Letters

Bill Manger’s very first act as mayor wasn’t to focus on water quality or affordability; it was to give himself a raise and try to extend future terms for Southampton Village officials from two years to four. He was so emboldened, he did it without a public vote. But residents of every political stripe and from every corner of the village came out to stop him. Not by a permissive referendum. And not even on the ballot.

Former school board member Don King spoke against it. So did Ellen Irving. One resident came holding a stack of glossy mailers that Manger had sent out, all taking credit for things he didn’t do and funded by billionaire donors. She asked the best question of the night: If you did all this in two years, why do you need four?

At the time, one of Manger’s campaign workers said she supported the idea because elections were “a lot of work.” Ironically, after watching Manger waffle on Pond Lane and nearly every major issue since, I imagine she’s now grateful that those two-year terms exist.

Back then, Manger had Southampton Association Treasurer Walter Deane push the idea. Now, it’s the Southampton Association’s own president, Jay Diesing, who’s lobbying for it at Planning Commission meetings, once again trying to hand out four-year terms to their chosen politicians.

The Southampton Association used to be about preservation. Now, it resembles a political operation. In 2024, they even sent out communications telling out-of-towners and New York City residents how to vote absentee — and offered to have someone pick up their ballots. The person listed for pick-up? You guessed it: A campaign worker for Gina Arresta and Len Zinnanti. Ugh. I’m no lawyer, but maybe someone who knows the IRS rules for nonprofits should take a closer look.

My message to the Southampton Association is simple: Leave us alone. Help people instead. Maybe adopt an animal.

Southampton residents have rejected four-year terms for decades. We like our chance to hold people accountable. We don’t need billionaires and political clubs deciding who represents us — or for how long.

Jessica McNerney

Southampton