Attorney To Wage Primary Against Incumbent Town Supervisor

MATTITUCK, NY — Mattituck attorney Stephen Kiely announced his intention of waging a Republican primary against incumbent Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell in June.

Kiely told Patch he wants to "offer residents a choice."

His goals, Kiely said, include "maintaining quality of life while simultaneously protecting our agriculture and maritime history and integrity."

Should he win the race, Kiely said goals include implementing term limits for policy-making officials, including the town board and town supervisor – he'd like to see a maximum of three, four-year terms, for a total of 12 years.

"I think it's necessary, because you don't want an institutional dynasty," Kiely said. "The power of incumbency is great. The incumbent has the upper hand in any election and I just think there should be fresh turnover — fresh, new ideas and faces. It will give the legislators the incentive to get things done sooner than later."

Should he be elected, Kiely said he's like to "foster communication with the business community. The product of Scott being there for so long is, of course, as supervisor, you have to tell people 'no' from time to time — and it creates tension. And sometimes you say 'no' when it's not warranted and people lose trust. I think the trust has been broken with a certain segment of the business community," Kiely said.

When asked what businesses he was referring to, Kiely responded: "It's broad. I have people coming up to me from every facet — restaurants, wineries, farm, retail."

Kiely, who said he wrote the legislation for the transient rental law and the historic protection district in Southold, said the town's current code needs to be cleaned up for the business community. "There's no predicability and a lot of gray areas. How can you invest when you don't know what the answers are? We need someone a little more diplomatic and innovative to deal with the business community." He added, "I don't like passing regulation for the sake of regulation. I think it has to be clear and enforceable."

Goals also include bringing "real and even-handed code enforcement. I don't have to sell anyone on my expertise with code enforcement. I know how to do it and it's not being done properly. You have to get serous about it and devote some resources to it. All these laws are toothless if you don’t devote resources to it."

Kiely would also like to create a recreational facility in Southold Town. "Our town desperately needs, deserves and wants it and I'll ensure that it happens."

On why he decided to challenge Russell, Kiely said: "I think Scott has done some good things over the years. I'm not here to bash him. But after many years, anything gets stale and morale, a little low. I just think Town Hall needs an injection of fresh air." Russell, he said, has worked in Town Hall for 29 years, 15 as an assessor and 14 as town supervisor. "I don’t think politics should be a career," Kiely said.

Kiely said his experience includes stints in the town attorney's office in the Town of Brookhaven, as well as the Southampton Town attorney's office, time in private practice, a position at the county clerk's office, and then two years as an assistant town attorney in Southold. He is also a prosecutor for the Village of Greenport and the Village of Westhampton Dunes and an independent contractor for Suffolk County, doing holiday and weekend arraignments out of Riverhead Justice Court. He's currently in private practice in Mattituck, specializing in land use, zoning and municipal law. Last year, he ran unsuccessfully for a New York State Supreme Court Judge's seat.

(Lisa Finn)

Russell speaks out

Russell responded to questions via email: "Mr. Kiely screened with the Republicans for supervisor, town board and tax receiver. He's all over the place. He threatened to run a primary against me if they didn't nominate him for tax receiver. The committee decided to nominate a highly regarded CPA who's donated countless hours to this community instead of him."

Southold Receiver of Taxes George Sullivan opted not to throw his hat back into the proverbial ring; newcomer to the political arena Kelly Fogarty, a Mattituck CPA, was tapped to run for the post.

On the issue of term limits, Russell said: "We already have term limits. It's called the ballot box. Let the public decide when terms end."

And speaking on Kiely's accusation that the town is lacking in code enforcement efforts, Russell said: "In four years we have focused a great deal on expanding enforcement by putting it under the supervision of the town attorney and adding to the staff." Kiely, Russell said, claims code enforcement "is not good enough, and then says we're over-regulated. Huh?"

Of Kiely's allegation of tensions in the business community, Russell said: "Oddly, any friction that may exist is with a narrow band of businesses as result of enforcement of the very code he says we don't. However, we need to balance that with quality of life for the residents. The businesses of this town vary too widely to make such a general statement. We have very good relationships and enjoy working with them as we seek to address their needs. We should be focusing on strong fiscal management, affordable housing, recreational facilities, grants to small businesses and land preservation — not contrived arguments. My experience addressing every facet of town government makes me the only qualified candidate in this race. Having been re-elected a few times says to me that I must have been doing something right. My opponent's moving from one politically appointed job to another — several times — speaks volumes."

A new recreational facility , Russell said, "isn't a goal. We are on the precipice of making it a reality."

The Southold Town Republican Committee unveiled its candidates on Feb. 24, nominating Russell to run again for the supervisor's seat; the Southold Town Democratic Committee announced its slate of candidates on Feb. 26, tapping Greg Doroski as the town supervisor candidate.

When nominated by the Dems, Doroski also outlined his goals: "I'm running for Southold Town to preserve our future," he said. "Our community needs visionary leaders who feel a sense of urgency, and are able to ask questions, build consensus, broker compromise, and find lasting solutions to preserve our community."

Russell, after the GOP nominating convention, said he very honored. "I look forward to serving the public for another four years," he said. Should he win, Russell said he plans to "continue my approach to government, which is balance. The actions we take today and balancing the currents needs we have versus future consequences, whether it be the budget, land use, zoning or preservation. We can do both; we have been doing both."

After the meeting, Russell also said: "Fiscal policy is now, and should remain, on a pay-as-you-go approach."

The lack of affordable housing in Southold is the town's biggest crisis, Russell said. The supervisor also said that the town has a "very ambitious preservation program and have been able to achieve a great deal of success without jeopardizing property rights."

Looking ahead, Russell said the town needs to accommodate the changing needs of the business climate, "but we need to keep in mind that changing the code can't be based on impulse or narrow demands. Changes require careful consideration both in meeting short-term goals but still understanding the long-term consequences. The code can't change with the tides. It has served us well and is what has ensured that Southold remain the town that it is. Some people say that the evolving new industries have put Southold 'on the map'. It's quite the opposite. Southold was already on the map. In fact, that's how they found us. A town so nice that people want to be a part of it."

The Republican primary will be held on June 25.