Letters

As an avid cyclist, I must call out another glaring example of favoritism toward wealthy donors at the expense of the Southampton Village community.

Sheila Peiffer, a member of the environmental committee, recently raised a critical question to one of Mayor Bill Manger’s surrogates at this month’s Planning Commission meeting: Why are bike lanes on First Neck Lane, “off the table?” Her call for public discussion and compromise on this issue was met instead with a brick wall, an outright refusal to even consider the matter.

The Village Comprehensive Plan explicitly calls for bike lanes, and while there are valid concerns about safety in certain areas, this is not one of them. Bike lanes on First Neck Lane make sense, not only to ensure safety for the many bikers who already use the street, but also to reduce the chaos of cyclists weaving unpredictably through traffic. The argument that bike lanes might eliminate some parking, particularly for oversized commercial trucks that often clutter the street, hardly seems like a drawback.

The real reason for Manger’s refusal, however, is painfully obvious. Manger’s wealthy donors in the estate section have made their preferences clear: They don’t want bike lanes on “their street,” and as usual, Manger is all too eager to oblige.

This pattern extends beyond bike lanes. Manger’s refusal to even review how the village calculates taxable assessed value is another example. Homes on Meadow Lane and in the estate section pay disproportionately less than their fair share, while smaller homes shoulder a heavier burden. Demand fairness; file a grievance.

Southampton Village deserves better. We need leadership that prioritizes safety, equity, and the needs of all residents, not just Manger’s wealthy campaign donors who call the shots.

David Rung

Southampton Village