Day laborers and a controversial hiring site have become the central issues in the Southampton mayoral race.

First-term Mayor Mark Epley wants another term, despite the passage of "a challenging two years."

Epley proposed turning a park across from a North Shore Road convenience store into a day laborer hiring site, an idea met with intense resistance within the community. A judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking workers from the site after Aldrich Lane homeowners sued the village.

Former village board member Jim McFarlane has addressed the hiring site in his campaign against Epley. McFarlane insists it is the town or county's responsibility to find a site. McFarlane supports establishing a hiring hall outside of the village.

Still, Epley defends his plan.

"Without organization, you have chaos," he said. "And that's what we have right now."

The Village of Southampton election is on Friday, June 15.