In September 2023, I submitted a Freedom of Information Law request to Southampton Village. I followed up nine times and even filed an administrative appeal with the village administration and/or the Board of Trustees — yet I have not received the documentation. It’s been over a year now!
This is what is written on the New York Open Government Website, (opengovernment.ny.gov/freedom-information-law: “The Freedom of Information Law, effective January 1, 1978, reaffirms your right to know how your government operates. It provides rights of access to records reflective of governmental decisions and policies that affect the lives of every New Yorker.”
Obviously, this law is vital to democracy. What message is the current administration sending to us by not responding? Shouldn’t our government be transparent and let the citizens and taxpayers know what is going on by following FOIL?
I thank Southampton Village Trustee Ed Simioni for delivering on his promise of transparency and raising questions about the handling of FOIL requests.
Kimberly Allan
Southampton Village
Allan is a former Southampton Village trustee — Ed.
Simply Not TrueI write in reference to an article published by 27east.com dated December 6 [“Southampton Village Ethics Board Finds Trustee Robin Brown Violated Code With Attendance at Fundraisers”], regarding a decision by the Southampton Village Ethics Board erroneously finding that I...
Eroding TrustThe Southampton Press reported that Southampton Village Trustee Robin Brown violated the village’s ethics code by accepting a gift, allegedly two VIP tickets to a New York City event unrelated to her role as a trustee, valued at thousands of...
Savor the 'Miracle'It is no surprise to read and hear the legacy media throw shade on the Donald Trump express train that is nominating its department heads. With the troubled Matt Gaetz withdrawal, attention has turned to popular Fox personality Pete Hegseth...
Only SolutionThe continued cowardice shown by the Southampton Town Board concerning Westwoods is long past unacceptable. Their inability or unwillingness to answer questions or take action can only lead one to believe that, barring Cyndi McNamara, they are complicit in this...
Safer RoadsJust want to thank the Southampton Town Highway Department and Superintendent Charles McArdle for such a great job of revising the corner of Head of Pond Road and Lower Seven Ponds Road. With the three-way stop, except for the right...
Step UpIn the aftermath of the recent New York State appellate court decision concerning the billboards adjacent to Sunrise Highway on the Shinnecock-owned “fee simple” Westwoods property, it never made any sense that the town, or the state, for that matter,...
Ethics ViolationsFour members of the Southampton Village Board of Trustees, including the mayor, sent a letter questioning the Southampton Village Ethics Board’s decision to find Trustee Robin Brown in violation for accepting gifts over the permissible legal threshold [“Southampton Village Ethics...
Excellent IdeaHello — Hampton Bays resident here. Buying the Easterner for community housing is an excellent idea [“Housing Authority Jockeying To Purchase Shinnecock Hills Motel for Use as Affordable Housing,” 27east.com, December 1]. A few year-round residents will be less traffic...
