Seaview Boats Come To Port
By David Crohn

The “Leeview” epoch is over.

In 1983, when local boating magnates the Ziegle family sold the ferries to Fire Island Ferries, Inc., they also put the Seaview marina, including the boat basin, up for sale. Enigmatic New York City millionaire Lee Pokoik bought it—just to keep Seaview residents out. He even put up unsightly green mesh to keep passersby from, um, viewing the sea in Seaview.

But early this month, the Seaview Community Association bought it back, putting an end to an era of acrimony that culminated in the early ‘90s when Pokoik put up a sign in the community that read:

“WARNING!!! This community has been subverted by the ‘new communist party,’ a group of pinko, liberal, socialist, phony homeowners intent on ruining good times here by eliminating every type of fun imaginable. You cannot even fart in this community without fear of violating their noise ordinance! Do not rent or buy here until these people are driven from the shore of Ocean Beach and it once again becomes the land of good times!!”

Employing a whopper of a euphemism, Suzy Goldhirsch, the president of the Seaview Community Association, called this “provocative signage.”

The question on everyone’s mind is, why did Pokoik sell now? His motives now remain as obscure as were his reasons for hating the community so much in the first place. Since his spokesman and lawyer, Max Weinstein, wouldn’t return phone calls, one can only speculate. Some say his beef with the west end began when the Ocean Beach volunteer fire department turned down his application for membership. The News couldn’t confirm this, however.

“Whatever the reasons, I’m profoundly grateful to have [the marina] back,” said Goldhirsch of the June 8, $2 million deal. She’s been here for 37 years, since before the feud began.

The war between Pokoik and the island had an Ocean Beach front, as well. Over 20 years ago, after he bought the Alligator—then the hottest dance club in the village—he would stand at the doorway and personally turn away young revelers just for being the sons and daughters of Ocean Beach homeowners, according to one resident who preferred to stay anonymous. In 1985, citing an obscure health code, he sued the village for failing to provide public bathrooms on the beach. In a five-year battle that went all the way to the State Supreme Court, he won.

But now that he has also put the Alligator up for sale ($1.2 million, firm, according to the sign posted in the Alligator alongside the weekly wet T-shirt contest notice), perhaps he is making peace with Fire Island?

“I doubt it,” said Goldhirsch. “I think he just wants to retire and move to Florida.” She said that during the transaction he was a perfect gentleman—although she never once communicated with him directly. Goldhirsch said he sold the marina to the Association simply because it would be “the most committed buyer.”

No matter the reason, Seaview boaters are thrilled.

“I’m all for the marina, big time,” said Charles Monaco, a boating aficionado who is living part time in his 48-foot yacht as he awaits the finishing touches to be put on his newly built Seaview home.

“I know people who could name their price for those slips. If the Association came to me and said you can have it for $200,000, I’d buy,” said Monaco.

For now, the Association is reviewing applications for the 35 slips currently available. While the basin can accommodate up to 50 boats, 15 are already taken for the season, thanks to contracts already made with Pokoik. Goldhirsch said priority would be given to Seaview homeowners in good standing with the Association.

Homeowners will be charged $100 per foot to moor boats under 30 feet for the season, with a minimum of $2,000. Boats longer than 30 feet will cost $125 per foot for the season. Water is included, but electricity will cost another $1,000 for the season.

Boaters without Seaview homes or who rent in Seaview will be charged more. It’s different from how they do things in other communities, which rent slips out on a first come, first serve basis. Ocean Beach lets daytrippers rent slips by the hour.

Seaview Association vice president Dick Kosoff said the acquisition was a boon for the whole community—not just the boaters.

“Now kids can walk around the pier, and people can go fishing. It’s vital for a bayfront community to have access to the bay,” Kosoff said. Since Pokoik bought the Marina, the only way to see the bay was to take a trip on a Fire Island ferry. A locked gate prevented access of any kind.

He’s also pleased to be rid of the “green mesh eyesore.” It’s a move that he said “adds to the aesthetics of the community.”

And Laura Smith, a real estate agent who sells homes in Seaview, said, “I think that this is a real plus for Seaview. Best of all, she said, “This will help with market value. We’ve even had renters who were disappointed that they couldn’t get a slip.