Just last week, the Southampton Town Democratic Party’s vice chair, who jokingly described herself as Chairman Gordon Herr’s “henchwoman,” went after a former elected official and a former Southampton Town Planning Board member [“Beware of Grudges,” Letters, April 24]. Why? They dared to speak out about Gordon’s alleged backroom deals, especially in light of The Southampton Press’s own editorial criticizing the party boss for eliminating choice in this November’s town elections [“Under Attack,” Editorial, April 17].
This appears to be his playbook: trying to silence anyone who questions the power structure through public attacks, bullying and intimidation. I personally experienced such bullying by text and witnessed other outbursts on nextdoor.com. It’s exactly why voters in this town are being denied a fair and open election, and why so many candidates who wanted to run were never even given the chance.
Town residents should be appalled by this type of behavior from a powerful political party boss.
Our democracy is not a joke, and our town deserves qualified candidates who represent all of us — not just the ones that fit into Gordon Herr’s limited viewfinder.
Carol Scott
Sag Harbor
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