Letters

My friend Tommy John Schiavoni is running for the New York State Assembly. I’ve known Tommy John for 16 years and I know his family as well, so this is really more of a personal recommendation than a political endorsement.

A lifelong East End resident, Tommy John started working in his family’s plumbing and heating business, learning early on a practical approach that has never left him. A deep interest in public affairs led to 32 years teaching history, government and related subjects in the Center Moriches School District.

He started at the ground floor in local government, serving on the North Haven and later the Southampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals, the North Haven Village Board, the Sag Harbor Board of Education, and, finally, the Southampton Town Council in 2017, where he continues to serve.

Coming from a background in small business and education, Tommy John is vigilant in his support of both. He works always to protect our waters and our environment generally, and to ensure that our friends and families are safe and healthy. That’s the bottom line for him.

To do a decent job in government requires integrity and courage. You can’t fool around, you can’t equivocate, you can’t play games. If you are honest and forthright, as you must be, there will be disagreements — that’s what a democracy is about, right down to the local level.

Tommy John Schiavoni exemplifies this up-front approach. He has faced disputes, but it can’t be otherwise when you’re trying to do the right thing. There will almost never be unanimous agreement on what the right thing is. You have to be straight about what you believe but ready to compromise what can be compromised in the interest of getting things done.

This is what has always motivated Tommy John Schiavoni and what will make him an outstanding member of our State Assembly. Please join me in voting for this proven public servant on November 5.

George Lynch

Quiogue

Lynch is communications director for the Southampton Town Democratic Committee — Ed.