Letters

Sundy Schermeyer first ran for Southampton Town clerk in 2006 and beat her opponent. She ran a second time unopposed, and when she ran for third, fourth and fifth terms, she was cross-endorsed by both the Republican and Democratic parties. Why? She does a spectacular job.

As town clerk, she oversees the record-keeping and filing system of the Town Board, in addition to overseeing the records for over 37 other departments. She brought the town clerk’s office into the digital age. She implemented an online BID/RFD portal for vendors to bid on town projects and upgraded the process of making requests under the Freedom of Information Law.

She was awarded the Best of New York by the Center for Digital Government for increased efficiency and public participation. She created a Town Historic Division, and for so doing she was recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior for her historic preservation efforts.

This year, Mark Bernardo, the Democratic candidate, is challenging Sundy Schermeyer’s bid for reelection. As credentials for this position, he offers his career in television and graphic design. He boasts of working with a lot of big names and putting together multimillion-dollar deals with sponsors.

And what would be his first priority if elected? To implement a cyber security audit of systems and records. What Mark Bernardo does not seem to know is that this is not the responsibility or under the jurisdiction of the town clerk’s office; rather, it comes under the Town IT Department. Mr. Bernardo’s resume recommends him for a career in television or graphic design, not the office of Southampton Town clerk.

As town clerk, Sundy Schermeyer has served all the people, free of any politics, and does so efficiently and gracefully. She has the experience and institutional knowledge so necessary to carry out this job. When something works well and is good, why change?

Once again, please join me and support Sundy Schermeyer for Southampton Town clerk.

Al Algieri

East Quogue