Letters

Thirty-five years of experience as a corporate lawyer, over nine years of experience as the mayor of Westhampton Beach, and a proven, dedicated public servant are the ingredients offered to us for the next supervisor of the Town of Southampton. Maria Moore is the only candidate on the ballot who has these qualifications.

Proof of Maria’s talent for leadership is on display in the Village of Westhampton Beach, where she replaced failing infrastructure, installed sewers, made utility lines hurricane-proof by putting them underground, widened sidewalks, and encouraged property owners to improve their own businesses. Main Street was reconfigured to improve traffic flow and protect pedestrians for a generation to come.

I am writing this letter because Maria never will — she is not boastful. Maria rightly shares the credit with the team she has led to get remarkable results.

Maria ran for mayor in 2014 to achieve the residents’ goals. It was the residents who had adopted a comprehensive plan for the village with the goal of getting wastewater treatment and the revitalization of the village while still preserving the village’s charm. Maria and her board held regular public meetings where they developed a plan to fulfill these goals. Maria led the board through this process where the board listened to residents and shop owners and included good ideas from them in the plan.

Then, Maria executed this plan. Beginning in September 2019, the roadway was removed down to the dirt, two roundabouts installed for traffic, a new water main installed, new rain drains with storm surge protection installed, conduit for all utilities was installed, and within three months the road was again usable on a binder coat of asphalt.

In the spring, wider sidewalks were installed for outdoor dining, public seating was provided, more parking was created, then all overhead wires were pulled through the conduit and the final coat of asphalt was put down. This hardscape included places where public gardens now grow and are maintained in a public-private partnership.

I am sharing these details with you not because this is a pattern book to copy in other hamlets. Each hamlet has its own needs and its own goals. What every person and every hamlet does need is a dedicated leader who will listen to them, plan together for the future and make it a reality.

I have been married to Maria for almost 33 years, and as a result a friend gave me the nickname “Lucky Tom.” You may disregard my opinion, but you can’t ignore the results. Maria has been a terrific mayor.

On November 7, elect Maria Moore as our next town supervisor and you too will be lucky.

Tom Moore

Westhampton Beach