On the agenda for the next Southampton Town Board meeting is, yet again, plans
to address and hear comments on proposed legislation to reform current ethics codes geared toward tightening rules
of conduct for town employees and their political activity.
What does it mean and why does it matter?
The proposed reforms to the town’s Code of Ethics mean, among other things, that
it will be unlawful to coerce town employees to support specific political campaigns, and make it unethical to
use lists of town employees to generate political fund-raising letters. The reform also requires that a town official
recuse himself or herself from any actions that would involve anyone who has made a campaign contribution of $1,000
or more, and publish a list of such contributors.
The reason it matters is clear: Our community wants an open local government devoid
of any internal “wheeling and dealing,” a local government that guarantees us fair and balanced representation.
But what is perhaps most notable in this process is the fact that the issue has been tabled and postponed any number
of times since it was first introduced to the Town Board as far back as January. How can this be? The improvements
in the proposed amendments to the town’s Code of Ethics are reasonable, right and clearly long overdue.
These proposed changes have had the continuous support of Linda Kabot, Nancy Graboski and Steve Kenny, and they
are to be applauded for their patience with the process and their commitment to these changes. However, these changes
deserve unanimous support from all members of the board. Anything less suggests an ethical division among the board
members, which is not in our community’s best interests.
ANNA THRONE-HOLST
Sag Harbor
Ms.Throne-Holst is a Democratic candidate for Southampton Town
Board in the fall election—Ed.
Southampton Democratic Committee • PO Box 384 • Westhampton • New York
11977