We were quite disappointed to read one of your writers, Michael Lavers, summarion of events that occurred across the communities on Fire Island this past winter. Writing about Ocean Bay Park, Mr. Lavers refers to our community as a "rowdy, but fun-loving hamlet."

When referring to our neighboring community, he writes that Point O'Woods gave him "one of the best sound bites he has ever heard" by quoting a POW representative as saying "We're not allowed to give out anything" and then interjected "over and out." Perhaps Mr. Lavers was attempting to be humorous by his choice of adjectives and commentary; however we found them insulting and promoting of stereotypes which, as a community, we have been working hard to erase for a long time. Mr. Lavers might have well said that OBP is a bunch of drunks and POW is a bunch of snobs because that is what his comments imply.

We believe that a good reporter respects the rules of journalism and presents the facts as they are given. Though Ocean Bay Park may have a reputation for partying (which is something the homeowners and families here cannot control any more than Ocean Beach or any other community can), and Point O'Woods enjoys their privacy (something many of us want for ourselves), you do not categorize the other communities in that manner. We would ask that Mr. Lavers be a little more thoughtful of the power of words and what they can imply when writing something that many people read.

Steven Jaffe, President, OBP Homeowners Association

Barbara Placilla, President, OBP, Auxiliary

Editor's Note: We are sorry our "attempt" at humor caused insult. The Wrap Up is traditionally written with snarky commentary. Any stereotype promotion was unintentional.