Candidate Profile: Cynthia McNamara for Southampton Town Supervisor

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Residents of the city of Southampton will soon be heading to the polls to elect local representatives.

The race is in the run-up to Election Day, which, this year, falls on Tuesday, November 7.

Patch asked those running for office to answer questions about their campaigns and will post candidate profiles in the days leading up to the election.

Incumbent Southampton City Councilwoman Cynthia McNamara, a Republican, faces Maria Moore, a Democrat and current Mayor of Westhampton Beach Village, in the race for Southampton Town Supervisor, a position currently held by Jay Snyderman .

Here is Cynthia McNamara's Patch candidate profile:

How old will you be by election day?

45

Does your campaign have a website?

https://mcnamara4southampton.c…

What city or town do you live in?

East Quogue

Which office are you looking for?

Southampton Town Supervisor

Party membership

Democratic

Education

Graduated from Southampton High School

What is your occupation?

Southampton City Councillor

You have family; If so, tell us about them.

Husband Dan, married for 23 years. daughter Jocelyn, a senior at Cornell University; daughter Taylor, a freshman at SUNY ESF;

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held public office, either appointive or elective?

Vice President, East Quogue Board of Education. Southampton City Council

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about why you're running for office and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you looking for this office?

As a community advocate, I had to fight to be heard. As a councillor, I was able to create and expand committees, giving more people a voice in government. As a supervisor, I want to expand on this.

Please complete this statement: The most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I plan to do about it.

Traffic. We need the LIRR to increase sidings and add trains so more people can use the train. We also need to ask the county to re-evaluate County Road 39. It may need to be a limited access road and I would love to explore the possibility of a mobile barrier.

What needs to be done to address water quality issues in LI?

We need to build sewers in high density areas where feasible and increase the installation of entry/exit systems where they are not.

What do you think can be done to improve our infrastructure, highways, etc.?

We need to move major state and county roads so that commercial traffic stays off our residential roads.

How would you plan to help local business owners who are struggling due to high rents, inflation and labor shortages?

I will work to improve the traffic issue as previously mentioned and continue to work with the director of housing and community development to increase workforce housing in the city. I will work diligently to maximize the use of the Community Housing Fund to increase housing opportunities.

What is your position on the current immigrant situation affecting New York City? And the immigrants had to head to shelters on Long Island, how would you prepare/plan for that?

The federal government has failed to act on this issue for far too long. We struggle to provide housing and services to our own residents. I would not allow the state to direct them to our area.

What are the main differences between you and the other candidate seeking this position?

I am a current councilor serving the city, which is 300 square miles and has a diverse population of 69,000. We have a $120 million budget that I work with on a daily basis to staff our various departments and provide services to taxpayers. My legislative assignments include 8 departments and 9 departments. I am the liaison with 4 of our settlements (25,000 inhabitants) and 10 councils and committees. I also serve as a commissioner for both the Southampton Police Department and the Hampton Bays Water District. I have a strong, working knowledge of our city council and the people it serves. I am ready to step into the role of city supervisor and lead from day one. By comparison, my opponent is the mayor of a village that is 3 square miles and has a population of 1,700. He currently oversees a budget of $12 million.

What other issues do you plan to address during your campaign?

Some of the other issues I plan to address are: streamlining processes, especially in our building department. and restoring blighted properties faster and expanding community participation in government.

What past accomplishments would you cite as proof that you can handle this job?

Some of my accomplishments are: I created a trade advisory board to give our local businesses a voice in government. I voted NO on the redevelopment of the Bel-Aire Cove property, working to fulfill the community's desire for a passive, waterfront park. I started the Hometown Heroes banner program to honor our veterans by raising money for our local VFW. I helped block the county's plan to close lanes on CR39 for 2 years for a project that lacks broad public benefit. I was driven by sensible amendments to Dark Skies legislation that protects our environment and papers. I advocated for a Battery Energy Storage System moratorium to reevaluate the safety and placement of these systems. And I expanded the city's disability advisory committee to include parents of children with developmental disabilities.

What is the best advice someone has ever given you?

You don't get what you want, you get what you work for.

Is there anything else you'd like voters to know about you and your positions?

By electing me to serve as your city councilor, you have placed your trust in me and for that I thank you. I was first approached not by party leaders, but by community members about running for Southampton Town Supervisor, and that means a lot to me. It is a confirmation that you believe in the work I am doing on your behalf. It has been an honor to serve as your advisor and I hope to have earned your vote to be your next supervisor.