Supervisor Candidates Sound Off

On Nov. 5, residents Southampton will be asked to a Southampton Supervisor. Vying in the race is Southampton Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, a democrat, who is being challenged by republican Linda Kabot, who is a former Southampton supervisor.

Patch recently asked the candidates a series of questions. The following are their responses in their own words.

Why are you running for office?

Kabot: Southampton Town needs competent leadership and real results. I am running to provide the voters with a choice for Southampton Town Supervisor. If elected, I will provide strong, independent leadership and open, honest government as demonstrated by my prior service as Supervisor and Councilwoman.

Over the course of this campaign, I have spoken with thousands of voters about their concerns for the future of Southampton Town. People want more responsive representation in Southampton Town Hall and a results-oriented focus.

Why should taxpayers vote for you?

Throne-Holst: I am running on my record of setting finances straight, reorganizing town hall to be more efficient and looking at the large, regional big picture items as well, including the degradation of our waters and the development of our land. I want to protect ourcommunity character and our way of life here, as well as keep it affordable so people can live here.

Kabot: I have a proven track record as a fiscal conservative. I have held the line on property taxes, cut government spending, streamlined regulatory processes, supported local businesses, and ensured proactive code enforcement to safeguard neighborhoods and property values. I have earned a reputation as a dedicated Town Official who has demonstrated courage, fortitude, and being responsive to the needs of Town residents and taxpayers.

With a solid background in Town government administration, public policy formation, municipal finance, and constituent services, I have a substantial working knowledge about land use law, zoning and Town budgetary matters. I am conversant on the issues that are important to community members throughout the entire township. I have demonstrated principled leadership as an elected official and delivered on the campaign platform promises made in prior elections.

I am proud of my record of accomplishments on behalf of the people of Southampton Town, and that includes my time serving as Supervisor during the worst economic downturn that we have faced since the Great Depression. Despite the current Supervisor’s repeated attempts to besmirch my reputation with distortions of the truth, people know that I am honest, hard-working, and I really did the heavy-lifting to slash millions in government spending, put our Town back on the right track financially, and safeguard our Town’s creditworthiness.

As supervisor, I took the critical steps necessary to put the Town on “solid financial footing*,” as concluded by the NYS Comptroller’s Report, having reviewed 2008 and 2009 finances, the corrective actions that I spearheaded and my 2010 budget recovery plan which was implemented. The Feb. 2010 Moody's Credit Report applauded my administration for its "conservative and transparent financial management ... swift and effective response to correct the internal accounting procedures ... and adoption of formal policies ...**" Plus – Moody’s indicated that future bond rating actions will heavily weight the Town Board’s compliance with my 2010 Budget Plan, adopted in Nov. 2009.

What do you see as the top 3 issues facing the Town?

Throne-Holst: I think it is a combination of continuing to address the overcrowding and code enforcement issues in parts of town that are burdened by that. It is also addressing the degradation of our waters, our surface water and our ground water and realizing that our waterways are the basis for our economic engine for the East End and making sure that the development plans that are before us now and that are coming before us, are addressed in a way it is community sensitive, but also strikes a balance between healthy economic development and in keeping with the community character.

Kabot: As stated earlier, in addition to providing continued fiscal prudence for Town finances, the top three priorities for local government are:

• Delivering Proactive Code Enforcement to preserve property values, improve quality of life in neighborhoods (particularly west of the Shinnecock Canal – Hampton Bays, Flanders, Riverside)

If the Town had the money, what major project would you like to see the town undertaken?

Kabot: There are a host of different capital projects that should be undertaken if financial resources were available, but most importantly, the condition of the town’s roads and certain critical infrastructure tops the list. For example, public safety and drainage improvements for our highways is paramount, sidewalk connections are necessary, particularly near schools where children walk and ride their bicycles.