Letters

I watched the Southampton Village trustee debate and became increasingly alarmed by the lack of civility demonstrated in some of the personal and procedural attacks, with no presentation of an alternative positive path forward. This is the sort of finger-pointing that has become all too familiar in this political climate.

Southampton Village received the highest credit rating of AAA last year, demonstrating sound fiscal stewardship by the existing trustees. Credit ratings are based on all the factors that determine a borrower’s ability to pay interest and principal as they come due.

Kimberly Allan, a current and experienced trustee, knows this because she spent her multi-decade career in banking and financial services. In a post-COVID world, the village will need a collaborative board with proven trustees like Ms. Allan who have an intricate understanding of the factors that drive each line item in the budget, while maintaining a focus on ensuring a sustainable future for all residents of the village.

Officials of the village have to answer to shareholders (the taxpayers) in a way that private and public companies do not, because this is about quality of life, fiscal sustainability and the evolution of Southampton Village. In this regard, I feel confident that Kimberly Allan will continue her exemplary management and should be reelected.

Sara Tirschwell

Southampton Village

Ms. Tirschwell is chief financial officer of Foundation House, based in Portland, Maine — Ed.