Letters

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Southampton Village Trustee Ed Simioni for his support of village residents in advocating for transparency and adherence to the Freedom of Information Law.

For background, the Village of Southampton has been neglecting its legal obligations under Article 6 of New York State Public Officers Law, which mandates that public records be provided within five business days of a FOIL request, with an additional 20 business days to respond if more time is necessary. This is a fundamental right that ensures residents have access to information about how their government operates.

Trustee Simioni’s recent statement at a Village Board meeting was a much-needed call to action. He outlined the need for the village to respect not only the letter but also the spirit of FOIL by adopting a policy that aligns with these state-mandated timelines. The village’s current boilerplate 120-day window to fulfill requests is not only unreasonable but it also undermines public trust.

Residents depend on their local government for timely and transparent information. When that trust is broken, the village is failing to fulfill one of its most basic responsibilities.

Kudos to Ed Simioni for his leadership and courage. I am certain that The Southampton Press, which has faced its own challenges in obtaining information from the village, also appreciates his efforts.

David Rung

Southampton Village