Letters

Happy New Year to all village residents and faithful readers of my frequent letters. I appreciate your willingness to engage with critical community discussions.

Today, I bring to light a troubling pattern within our local government, one that casts a long shadow over the very principles of transparency and open governance.

The Southampton Press reported on December 14 a disturbing act by our village officials: the destruction of a public document created during one of their board meetings [“Candy Canes and Lumps of Coal,” Editorial, December 14].

This is not an isolated incident. Our village officials have a penchant for conducting business away from the public eye, deliberating behind closed doors rather than in the open air of public scrutiny.

Adding to this opaque practice is the recent hiring of a publicist, to be paid $48,000 for part-time duties. One must question the priorities and commitments of a government that spends taxpayer money to polish the administration’s image while simultaneously shirking the light of transparency.

My experience stands as a testament to this culture of secrecy. I have formally appealed a denied Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request, which sought details on discussions that are unquestionably of public interest: term limits, compensation and health benefits of village officials. These are not mere internal matters but pivotal policy decisions impacting every resident of our community.

The grounds for denial, resting on a narrow interpretation of the intra-agency exemption, are not only disappointing but alarming. They betray a fundamental misunderstanding or, worse, a deliberate misapplication of FOIL’s intent. The communications in question, especially those involving consultants paid with public funds, should be subject to the same transparency as any other governmental discourse.

It is concerning that the denial of this information seems to sidestep FOIL’s purpose. If such practices are left unchallenged, they could undermine the fundamental role that transparency plays in our local governance. It is essential to uphold the public’s ability to access information, which is a cornerstone of effective community involvement.

Through my appeal, I seek to highlight the necessity for a full and frank disclosure of information that holds significant public interest. This is a matter of principle, ensuring that the community remains at the forefront of all governmental decisions.

I encourage our village officials to revisit their approach to Freedom of Information requests with a focus on openness. Upholding transparency is not only about following legal mandates but also about fostering trust and accountability within our community. It is crucial that our village practices reflect a genuine commitment to these values.

David Rung

Southampton Village