Letters

At now former Southampton Village Trustee Gina Arresta’s last meeting, during what was essentially a lame-duck session for Mayor Bill Manger’s 5-0 supermajority, an alarming resolution was quietly passed. This resolution, sneaked onto the agenda with less than 24 hours’ notice, deserves our full attention and scrutiny.

The resolution pays the former village administrator, Charlene Kagel-Betts, $175 per hour for her time in connection with any testimony required by and in connection with her former employment by the village.

Why is the village paying someone who is actively litigating against it? This is not only a violation of its fiduciary responsibility but also grossly irresponsible to all village residents and taxpayers.

There are serious questions about the rationale behind this decision. The resolution passed with no explanation, no public discussion and no transparency.

Charlene previously sued the village and the village mayor and lost in Suffolk County Supreme Court. She not only lost her frivolous and politically motivated suit but was heavily criticized by the judge, who described her as having a “misunderstanding of the job” and noted her “apparent self-importance.”

Residents should know that Charlene Kagel-Betts also was actively involved in campaigning for Gina Arresta and Len Zinnanti. She engaged in phone banking and voter outreach, clearly aligning herself with their and Manger’s political agenda. Now, suspiciously, she is being compensated by the village she previously sued and is still appealing the decision she lost.

Furthermore, the resolution includes no cap on the $175-per-hour fee. This opens the door to potentially exorbitant costs.

The entire situation reeks of poor governance, political retribution, patronage, and gross misuse and abuse of taxpayer money. All this is occurring while hard-working village and CSEA employees are being nickel-and-dimed.

Village residents deserve answers. We need to understand the full scope and implications of this decision. Why was this resolution passed in such a secretive manner? What is the true purpose of this payment? And, importantly, how can this be justified as good government?

It is time for The Southampton Press and village residents to demand transparency and accountability. We must not allow our village to be governed by clandestine decisions that waste public funds and undermine trust in our local government.

David Rung

Southampton Village