's new limit of 600 participants, Roberts said. "We're not going out and storming the beach with thousands," he said.

In addition, Roberts said, the triathlon begins at 6:40 a.m. and is over by 10 a.m., when employees "leave Cedar Beach cleaner than when we arrived."

While the event has a permit for this year, Roberts said he was concerned about the future. "This is the first Long Island triathlon tour to sell out every year," he said. "That's something Southold should be super proud of -- everyone wants to  come to Southold and be a part of what the town has to offer."

Councilman Chris Talbot asked Roberts how much, exactly, was donated to CAST; Roberts said he would get the numbers and also said he was exploring other ways to give back, including food and clothing drives.

Councilwoman Louisa Evans asked what percentage of participants were from Southold; Roberts said he would provide that info, too.

"We're in a tough position, trying to reign these things in," Talbot said. "But you don't want to discourage people getting out there and exercising."

"Our sponge is full," Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell explained. "We have homegrown events -- and there's only so much a community can absorb." Each event, he said, requires policing and road closures. The board needed a line of demarcation, he said, and decided to nix for-profit events. "Our sponge is full and we have to wring it out."

"Are you going to wring out a local event that's been here 14 years and supports local businesses?" Roberts asked. "Are you going to look at the books of these not-for-profits?"

Russell said the board was aware of the fact that a charitable status was not hard to obtain at the federal level and that the town reserved the right to examine all books of not-for-profits.

"This is a starting point for some measure of policy," Russell explained.

Talbot said CAST representatives were "very supportive of what you guys do for them." 

Russell said donations needed to be looked at in the context of the gross receipts for the race. "We're trying to accomodate an awful lot of demand as best we can," he said.

Resident Brian Teller spoke out to support the triathalon, which he said was good for the town. He criticized some other events where participants "seem like they've never ridden a bike before. That's a hazard -- these triathlon participants are trained for this."

Councilwoman Jill Doherty said the policy could be reviewed each year.

Doris McGreevy, former Mattituck park district commissioner said, as the bikers and runners swarm the roads, safety issues arise. "It has become excessive," she said. 

McGreevy has suggestions, including that the entire community, not just neighbors, be notified before an event. 

Rest stops need to be addressed in the policy, McGreevy said; in the past, large groups would come without warning to the beach and "trash the porta potties. We didn't expect this -- they just appeared. It's really bad."

In addition, McGreevy said routes should be examined, and roads chosen for events that have a shoulder; in some cases, bikers ride two abreast with no shoulder, making it difficult for motorists to drive safely.

A no-alcohol policy should be implemented, McGreevy continued. Recently, some groups have been hosting bike/wine tasting events. "If you are drinking you may have an inability to balance," she said.

Talbot said some groups also ask for midnight rides. "You can't make this stuff up," he said. "We're preyed on here. This might be once a year for these groups, but for us it's every weekend -- it's constant."

One solution, Talbot said, might be telling groups they can host events on alternating years.

Russell added that while some say the events bolster local businesses, it's the very business owners who are complaining that the events prevent traffic flow to their establishments.

Glen Goldstein, owner and founder of the North Fork Century Ride, said the event has been held in town for almost ten years, and only after eight was he asked to get a permit; he complied. 

"We are not a charity and don't pretend to be," he said. "We're a business. We sell entertainment. When I go to see the Yankees my first question is not, 'Is this for profit?' My first question is, "Am I going to have some fun?'"

However, Goldstein said, his event commissions the Greenport Fire Department to provide lunch; the group also spends money at local bagel stores and restaurants, donates to the fire department and gives a local $1000 scholarship each year.

"If we get a permit and can hold the event next year, it will be a $6000 scholarship," he said. "Is that a bribe? I doubt you're bribe-able."

Goldstein said he would not break the law and hold the event without approval but said cyclists would come to the North Fork regardless. 

Talbot asked why he didn't ride in his own town of Narrowsburg, New York; Goldstein said it's too hilly.

Talbot also asked why the group did not get approval from the Mattituck Park District to use their bathrooms.

Goldstein said he had permits for Wildwood, Orient and the New Suffolk Beach and did not use any other places.

"You know everything but the answers you can't answer," Talbot fired back.

"We need to draw the line somewhere," Councilman Jim Dinizio said, adding that on a recent weekend, he almost hit three bikers while trying to get from Greenport to East Marion for breakfast. 

Laurel residen Katherine Williamson said it's not all about money. "It's about exposing people to a lifestyle that's good for them." An avid triathlete now, Williamson said she never would have found her passion for the sport without the Mighty North Fork Triathlon. "I'd hate to see the baby thrown out with the bathwater."