 Funded by local advertising, it served the communities of Riverhead, Center Moriches, East Quogue, Hampton Bays, and Southampton.Its co-founders and core staff were editor James L. Dudley (1940-2003), publisher/art director Van Howell (1948- ) and ad-man/writer/agitator Dean Speir (1940- ).It was noted for its unpredictable editorial policies; for example, Dudley endorsed the Congressional run of Conservative Party of New York State candidate Robert David Lion Gardiner (1911-2004), the eccentric "16th lord of the manor" of Gardiner's Island, against incumbent Democrat Otis Pike when the Congressman threatened to turn the island into a park.