Mayor-Elect Warren Is Youngest Yet

Jesse Warren’s smile was beaming ear to ear as friends, loved ones, and campaign members surrounded him after the Southampton Village election results were announced on Friday night, June 21. The 36-year-old beat out incumbent Michael Irving 450-405 to become the youngest mayor in village history.

“We had every party, every group, every age group come out to vote,” said Warren, who’s owned Tenet on Main Street since 2010, and is a member of the village Planning Commission. “Even Southampton High School students came out to vote today. We reached out to every single person in the community, we canvased every single street, and we tried to connect with everyone. This campaign was about being open to everybody and representing everybody, and that’s exactly what I want to do.”

There will also be a slew of fresh new faces on the village board. Seeking their first two-year trustee terms were Mark Parash, Andrew Pilaro, and Joseph McLoughlin, looking to fill the shoes of longtime board members Nancy McGann and Bill Hattrick who had opted not to run again. Parash, a lifelong resident and owner of Sip ’n’ Soda luncheonette, won over voters with 643 backers, while Pilaro, the president of CAP Properties Limited, a family-operated investment firm, edged out McLoughlin 443-433 for the second seat. McLoughlin, also a lifelong resident, and the youngest of the group to run, at 29 years old, is also a member of the Planning Commission.

Irving, who had served as mayor the last two years, and was a trustee for over 10 years prior, said he can’t argue with what the people want.

“In any election, it’s the people of the community that are speaking, and they feel he can do a better job,” the incumbent said. “It’s been a lot of work — a tremendous amount of work — but it’s been an absolute honor to serve the village.”

He laughed when saying he’s looking forward to taking a break, adding the best part is he can now go to the grocery store without getting stopped in every aisle. Irving said he does not plan to seek office in the future. For Warren though, it’s right to work.

“There’s a lot that needs to get done,” Warren said. “I feel extremely honored to be elected and honored to have the opportunity to serve every single resident and every single stakeholder and person in this village. I could not be happier. I’m looking forward to getting to work, working hard, and bringing forward some of the needed change to Southampton Village; working with everybody and being extremely inclusive to get that done.”

desiree@indyeastend.com