Letters

I recently read a letter written by Evelyn Konrad, in which she expressed concerns over her own assumptions of what Southampton Village trustee candidate Zachary Epley’s priorities and intentions will be if elected [“Not In Sync,” Letters, 27east.com]. I believe Mrs. Konrad ungraciously underestimates Zachary’s devotion and commitment to the village he calls home and is unaware of the time he donates to our community, in particular to our student-athletes.

Speaking as a former Southampton High School track and field All-American, my proudest moment was in the spring of my senior year, when our relay team raced its way to an eighth-place finish in the nation. The members of our relay team went on to compete collegiately for Columbia, Sacred Heart and Duke. I am deeply saddened that all of our community’s coaches and athletes who prepared for the upcoming season will not have the opportunity to compete for such moments this spring.

Zachary Epley is one of my closest friends. He recently welcomed his fourth child into the world, George Knox Epley. Tasked with raising four children under the age of 5 with his wife, Brittney, and facilitating operations at Seafield’s Drug Rehabilitation Center, Zachary still finds the time to dedicate himself fully to our community in every way he can. He volunteers for the Southampton Fire Department and continues to honor his commitment to our student-athletes, coaching spring baseball. His unwavering devotion led to his promotion from junior varsity coach to the head coach of the varsity program.

As our village faces unprecedented challenges ahead, our local businesses will need leaders who are compassionate, responsible and knowledgeable of our community’s needs. Zachary has proven time and time again that he is the public servant to take on this challenging task with fervor, perseverance and dignity.

Zachary is a person who will stop to listen and treat the needs of others as if they were his own. Zachary Epley has the all the qualities that make him a great leader, and our village is lucky to have him on its side.

Thank you and be safe.

Geary Gubbins

Southampton

Ms. Konrad’s letter appears in print this week but was published online earlier this month — Ed.