Letters

Traffic is currently the biggest problem in Southampton Town, and the consequences are many. Small businesses and restaurants are struggling to find employees. Schools are losing qualified teachers. School buses are not getting kids to class on time.

As traffic conditions have worsened, individuals with the power to do something have done little to address the problem. They have floated grand ideas of commuter parking lots, trains, workforce housing, accessory apartments. The list goes on and on, with little improvement.

People who travel our roads on their daily commute know a few small changes can cause drastic improvement. The recent pilot program proved this: With some traffic cones and traffic control officers, gridlock in the morning lessened. Something so simple worked — and needs to continue every morning and every evening. A few other minor changes could alleviate the traffic problem.

During the years that the traffic situation has deteriorated, there has been a massive disconnect between the Southampton Town Highway Department and Town Hall. The superintendent of highways is currently responsible for 450 miles of roads, six highway barns throughout the town, 63 employees, the maintenance and operation of approximately 100 vehicles/equipment, and the managing of a $9 million budget.

My name is Charlie McArdle. I have lived in Hampton Bays since 1987, I raised my four adult children in Southampton Town, and now my first granddaughter is being raised here. My background was in mechanics before joining the NYPD in 1984. In 1988, I was hired by the Southampton Town Police Department. In 1990, I was promoted to detective and held that rank until I retired in 2005.

My family has a combined total of 45 years, and counting, of service in the Town of Southampton. During my tenure with the police department, I became very involved in labor relations and remain active as a leader of the Eastern Long Island Police Conference. After retiring, I became fully involved in my family-owned business that has employed hundreds of local people.

The police department is a quasi-military institution where I learned to be structured, organized, a good communicator and a problem-solver. My experience in labor has given me a working knowledge of contracts, unions and negotiations. Owning and operating my own small business has taught me to supervise multiple employees at multiple locations simultaneously. I take very seriously my responsibility to ensure a safe working environment for all of my employees. I also understand the importance of providing them with the equipment they need to do the job right.

My experience, skill set, and commitment to this community are why I will be a highway superintendent who can work with Town Hall to effect positive change. Vote for me, Charles McArdle, for superintendent of highways.

Charles McArdle

Hampton Bays