Letters

When all is said and done, when all the debates are had, and all the rallies are finished, and all the mailing and canvassing is over, every election comes down to a comparison.

That’s the essence of a democratic election: a comparison between two candidates, a choice by the voters.

What informs every election are the issues and challenges that will confront the winning candidate. Whichever candidate wins a Southampton Town Council seat in the special election coming up on March 18 will face a number of tough, complex and interdependent matters.

Many would name traffic and housing as the prime challenges we have, and they are both certainly right up there. We also have pressing environmental issues, the question of downtown renewal in Hampton Bays, the disputed shellfish hatchery at Conscience Point, and the Shinnecock Nation’s economic development, among other things.

This is a daunting list, and it will take a very able person to deal with it.

That person is John Leonard, in my opinion. In his long experience as a lawyer, he has negotiated and litigated many complicated matters. His commitment to the community is demonstrated by pro bono service to the town’s drug court; active membership in the Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce, the Hampton Bays Rotary and the Hampton Bays Alliance; and sitting first on the town’s Architectural Review Board and now on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

We need a councilman who will stand up for his positions and not yield; that is, a fighter. John Leonard is unquestionably that. He has repeatedly shown that he will be a strong and independent representative for us.

A recent debate conducted by the League of Women Voters strikingly demonstrates the difference between the two candidates. Neither committed any serious blunders, but John Leonard demonstrated far more experience, knowledge and involvement with the issues. He showed that he will do the job.

When all is said and done, it’s a comparison. I’ve made my choice. I’m voting for John Leonard on March 18.

George Lynch

Quiogue

Lynch is the communications chair for the Southampton Democratic Committee — Ed.