Letters

The nomination by the Democratic Party of John Leonard for the upcoming Southampton Town Council election is mystifying to many in both its origin and its motivation.

Having moved from Sag Harbor to Hampton Bays only a few years ago, Mr. Leonard formed the Hampton Bays Alliance, whose sole purpose seemed to be advancing the cause of a developer seeking to build a multifamily apartment complex in downtown Hampton Bays with a design that was met with strong community opposition.

Early on, the Hampton Bays Alliance built support for their efforts via a communication campaign supported by some town officials and a fundraiser at the Parrish Art Museum. This takes organizing skill that Mr. Leonard seems to have, but it also takes money.

In the interest of transparency, I think it is imperative that Mr. Leonard disclose who the top contributors to the Hampton Bays Alliance are and whether or not he has received any remuneration or promise of remuneration directly or indirectly in any form, including campaign contributions, from the developer whose cause he is advancing.

In the course of his efforts, he and his supporters have personally attacked members of the Hampton Bays Civic Association, including people like Gayle Lombardi and Marion Boden. While I have not always agreed 100 percent with positions they have taken, I have never doubted their motives or their devotion to the best interests of the community.

Voters need to feel the same way about Mr. Leonard, and there are a lot of reasons not to at the present time. The old Woodward and Bernstein axiom of “Follow the money” is very appropriate in this case, until Mr. Leonard provides transparency around the origins and backing of the Hampton Bays Alliance.

Ron Schaefer

Hampton Bays