Meet The Candidate: Jimmy Mack For Southampton Town Trustee

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Suffolk County residents are heading to the polls Tuesday to elect local representatives and make their voices heard.

Residents will weigh in on the race to represent one of the 18 legislative districts in Suffolk County, vote for Suffolk County District Attorney and Sheriff (both are running unopposed) — and choose their local town elected officials.

On the South Fork, 10 candidates are running for five Southampton Town Trustee seats. Jimmy Mack, on the Democratic and Working Families line, is running against Matthew Parsons, a Democrat, Hannah Pell-O'Farrell, Democratic, Conservative, Joseph Mc Loughlin, Democratic, Sara Topping, Democratic, Working Families, John Carson, Republican, Conservative, Scott M Horowitz, Republican, Conservative, Chip Maran, Republican,Bill Parash Republican, Conservative, and Ed Warner Jr., Republican, Conservative.

Name

Jimmy Mack

How old will you be as of Election Day?

68

Does your campaign have a website?

Instagram: jimmymackfortrustee

What city or town do you live in?

North Sea, Southampton

What office are you seeking?

Southampton Town Trustee

Party affiliation

Democrat/Working Families Party

Education

BS, Boston University, 1980

What is your occupation?

Property Management

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

My husband, Brian Mott, works at Peconic Landing. My mother, Fay Mack is a renowned local artist. My brother, Billy Mack, owns First Coastal.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

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

I have long-held beliefs that providing service to my community is imperative. This position provides the perfect marriage of those beliefs with my passion for our local environment.

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

Our antiquated septic systems are in dire need of overhaul. Fertilizers and other lawn waste are corrupting our aquifers and waterways.

How are federal issues impacting local government?

The current federal government has abdicated all responsibility of environmental stewardship. It is up to state and local officials to raise the alarm and call the general public to action.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

There are 10 candidates running for the five trustee positions. My fellow Democrats share my growing concern for the health of our local aquaculture. Other candidates would be hard to match my unique combination of personal local history and proven track record of working with local organizations focused on water and the environment.

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

I want to emphasize the public’s role in successful and sustained stewardship of our valuable natural resources.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I am currently serving on the Boards of Directors of STAR AquaCenter, Moriches Bay Project, Southampton Village Ocean Rescue and Southampton Volunteer Ambulance (SVA). I am currently the Chairman of the Board of the SVA Directors. Last year, I was awarded the Suffolk County Healthcare Hero of the Year for 2024 as well as the SVA EMT of the Year. In my capacity at SVA, I have managed budgets and seen the construction of our new building successfully to completion.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I grew up on Seafield Point in Westhampton Beach in a home surrounded by water, directly across from Rogers Beach. (The house is now owned by my brother Billy Mack.) My first job was ocean lifeguarding there at age 17. I graduated from Westhampton Beach High School in 1975, then from Boston University in 1980. In 1981, I moved into Manhattan where I had a career in advertising until 1992. I left Manhattan in October 1992 to enter Seafield Center, the drug and alcohol rehab located on the very street I had grown up on. I have been sober ever since. I walked away from that 28-day stay at Seafield with an overwhelming understanding that in order to stay sober, I had to make community service my number one priority. As a man living with HIV, I poured my efforts into charities like GMHC, God‘s Love We Deliver, ACT-UP, and Love Heals, the Alison Gertz Foundation for AIDS Education. I spent 15 years as an HIV-positive speaker for Love Heals, sharing my inspirational story to thousands of middle and high school students throughout the tri-state area. I began a full-time job on Robins Island in 1995 and lived in Flanders for several years before moving to Sag Harbor. J have continued to work on both Robins Island and Cow Neck Farms since 1995. I currently live in North Sea with my husband Brian and rescue dog Sammy.