Letters

The Southampton Village Board is considering a permissive referendum to extend the terms of the mayor and trustees from two years to four [“Southampton Village Schedules Hearing on Proposal To Extend Term Lengths for Mayor and Trustees,” 27east.com, October 25].

I recall that, 15 or so years ago, the voters turned down a similar proposal when it was offered as part of a regular village election.

There are good arguments for extending the terms of the mayor and trustees, as well as good arguments for leaving their current terms untouched.

A permissive referendum, as the Village Board is now considering, requires a certain number of voters to first sign a petition asking for a public vote before the public can actually vote. Without the petition, the permissive referendum becomes local law without all of the voters’ input.

Who should decide how long the terms of the mayor and trustees are — the five people already on the Village Board, or the 1,500 or so voters who come out during a typical election?

If the board is truly representing the public, which I am sure they are, why don’t they just simplify the process and pass a resolution without petition to hold a public referendum at the next scheduled village election?

Paul L. Robinson

Southampton Village

Robinson is a former Southampton Village Board member — Ed.