Letters

This November, I will be voting for only one candidate for Southampton Town Council: Tom Neely. Here’s why.

I am exhausted by the gamesmanship of governance. I want a Town Council that is populated by well-informed, experienced and hardworking public servants who share the goal of moving the town forward on road quality, traffic congestion, clean air and water, and affordable housing.

I am tired of the hostility, the division, the constant finger-pointing and name-calling that dominates our political climate. I’m tired of leaders at every level treating each other as enemies instead of colleagues with different perspectives. I’m tired of performative outrage and empty soundbites replacing honest dialogue and meaningful action.

What I want — what I suspect so many of us want — are leaders who remember that their jobs are to serve the public, not perform for the cameras or score political points. We must insist upon a Town Council that values integrity, honesty, decency and respect.

Our Town Council must collaborate to get things done, not waste time clashing with members who are rude and domineering and obstruct for the sake of obstruction. We should also demand that our council members be familiar with our local laws and not pass along misinformation to the public.

Town Supervisor Maria Moore and Council members Bill Pell and Michael Iasilli are to be commended for their significant accomplishments this year despite the pointless roadblocks they faced. They lowered utility costs by finalizing the North Sea Community Solar Project. They protected our groundwater and environment by phasing out sand mines and holding the line on overdevelopment. They approved over 140 new affordable housing units using Community Housing Funds. They also helped advance key infrastructure projects to enhance roadways.

But there is so much more the Town Council can accomplish with another member whose focus aligns with their goals to improve our roads, advance public transportation, implement roundabouts and other traffic mitigation measures, and accelerate opportunities for affordable housing and first-time homebuyer assistance. To do so, however, we must eliminate the congestion in our local government that impedes progress.

Tom Neely is the only candidate who possesses the experience and skill sets to drive these measures forward in a no-nonsense and competent manner.

Tom has spent his career in both the private and public sectors in Southampton addressing traffic safety issues and successfully obtaining millions of dollars in federal, state and local grants for local transportation improvements. He designed and implemented the South Fork Commuter Connection, the South Fork Bikeway and the Bridgehampton Traffic Safety Initiative. He always listened to residents’ concerns through his work in the Municipal Works Department and on the Town Planning Board.

Tom Neely is the real deal.

Andrea Klausner

Water Mill

Klausner is vice-chair of the Southampton Town Democratic Committee — Ed.