Letters

The Civil Service Employees Association has allegedly brought an improper practice charge against Southampton Village Mayor Bill Manger. These charges are the latest in a series of incidents that question Manger’s judgment, ethics and commitment to all of the residents of the village.

The CSEA charges, which relate to Manger and the village’s conduct toward its employees, are a reminder of the pattern of the mayor’s behavior. This pattern is consistent with his actions after leaving the Small Business Administration, as reported by the Miami Herald in a May 16, 2023, article.

The Miami Herald detailed how Manger, after overseeing the Paycheck Protection Program — a program plagued by fraud and abuse — went to work for Oto Analytics Inc., also known as Womply. This company was implicated in the misuse of PPP funds, had been suspended by the SBA and flagged by congressional investigations as one of the program’s worst offenders.

The parallels between Manger’s past actions and his current role as mayor are impossible to ignore. In Washington, D.C., he was at the helm of a program that became synonymous with corruption and mismanagement. Now, as mayor, he continues to demonstrate the same disregard for ethical government and transparency.

Manger’s administration is marred by several questionable practices. He has given himself a 40 percent raise, refuses to eliminate post-service lifetime health care benefits, and is exploiting an opt-out provision, which double-dips taxpayers. These actions cause a gross misuse of taxpayer money. His repeated violations of the Freedom of Information Law and Municipal Home Rule Law further highlight his contempt for the rules that are meant to ensure transparency and accountability in government.

His flawed character is demonstrated by his despicable, vindictive treatment of my wife and me in the rejection of our grievance of our over-assessed property. Also, he refuses to address the village’s unfair system of determining assessed values because he and his wealthy benefactors pay disproportionately lower village taxes while forcing residents of lower-valued properties to pay a disproportionate higher portion of the taxes.

It is time for the residents of Southampton Village to demand better. We need leaders who will prioritize the public good, adhere to the highest ethical standards and manage public funds responsibly. Bill Manger has proven that he is not that leader.

David Rung

Southampton Village