A Big Moment

A Big MomentIt’s an old canard about newspapers and political endorsements: “Who are they to tell me how to vote?” That’s the opposite of what an endorsement is: A newspaper’s opinion page — the label is a tip-off — is where a newspaper draws conclusions to share based on its news staff’s reporting, starting a conversation with readers. It’s revelatory, not assertive.

But when it comes to an issue like the pending referendum on the incorporation of the hamlet of East Quogue as a village, there’s a reason for restraint. Quite honestly, it’s a decision to be made solely by the residents of that community, and will affect them primarily, if not solely. Everyone else’s opinion — whether newspaper or resident outside the proposed new village’s borders — means essentially nothing. That said, some brief advice to East Quogue voters as they go to the polls next week to decide whether to incorporate.

It is not a trivial choice. Creating a new layer of government is a significant decision, and it should be based on a tangible need that isn’t currently being met. Proponents note correctly that residents can decide East Quogue’s future much more directly via village government, compared to being part of unincorporated Southampton Town. But it also means taking on much more responsibility.

Sagaponack Village so far has set the template for creating a village on the cheap, and they’ve been able to accomplish a few things (control of zoning, a more regular Town Police presence) without a ballooning budget. It can be done.A troublesome aspect of the East Quogue incorporation effort is both its timing and the direct involvement of men and women affiliated in some way with the Discovery Land Company development proposal in the hamlet. It could well be that perceived shortcomings in the town’s regulatory process sparked a fervent, sincere desire for self-governance. But East Quogue residents should ask themselves if the Town Board ruling was outrageous enough for them to support such a response.The future of any Discovery Land project in East Quogue might be overseen by a village government largely created by supporters of the project. By itself, that isn’t nefarious — if enough East Quogue residents were angry that the town fumbled the ball, and believe that the proposed golf resort community would be so favorable for the new village, it’s adequate reason to vote in favor. But a new village would accept responsibility for being an umpire, not just someone sitting in the stands cheering.

It’s a momentous moment for East Quogue. Voters control the hamlet’s fate. Here’s hoping they take time to cast an informed vote either way.