Letters

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

For about 20 years now, under both Democratic and Republican administrations, Sundy Schermeyer has performed flawlessly as town clerk. It’s not a headline-grabbing type of job, but it is key to the operations of Southampton Town Hall.

In all the years she has run the office, I have never — and I do not use that word lightly — heard a complaint about Sundy’s performance, or that of her staff. Not only does she meet the expectations of the job, but she always seems to aim higher. Digitize maps. Get all forms online. Everything from A to Z, with historical cemeteries in the mix. The list seems endless to me.

Sundy does not just sit there and take notes at board meetings, that’s for sure.

And so I was gob-smacked when I learned the Democrats were running someone against her. Although her opponent seems quite talented in the arts and related endeavors, I see nothing that seems very relatable to the town clerk’s office.

While I can appreciate local political parties trying to find candidates for all elected offices, I cannot help but notice that the Democrats have only put up one candidate for Town Board when there are two slots open. Town Board no less. Yet they can find someone to run against a highly respected person who has done a commendable job regardless of the political party in power. Makes no sense to me.

I am a registered Democrat for over a half century. To this day, I am proud to be a Democrat. I was even formerly the co-chair of the town’s Democratic Committee and president of the Democratic Club.

But party affiliation, especially locally, must be secondary to the very real and local needs of the people. In addition, I’ve never even seen Sundy being political. Her office does not vote on anything. She just does the job we elect her to do, and does it well.

Sundy Schermeyer has my vote. I hope you will give her yours.

Marion Boden

Hampton Bays