Montauk artists, vets in Memorial Day spat

East Hampton town officials hope to reach a truce Tuesday in a growing turf war in Montauk that threatens to turn the Memorial Day weekend into a bitter feud.

Officials will try to figure out how to let the community's veterans hold a parade and solemn observances on the hamlet's small village Green in May, while at the same time allowing the Montauk Artists' Association to hold its big annual art fair in the same place at the same time.

Though both groups have support from residents and merchants, neither side has shown a willingness to compromise.

"It's kind of hard to figure out, to tell you the truth," said Paul Monte, president of Montauk Chamber of Commerce. "There's plenty of space on the Green and on Main Street."

Both groups have applied for permits to use the Green for the May 25-27 weekend, and each side has told the town board that the Green is the best spot as it draws the most people.

Art shows by various sponsors have been held for three days on the Green for years. This year the veterans, who in the past have chosen a single day to hold a parade, want to add other events and expand their observances over the same three-day period.

The artists have complained that the veterans are trying to stretch a Memorial Day parade into a full weekend, when traditional observances only last an hour or two. Privately, some veterans have complained that the art show made too much noise while memorial observances were being held last year, and said artists were disrespectful in ignoring the ceremonies. In addition, last Memorial Day, the parade continued past the Green, and veterans complained afterward that they lost more than half the crowd as a result.

The Montauk Artists' Association is already advertising its Memorial Day weekend show, where 80 artists pay $350 each to put out their works.

Monte said he has been trying to find a compromise, seeing whether the artists might provide appropriate patriotic decorations on the Green, or suspend their sales while memorial services take place. "This could be a real win-win if they all work together," he said.

Town Councilman Dominick Stanzione -- the liaison to the Montauk community on the town board -- has been trying to do the same thing. But he has to vote on which of two mass gathering permits to approve, and expects to do it at a special town board meeting Tuesday at 10 a.m. "I'd like to find a way for all Americans to come together on this special day," he said.