From 1976 to 1992 I use to summer in Kennebunkport, Maine. But things changed in that town when George H.W. Bush became President. Now in the late 70's when I would play tennis at the River Tennis Club in Kennebunkport, George Bush (41) would be on one court, believe it or not Barbara Bush would be playing doubles on another, and their kids including the George "W" would be running about around the clubhouse and dock where the family boat sometimes would be tied up. Then when George Herbert Walker Bush became V.P. in 1988, they built courts on Walker Point, his home, and put in security at the entrance on Ocean Road. When he became President in 1988, and this is crux of this article, the whole town changed, not for the better. First a whole new class of tourist arrived daily for a Bush stakeout. Ocean Road in Kennebunkport had check points with the Secret Service stopping/blocking traffic when the President was in town, which was like almost all summer. Then when he went out to dinner, roads were blocked, and all that nonsense. Now it's true that East Hampton Village is larger than Kennebunkport, Maine, non-the-less it is not that much larger. When/if Hillary becomes President and if she chooses East Hampton as her summertime home from the White House, all that stuff will happen, but do to the new security measures post 9-11, only god can imagine the changes the village will see. Yes the south side of the highway has the estates to safely secure a President, but just think of certain beach roads closed indefinitely and road blocks. Think of long motorcades of SUV's and Limo's. And for those who worry about helicopter noise now, as fast as you can say, "Holy Dominic" that will be at a new level. Finally the "working press" invades the area, booking floors of local Inns and hotels, yet in East Hampton there really aren't that many. Stores will sell Hillary Presidential souvenirs and stuff of that nature, just think...the Ralph Lauren official Hillary East Hampton collection.
Now when Bush Sr. was in Kennebunkport as President, a Naval vessel or two was off the shore with anti missile capabilities so I suppose Main Beach may have a new view when one is looking out at the ocean. Finally Hillary may have two terms then add the "Bill Clinton" effect meaning his security detail too will be patroling about meaning East Hampton will be a new kind of fun/misery in the Hamptons!
