Letters

Three candidates will compete for two trustee seats in the upcoming Southampton Village election.

In the two years of the Bill Manger regime, candidates Robin Brown and Roy Stevenson have never offered an alternative view on any proposal. They have demonstrated that they have no capacity to think for themselves and are programed to follow the script as part of a 4-1 supermajority.

One candidate, Rob Coburn, is running as an independent.

Independence on a board matters. As The Southampton Press rightly noted in a March editorial on a town race, a 3-2 split brings more balance and accountability than a 4-1 supermajority. Differing viewpoints are good for democracy. When everyone votes the same, real debate disappears.

Coburn brings experience. He’s served on the Architectural Review Board and the village’s Environmental Committee. He has a background in finance and hotel management. His approach to public service is rooted in transparency, responsiveness and customer service, all sorely needed in Village Hall.

Coburn has also pledged to eliminate lifetime health benefits for current and future part-time politicians after they leave office. Voters, be aware that if Stevenson or Brown are reelected, they will be 75 percent vested in these lifetime benefits. If Mayor Bill Manger wins reelection next year, he will be 100 percent vested and eligible to receive taxpayer-funded perks for life starting at age 62. Benefits for the three, according to the Planning Commission, could exceed $1 million if vested.

These exorbitant benefits are part of the reason that Southampton taxpayers are forced to annually pay $10 million more than East Hampton taxpayers and $20 million more than Sag Harbor taxpayers.

To restore balance and bring an independent voice to the board, residents should use a single-vote strategy: Vote for only one trustee candidate, Rob Coburn. This gives him the best chance of winning and is what our local government needs to operate effectively.

David Rung

Southampton Village