What first inspired you to get involved in public service and, eventually, to run for mayor of Southampton?
When I was a young boy here in Southampton, my father knew some of the board members on the board of trustees. I met them over the years. Once, my father brought me down to see the police station. I remember meeting the police chief and thinking it was all fascinating. I thought maybe I could serve the village and try to enhance it while also preserving the characteristics that made it such a popular place to come to. Combined with my interest in political science, especially American politics, that really drove me to want to serve.
Southampton becomes one of the most high-profile destinations in the country each summer. What do you think makes the village so special and timeless?
It’s because we’ve been able to retain the small-town character even while we’ve grown and become more popular. It’s something that’s very appealing because it’s harder and harder to find that type of atmosphere or environment in the world, let alone this country. It’s great to be able to come to a place where it still feels a little old-school.
What are some of your biggest priorities and initiatives for Southampton this summer season?
This summer, we have two huge things going on in Southampton. One is the U.S. Open, which was played at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Right after that, we have the 250th anniversary of the United States, and we’re known as having the largest Fourth of July parade on Long Island. And we’re planning to have it be even bigger and better this year. We’re also going to have the local intermediate school put together a time capsule. Fifty years from now, they’re going to open it and see what was going on in Southampton at the 250th anniversary of the United States.
As the Hamptons evolves with a younger generation buying homes Out East, how do you hope Southampton continues to grow while still preserving its character and history?
What I’m trying to do as mayor is to allow it to grow in a smart way. For example, I just added a new playground to the Village of Southampton. We try to have that friendly appeal, which I think is what draws people here and keeps them coming back. But again, we’re also trying to appeal to families and what their needs are. We want to keep downtown vibrant and the businesses strong and healthy. And I think it attracts people to want to be here and be part of this community, where you feel like you’re part of the village.
What role do small businesses and local entrepreneurs play in shaping the Southampton community?
They definitely shape the entire downtown. We have everything from high-priced Italian to pizza parlors, so we want to keep that mix. And that keeps people wanting to come to our village to go out to different restaurants and bars. Some of the stores that we still have here, have been held in the same families for hundreds of years, literally like 150 years. We want to keep the downtown as vibrant as possible because, again, that’s what’s healthy for the village. For those who live here, they want a downtown that’s still vibrant, and for visitors, it’s a reason to come and want to see Southampton.
When you actually have a free summer day, what does your ideal Southampton day look like?
When I’m not in Village Hall, I like to decompress a little bit. I might go work out, then head to the beach, meet up with friends, spend time with my family, and either have dinner at home or go out to one of the great restaurants in the village.
What’s your vision for the future of Southampton?
I’ll tell you some of the things we’ve been working on recently that I think will help the village. We need to improve the cell service in Southampton because, as you know, not many people use landlines anymore. Everyone uses cell phones, so we need to be able to provide that service. We also want to put in this wastewater treatment plant that will take care of the central business district, and all the restaurants and stores will be hooked up to it. And so that will actually allow us to put some apartments on the second floor of some of the businesses. We just think that would be hugely transformative for the village. And we might be able to get that in the next five years.
How do you define good leadership in a community like Southampton?
Good leadership, I think, means you spend a lot of time listening to your constituents and working well with those who work for the Village. I think the key, though, is listening to people and, obviously, doing what you think is right. It’s always about choosing the hard right over the easy wrong. The most important thing is to make sure that the village is a safe and secure place for people to live, raise their families, have their business, and enjoy.
