Rental Registry Tests Democratic Principles

One of the recurring themes in the debate about the East Hampton Town registry of rental properties has been that the members of the town board have ignored the views of those who have spoken out against it. Going further, some speakers at town board meetings, as well as other observers, have argued that a show of opponents’ hands should be the determining factor. To do anything else would be tyranny, they say. Well, maybe. But a brief civics reminder should dispel that particular conclusion. 

Government in the United States is based on the organizing principle of representative democracy, which is meant to prevent both despotic leadership and mob rule. This holds true at the federal level and in East Hampton, where town board members sit at the will of the voters and elections are held to give those voters a regularly timed and meaningful opportunity to change course. 

Elected board members need not necessarily be swayed by outspoken crowds. Instead, they are empowered to decide matters based on personal convictions and the best available information. This is why, for example, the Army Corps project in Montauk was not instantly shut down when voices were raised against it and why the town board was likely to look past the protests of rental registry opponents, especially those that were self-serving.

Giving East Hampton Town officials new tools to shut down the illegal hot-mattress business here is in the community’s best interest — precisely what the town board was elected to serve. A show of hands, while valuable to consider, should not in and of itself be the basis of policy.