Letters

I recently put up a very large, very legal sign at my office on County Road 39, letting everyone know whom I’ll be voting for in next month’s election. It’s a bold declaration of who I am personally supporting, and I’d like to expand a bit on why.

As a lifelong resident of Southampton who makes my living here, those who serve in local government impact me more than what happens on the federal level.

I’ve been a registered Democrat my entire life, and as I’m getting older, I better understand the need for a balanced government. My ballot will not follow a blue line this year. I believe that it’s important to have balance, and to support strong candidates.

I’ll be voting to reelect my friend Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker, Supervisor Maria Moore, Charlie McArdle and Sundy Schermeyer. I believe all of these elected officials are accessible, have the pulse of the community, and genuinely act in the best interests of their constituents.

I will be crossing the invisible divide to vote to reelect Cyndi McNamara and Rick Martel. Rick embodies the essence of community service. He’s full of integrity, listens and has always treated constituents respectfully. He’s level-headed and experienced. Cyndi is a dynamic community advocate who educates herself on issues more than anyone in recent memory. She listens, she questions, you know where she stands, and she uses her voice.

I have nothing against Tom Neely as a person. I don’t like that he allowed himself to be used as a pawn in Gordon Herr’s deal-making. I am looking for candidates who stand up for their values, who lead with conviction, who challenge the establishment when they’re trading party lines and eliminating the voters’ choice in elections.

Tom Neely may not have been guilty of the horse trading that resulted in cross-endorsements and blank candidate lines, but he’s undeniably complicit. Allowing himself to be used handed a Town Board seat to the Republicans.

I will be voting to help hand them the other.

Ron Fisher

Southampton