Editorial: Let's Talk - 27 East
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Sag Harbor Express / Editorials / Opinion / 1895276

Editorial: Let's Talk

Editorial Board on Jan 16, 2019
For most small communities, the digital age has not provided the sort of face-to-face, constructive and civil debate that drives true innovation and accomplishment. Nuances get lost online and opinions... more

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Yes, MAGA

Cyndi McNamara is, too, a MAGA — if MAGA means “McNamara Against Government Asininity.” Since coming our way, she has done her homework, sought out the public’s concerns, and been available and open and conscientious throughout. Most important, she actually plows her way through the slippery mountain of paper and dross data generated by planners, consultants, engineers, experts and other know-it-alls who generate hackneyed ideas and big bills. And whom do they work for? She is clear-sighted, informed and measured — a necessary asset and corrective on an often clueless, self-serving, brain-dead board. And her cards are on the table, ... 20 Oct 2025 by Staff Writer

Deep Commitment

I have lived in Westhampton since 2011 and have followed Maria Moore’s work closely, first as mayor of Westhampton Beach and now as Southampton Town supervisor. Over the years, I’ve had several opportunities to listen to her and speak with her directly. She has always impressed me as a calm, straightforward and genuinely caring leader who values dialogue and treats everyone with respect. As supervisor, Maria has continued to show that same steady and thoughtful approach. She has focused on the practical issues that truly matter: protecting water quality, promoting renewable energy, improving waste management, and keeping our town government ... by Staff Writer

Job Well Done

Sundy Schermeyer first ran for Southampton Town clerk in 2006 and beat her opponent. She ran a second time unopposed, and when she ran for third, fourth and fifth terms, she was cross-endorsed by both the Republican and Democratic parties. Why? She does a spectacular job. As town clerk, she oversees the record-keeping and filing system of the Town Board, in addition to overseeing the records for over 37 other departments. She brought the town clerk’s office into the digital age. She implemented an online BID/RFD portal for vendors to bid on town projects and upgraded the process of making ... by Staff Writer

In This Together

I attended both “No Kings” rallies in June and again last Saturday. The spirit of both were identical: We are a community of Americans, coming together, expressing ourselves in the most American of ways — by demonstrating and marching. Both rallies were extremely peaceful. The organizers were absolutely clear in that intention in all of the emails and reminders I received. There were a few “dump Trump” chants, but the real chant that got the momentum was “This is what democracy looks like.” Being at those rallies was uplifting and hopeful. Everyone was in a wonderful mood and complimentary of ... by Staff Writer

Ignore the Noise

It’s election time and the arrows are flying, but they’re far off the target and only hurt those who launched them. Case in point: At a recent Bridgehampton-Noyac forum, it’s reported that the discussion was hijacked by supporters of Town Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara, who seeks reelection in November. Ms. McNamara’s friends shifted the group’s focus from policy to a video ad by the Suffolk County Democrats criticizing her record. They used the ad’s claims, which they called inaccurate, to attack her opponent, Tom Neely. Mr. Neely, however, disavowed the video entirely, saying he had nothing to do with it, and ... by Staff Writer

Shared Successes

As Election Day draws near, it is time to take stock of the last two years. I start by asking a simple question: Are you happy with your local way of life, and do you see improvements (even if small)? I hope the answer is that you can see things happening around our waterways and great strides being made in the name of conservation. That said, I can appreciate that many residents may be sick of politicians, politics and all that comes with it. Keeping that sentiment on the forefront, I do want to share that I believe our local ... by Staff Writer

Major Step

Kudos to Southampton Town Trustee Joe McLoughlin for his great effort to save the natural bodies of fresh water in North Sea. Big Fresh Pond and Little Fresh Pond are gorgeous natural creations that have become environmentally endangered. We all know too well the disaster of Mill Pond in Water Mill that caused that body of fresh water to become so polluted that it was deemed dead many years ago. We must learn from that tragedy and the similar problems now facing Lake Agawam. It is essential that we become more environmentally responsible and undertake the remediation efforts necessary to ... by Staff Writer

Horrible Sound

How is it that music that you can hear from your neighbor’s house is illegal, while a leaf blower that you hear from a mile away is legal? How utterly ironic. How is it that a few lazy, arrogant, uncaring, disrespectful people can ruin the peace and quiet for the rest of us who hate that sound? And, believe me, everyone, and I mean everyone I talk to, hates that sound, hates the emissions, hates the waste that the leaf blowers create. As long as I have been fighting against these weapons of mass destruction, Cynthia McNamara has been fighting ... by Staff Writer

True Professional

I have been honored to have followed Sundy Schermeyer’s career since her days as the assistant superintendent of the Southampton Town Parks and Recreation Department in the early 2000s. Since first being elected Southampton Town clerk, Sundy has proven herself to be bipartisan, professional and incredibly efficient in operating the clerk’s office. She has worked with both Republican and Democrat administrations, respectfully operating the same way regardless of which party was in power at the time. Her office, and her staff, work hard each and every day to accommodate the town’s residents with their requests for information and assistance in ... by Staff Writer

High Standards

The Southampton Town Democratic Party has made the choice for town clerk a no-brainer. They are promoting a candidate with a background in the entertainment field — news, sports and comedy. Odd strategy. Do they really think this person would bring honor and legitimacy to that office? I say, think again. We are in the final stretch to Election Day, November 4. It’s crucial to elect the person who is qualified to successfully fulfill the duties and job responsibilities of town clerk. That person is current Town Clerk Sundy Schermeyer, who has maintained high standards throughout the years, showing complete ... by Staff Writer