Letters

I write in response to a Letter to the Editor in last week’s Southampton Press from former Mayor Jesse Warren regarding certain labor relations matters with the Civil Service Employees Association [“Lack of Respect,” Letters, August 15]. As is his penchant, Warren’s letter is filled with false statements and misrepresentations.

Under my administration, the village makes every effort to address employee concerns and treats all employees with respect. This differs dramatically from what occurred under the Warren administration, when the village was inundated with costly claims from employees alleging that Warren engaged in civil rights violations, gender discrimination, sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment and failing to pay employees. Among these claims were two brought by former employees personally hired by Warren.

Under my administration, the village inherited these claims and has been dealing with them through the legal system. This has been costly to the village and is a sad part of his legacy. Claiming he is an advocate for respecting employees is simply absurd and reflects a complete lack of understanding of the very concept.

His claims are false about the village’s contract with the CSEA. There is no impasse in negotiations. The agreement with the CSEA was approved in April 2023, when Warren was still mayor, and fully implemented under my administration. Retroactive pay was paid out immediately, and the contract has been in effect since that time.

Warren’s inability to sign a contract with CSEA was like his failure to finalize the contract with the Police Radio Operators Benevolent Association during all four years he was in office. I got the contract signed within six months. We have honored our agreements and, contrary to Warren’s false statements, have not sought to reopen or change the contract in any way.

The mayor and trustees have a fiduciary responsibility to protect taxpayer dollars and eliminate unnecessary expenditures. We provide our employees with fair compensation and generous benefits, and we are grateful for their efforts in providing great services to our residents.

Our department heads and administrator, as well as the trustees and I, are committed to maintaining a positive, productive relationship with our employees and their representatives.

Finally, his false claim that the village has patronage positions, and that a village employee participated in campaign activities for me, is demonstrably false. I have never done so and never will.

Ironically, Warren did that very thing when he used his assistant for campaign activities during the workday and was sanctioned by the village trustees by resolution from the board on May 23, 2023.

His record of delusional falsehoods both while in office and after does a disservice to the village, its taxpayers and employees.

William M. Manger Jr.

Mayor

Village of Southampton

In a letter in March 2023 from her attorney to the village’s labor counsel, a former secretary to the mayor leveled accusations of sexual harassment against him, but no lawsuit was ever filed based on those specific allegations — Ed.