Letters

I was born and raised in the town of Sag Harbor and am blessed to be raising my family here with my husband, Jason, a lifelong resident as well. We have two children in the Sag Harbor School District, both attending elementary school. My daughter benefited from the prekindergarten program at the Learning Center, and I am proud to have participated in efforts to acquire Stella Maris when the opportunity arose, while very newly pregnant with her!

The naysayers for Marsden are predominantly neighbors of the property and are collectively shouting, “Not in my backyard!” They have been for years, which a quick Google search of past reporting can verify. Directing significant time and funds to pushing their agenda, they have filled the ears of citizens with blatant lies and shown up in force to town meetings trying to convince the representatives and public that we shouldn’t go for this.

The public was given a chance to weigh in this past fall. Many showed up on November 3, completing the democratic process that we all choose into as citizens. That is quite simply being disregarded by the Southampton Town Board. The “yes” vote won, 638-521. Why are we having to come out again to remind the Southampton Town Board of that fact?

The board members would be failing in their civic duty if they do not follow through. We voted yes. They are responsible to uphold the process, because it is by that very process that they became our representatives. Upholding the community vote and following through with the contract to purchase the Marsden properties is the responsibility of the Southampton Town Board to its broader constituency. I implore them to do the right thing and promise that, as a voter, I am paying attention!

Finally, this is an opportunity to expand school property, of which we have very little, compared to most districts on the East End! We can agree that the largest use will be by the children of our district, and that alone will leave an extraordinary generational impact.

That alone is enough for me to rally support! What do we value as a community? What legacy do we seek to leave? Who are we committed to pleasing? Important questions to ask at a pivotal moment.

Michele H. Liot

Noyac