Letters

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Mayor Jesse Warren, Trustees Roy Stevenson, Bill Manger, Robin Brown, and Gina Arresta, and Village Administrator Charlene Kagel-Betts for working together to support Southampton Village Ocean Rescue as it strives to achieve its mission: to prevent drownings in Southampton Village.

We are lucky to have a mayor and board that prioritize public safety. The strong leadership of a well-run village has facilitated SVOR’s exponential growth over the past year.

The mayor’s exceptional communication skills and strategic planning helped SVOR attain New York State’s official first responder designation as an emergency rescue and first aid squad in July 2022. This achievement will have a rippling positive effect on the future of SVOR.

As a fellow water enthusiast, the mayor has fostered sincere relationships with members of SVOR and has been a constant supporter of its needs. He is solutions oriented and has had a large impact on SVOR.

Trustee Stevenson has dedicated many hours to understanding the operational obstacles and constrictions SVOR has been facing. We greatly appreciate the number of times he has interrupted his busy schedule to navigate complicated situations, working with us to develop feasible solutions. His ability to see both sides of situations has been enlightening. His close relationships with Village Board members has aided SVOR in meeting its needs.

Trustee Manger has thoroughly investigated the valuable and unique services SVOR provides to this community so integrated with water and beaches. He, too, has made himself accessible and has devoted much of his time to assisting SVOR. He openly supports SVOR’s efforts and has taken proactive approaches to attempt to solve complex issues. His genuine appreciation and resourcefulness make it a pleasure to work with him.

Both Stevenson and Manger have expressed an enthusiastic response to the idea of a much-needed life-saving station, as a home for SVOR and Coopers Beach lifeguards. Once approved by the board, and the State Department of Environmental Conservation, we look forward to raising funds to finance the construction of an exquisitely designed, fully functional structure that would add to the landscape and memorialize Southampton’s history.

Additionally, we would like to thank Trustees Brown and Arresta for their continued support. We look forward to seeing both at the beach and in the water.

SVOR has an adult swim program for adults who wish to improve their ocean skills. Details are atSVOR.org.

Special thanks to Village Administrator Kagel-Betts for being thorough and hands-on in figuring out ways the village can assist us with our financial and storage needs. Her willingness to delve into rethinking the intricate storage site plan to include SVOR and all the different departments has not gone unnoticed and is greatly appreciated.

Alex King

Chief

Southampton Village Ocean Rescue