Letters

Southampton Village is a traditional community distinct from the larger political entities of town, county and state. We stand for love of place, a cherished identity, historic preservation, environmental protection and an enviable quality of life.

Keeping as much of what makes the village, “the village,” in the face of change, incursion and overdevelopment straining our resources, is what I am dedicated to doing.

My life revolves uniquely around service. I have been greatly aided and enriched by friends and strangers alike. They offer to help and want to get involved. I value public participation and encourage it, now more than ever. Because the answer to the question “Are you happy with the ways things are going in the village?” is “no.”

I have listened to village residents. I hear their concerns about being left out of the decision-making discussions that impact their lives. They are unhappy about overdevelopment and a suburban look that is changing our unique architecture and impacting the environment negatively. We are a resort community. I do not know anyone who wants suburbs and suburban priorities and values.

Many feel that Village Hall is less responsive than it used to be. People question the mounting costs to run the village, the breakdown in day-to-day operations, excessive pay raises and smugness, and factional employee relations — none of this is cost-effective or productive. I have tried to draw attention and address these issues. I know we can and must do a better job in these core areas.

And let’s leave blaming previous mayors and boards out of it. Facts, not factions, should be the rule of the day.

An example: Lake Agawam is owned by both the town and the village. Some overlook this fact. The village should not be bearing the full cost of the cleanup. An improved working partnership is necessary.

To date, our village has spent copious amounts of money with little or no impact. We cannot continue down this path and must get scientific input and not be reliant on solutions that are heavily marketed. I am working on exploring other funding initiatives to clean up our water bodies throughout the village.

Many ideas and concepts are glowingly proposed, with little to show for it. Let’s stop and evaluate. Maybe a little of the traditional way of being accessible and partnering with the public is the better way to go. No answering machine can replace a human who picks up the phone.

Here is my cellphone number: (631) 680-5851. Available to listen and work with you.

On June 17, please ask yourself what the village needs before casting your vote. I hope to be reelected as the trustee who puts the public first.

Joseph R. McLoughlin

Trustee

Southampton Village