School Budget Proposals For 2020-2021

Connecting to History

David Rung’s recent letter regarding the proposed Southampton Village Historical Walking Tours [“Wasted Dollars,” Letters, November 20] seems to misunderstand the intent of this initiative. The idea is not to recreate Google Maps or offer a generic navigation tool. Rather, this project envisions self-guided historic walking tours of Southampton Village — particularly within the village business district — designed to celebrate and share our community’s rich history. Southampton has many remarkable stories to tell, from its founding to the many historic landmarks that define our identity today. Many visitors and even some residents are unaware of the depth of that ... 1 Dec 2025 by Staff Writer

Lack of Ethics

The November 25 Southampton Village Board work session delivered yet another reminder of our village’s lack of ethics. There were many cringeworthy moments, but none more uncomfortable than watching Trustee Roy Stevenson forced to read a prepared statement recusing himself because the matter involved his golf buddy and major campaign donor. That donor received a reduction in his taxable assessed value through the settlement of an Article 7 tax grievance. What made the moment even more troubling was that Mayor Bill Manger also came into the meeting with a prepared statement expressing his intention to vote in favor of the ... by Staff Writer

Santa Coming to Westhampton Beach

The Village of Westhampton Beach will host its annual Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Celebration on the Village Green on Saturday, December 6, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. At 6 p.m., the Westhampton Beach Fire Department will escort Santa to the Green, joining decorated fire trucks from neighboring departments in a festive parade of lights down Main Street. The trucks will leave the Westhampton Beach firehouse at 5:45 p.m., travel south on Sunset Avenue, and turn left onto Main Street before concluding at the Village Green, where Santa will greet children of all ages. by Staff Writer

Garden Club Makes Holiday Baskets for Hospice Patients

The Southampton Garden Club recently designed and decorated holiday baskets for hospice patients and their ... by Staff Writer

About Priorities

In a recent article about SNAP (Supplemental Assistance Benefits Program) being caught up in the most recent government shutdown [“SNAP Funding Turmoil Hits East End Food Pantries Ahead of Winter Season,” 27east.com, October 30], and the consequences to East End food pantries, Congressman Nick LaLota was quoted to the effect that he would insist that Democrats pass the latest continuing resolution to fund the government to restore SNAP benefits. Some thoughts on Mr. LaLota blaming Democrats: Democrats were reluctant to back the continuing resolution since it didn’t extend Affordable Care Act insurance subsidies, but agreed after Senate Republican leader John ... by Staff Writer

Stunningly Wrong

Lake Agawam Conservancy Chair Robert Giuffra is Donald Trump’s personal attorney, according to Business Insider. So I read his letter, “Playing Politics” [November 27], with disbelief and embarrassment — for him. For someone who touts himself as co-chair and attorney at Sullivan & Cromwell, Mr. Giuffra manages to get the law stunningly wrong. Let’s start with the basics. Mr. Giuffra claims that the conservancy’s massive Gin Lane project was “fully approved” by the village trustees. That is simply false, and he knows it. A blanket resolution from 2024 authorizing the mayor to enter an agreement is not approval of detailed ... by Staff Writer

Essential Step

Southampton Village residents deserve a government that operates with full transparency, not through unwritten rules that shift from meeting to meeting. That is why I will introduce a resolution to formally adopt clear, written procedures for how Board of Trustees agendas are prepared. A core part of this resolution makes one thing unmistakable: Every trustee will have the guaranteed right to place resolutions on the agenda for discussion and vote by 4 p.m. the day before each meeting — an essential step for accountability. This ends any ambiguity about agenda access and ensures that all elected officials can bring important ... by Staff Writer

Demonstrably False

Residents should be asking: Why is Village Hall working so hard to hide a publicly funded report? During my tenure as mayor, Southampton Village secured funding for a reconnaissance study to evaluate our historic district. The goal was to gather facts and allow residents to weigh in openly on any proposal that might affect their homes. Today, that same report, paid for with public funds and prepared by the consultant Preservation Studios, is being withheld not only from the public but also from the trustees who funded it. Last week, The Southampton Press awarded Village Hall a “dunce cap” [“Gold ... by Staff Writer

Position Unchanged

David M. Brodsky’s partisan letter [“Owed Full Truth,” Letters, November 27] is built on incorrect assumptions and ignores key facts about both the Jeffrey Epstein case and my record. First, as a father of three daughters, I voted yes to release the Epstein files because the full network must be exposed, and every victim deserves justice. A discharge petition is one procedural option, but it is not what releases files; only a vote of the House does that. When a bill came to the floor that would force disclosure, I supported it without hesitation. My position did not “change” based ... by Staff Writer

'Parade of Lights' Kicks Off Southampton Holiday Season

The annual holiday “Parade of Lights” and tree lighting in Agawam Park ushered in the ... by Staff Writer

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