Letters

I have only once before in my 65 years written a Letter to the Editor. It was because, as a child of about 10, I was shocked to see that Life magazine showed a picture of another child going over a waterfall to his death. Now, seeing death on the front page of a newspaper is normal, so what did I know?

What is also normal, unfortunately, is the lack of civility in this world, as spectacularly shown in the village politics. To me, it is a bit of a rich vs. poor situation but made worse by egos.

Jesse Warren is trying. He is a millennial. Not a bad thing, but they do have a different perspective of life, and as a supervisor of approximately 70 people I do know about that. I voted a few years ago for the new folks, Andrew Pilaro, Mark Parash and Jesse Warren.

I have continued to vote for Jesse, whom I feel may not always have the best style but has the commitment to making Southampton better.

The others have all said the right thing, but the evidenced behavior is atrocious. Back-door dealing and now hiring someone at taxpayer expense to say that lifetime medical coverage is appropriate in these times is so self-serving, particularly after they agreed to end it! Medicare is available to all at 65. When I retire, I will take advantage of it.

I am a fortunate person who has worked very hard and is successful by most standards. I have been in my house in the village for over 25 years. Yes, south of the highway, but as my deceased partner said, many, many millions from the ocean.

We need this village to move forward — the sewer issue, the housing issue and the empty stores. Why is Sag Harbor more successful?

Like so many people have said on these pages, why can’t we agree to disagree?

I think the Jesse team, with the very qualified proposed trustees, will at least move us forward instead of being stuck with the continuation of us vs. them. Just trying to “win” and beat the other person has no place in public service.

One may consider me at least a weekender or at most a full-time summer person. I am here close to full time and feel I have a pulse on both the summer community and the locals. We all eat at the same restaurants during the winter, and I shop local. Missing Schmidt’s very much.

Let’s act like ladies and gentlemen, be respectful and get rid of the back-door dealing, and agree to disagree but be a united group.

Paul J. Herman

Southampton Village