Letters

I attended the November 28 public hearing regarding extending term limits for Southampton Town supervisor and council members. Of the 20 or so speakers, all but two spoke against extending terms, and the two who did not were unsure. Notably, three members of the incoming 2024 Town Board spoke against it.

Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara, Councilman Rick Martel and Councilman-elect Michael Iasilli all correctly pointed out the need for more community outreach and discussion. There is no urgency, no crisis, no public demand necessitating immediate action — so slow it down and do it right.

Arguing in favor of term extensions, Supervisor Jay Schneiderman and Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni pointed out that other townships allow 12-year terms, and some allow unlimited terms. Looking at some of those townships, one can make an argument that longevity has not been a net positive, and perhaps those townships could benefit from turnover. Turnover brings in fresh ideas, new relationships, and new energy. Governments of all sizes benefit from such things.

New York is the only state that still practices fusion voting, allowing candidates to be cross-endorsed and receive multiple lines on a ballot. Fusion is flawed and transactional. It confuses voters and allows party heads to manipulate lines and stack the odds in favor of selected candidates. One simply needs to look up the Southampton Town election results history with the Suffolk County Board of Elections to note that the candidate with the most lines wins in almost every case. The data is right there for all to see.

This is the flawed, uneven, and sometimes meritless system in which candidates must compete. Until New York embraces a new voting system, this voter sees no immediate need to extend the transactions for an additional four years.

Craig Catalanotto

Speonk