Letters

I thought last Thursday’s Southampton Village trustee and mayoral debate was well done, and I wanted to commend those who set it up [“Watch: Southampton Village 2023 Trustee and Mayoral Debates,” 27east.com, June 1].

It was not a surprise, however, that all three incumbent trustees performed so poorly. In a debate moderated by a professional, they could not gang up on the mayor in their regular premeditated 4-1 board meeting attacks.

One trustee, Roy Stevenson, performed particularly poorly and came across as angry and mean. Worse, he was unable to demonstrate a single thing that he accomplished, nor his plan for the future.

In a bizarre incident during this debate, Stevenson accused one of the candidates of meeting the mayor on Tinder, a “hook-up” and dating app that was popular eight years ago. It wasn’t just inappropriate and wrong, it reflected perfectly Roy’s time as a trustee — spewing false and ridiculous information while he routinely attacks the mayor on behalf of his wealthy backers. I am disappointed that The Press did not push him further when he made such a ridiculous statement.

The Press also did not ask Trustee Robin Brown for an explanation on how she could justify building without a building permit. Also highly doubtful that she spends 300-plus days in the village when she has a full-time job at JFK.

Trustee Bill Manger’s performance was equally poor, and he was significantly outperformed by the mayor. While Mayor Jesse Warren came across as positive and optimistic in articulating an impressive number of accomplishments, Manger appeared bitter and untrustworthy. Unable to demonstrate any progress that he would make, he instead spent the evening sounding like the Washington, D.C., politician that he is.

I would have been interested in hearing The Press ask Mr. Manger a question on the work that he did overseeing the PPP loan program, a program that is largely considered one of the most abused and poorly managed in U.S. history [“Bill Manger Responds to Miami Herald Article Alleging Work Done for PPP Client That Was Banned,” 27east.com, May 16]. I found it absurd that he was trying to make the case to present himself as a “good manager,” despite the fact that he clearly failed to manage this abuse- and fraud-laden program. The Press should have asked Manger if he violated Small Business Administration or federal ethics law after leaving the agency.

Other questions that could have been asked: Why do the present trustees always vote as a four-person block? Doesn’t even one of them ever have an independent thought? Or do the four of them just comply with the dictates of their puppet-master financial backer?

Why did Roy Stevenson have the village post “No Access to Hill Street” signs at the north entrance to Captains Neck Lane? This a blatant lie. Does Mr. Stevenson have no consideration for the truth?

David Rung

Southampton