Letters

As Election Day draws near, it is time to take stock of the last two years. I start by asking a simple question: Are you happy with your local way of life, and do you see improvements (even if small)? I hope the answer is that you can see things happening around our waterways and great strides being made in the name of conservation.

That said, I can appreciate that many residents may be sick of politicians, politics and all that comes with it. Keeping that sentiment on the forefront, I do want to share that I believe our local elections are some of the most important. The saying that “all politics is local” holds true — as elected neighbors and friends, we can directly enforce accountability through quantifiable results.

On the theme of results, I have spent the last two years working closely with my fellow board members to solve local issues. From achieving an independent tax line for the Trustees to concluding lawsuits to upholding resident rights to access the drive on beaches, these small successes lead to lasting results that will have impact for decades to come.

I also am focusing on working closely with the Little Fresh Pond and Big Fresh Pond associations and conservancies to monitor and address problems that are within the purview of the Town Trustees board.

As much that has been accomplished, there is still a lot to do. Serving as an elected official means much more than just approving dock applications and monitoring water quality; it is about being a steward of the community in which you serve for the betterment of future generations. The Trustees have been in existence for over 340 years, and therefore it is our responsibility and my shared promise to make sure that the rights of the freeholder shall never be infringed upon and our waterways continue to remain open for all to use for generations to come.

Only with your vote on Election Day, we can continue to build on all these great initiatives and shared successes. Thank you.

Joseph R. McLoughlin

Southampton Town Trustee