The Southold Town Anti-Bias Task Force’s annual Unity Picnic was filled with fellowship at the Peconic Lane Community Center on Saturday, as residents from throughout the town gathered together for an afternoon of food, conversation and music from pianist Asen Roussan and sea shanties from Ethel’s Mermen.
The Task Force has been facing budget cuts this year, the group’s organizers told us earlier this week, but a task force member purchased a tent for the occasion, and Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski showed up barefoot Saturday morning to help set up the tent.
It was a true community effort, with recently retired Public Works employee John Jerome, “JJ,” volunteering to man the grill and visits from town police officers who’d spent the morning patrolling Greenport on bicycle, along with former Town Supervisor Scott Russell, who was supervisor when the Unity Picnic first began nearly two decades ago.
“I saw so many people here this morning volunteering,” said Mr. Krupski, who thanked town employees Zach and Michelle Tomaszewski for bringing in flowers that morning. “JJ was amazing.”
“If it wasn’t for you, we would have never had picnics,” Master of Ceremonies Valerie Shelby told Mr. Russell.
“It’s not because of me that you have this event. It’s because of the work of the Anti-Bias Task Force,” said Mr. Russell. “You’re the most committed group of people I’ve worked with in 33 years in government…. Nobody holds a candle to this group. You built it from the ground up. All people like Supervisor Krupski has to do is support you and let you get to work. The tactics of this group are to build relationships in this community, not through confrontation, not through conflict but through understanding, dialogue and mutual admiration and respect. That is why you have the success you’ve had.”
Mr. Russell also praised John Jerome for his volunteer spirit.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying retirement. I can’t go to a town event without seeing him there. I don’t know whether to thank him for his commitment to the community or file a restraining order,” joked Mr. Russell.
Many attendees spoke eloquently about the need for unity in a divisive time.
“It’s great to bring different walks of life together and we’re happy to be a part of that. We’re here to support you — that’s what it’s all about,” said Southold Town Police Lieutenant Bill Brewer.
“Your work is so important,” said Councilwoman Anne Smith. “The smaller things you do that no one knows about — they’re seen and they’re really important to us. Whether you’re quietly speaking up for neighbors or loudly speaking up on policy, supporting our neighbors and public safety — maybe you’re praying at a vigil — but everyone here makes our community who we are and what we stand up for.”
She added that the town needs to know what becoming a Bias-Free Community looks like, and how to take steps to get there.
“It’s important work,” said Greenport Village Trustee Lily Dougherty-Johnson. “We’ve all seen incidents in our community lately where we know that this work is really important. It’s good to see people supporting it.”
Greenport Village Mayor Kevin Stuessi thanked members of the community who were present for serving on the town’s Public Safety Task Force, convened in February to discuss how to ensure the public is safe during federal immigration enforcement efforts here.
“Pay attention to that very important conversation,” he said.
“What would you say if this should be the last one?” asked Councilman Brian Mealy of the picnic. They answered with a heartfelt ‘nooooooo.’ “We have a commitment to serve our community, and if we continue our service, we can’t go wrong.”
Mr. Mealy called three of his mentors up to the front — Lynn Summers, Leroy Heyliger and Rona Smith — and honored them for their work helping to found the Anti-Bias Task Force, and their commitment to “acceptance, civility and love. What three things do we need more that we are dealing with today in our society? Love can conquer anything.”
He added that he’s found it difficult to be “punched on the left and punched on the right” as the town considers the work of the Public Safety Task Force.
“This is what I see when we’re going through touch decisions,” he said of the group gathered there. “How do you keep as many people safe as possible and make the right decision? I freely admit that I don’t know anything, but I can seek people in the community — people who are prayerful and have positive thoughts. We can make our society better… What’s our positive responses to the negative things that are happening in our community?”
“Unity for all!” said ABTF co-chair Sylvia Daley.
“I can’t top that,” said co-chair Emily Geiger. “We’re just glad you’re here.”
“I heard that we don’t need picnics, but we need some unity in this community,” said Ms. Shelby. “Write letters to the town and tell them we need this. We need to come together. We don’t want people to fear our community.”
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