Candidate Profile: Scott Russell For Southold Town Supervisor

SOUTHOLD, NY —Suffolk County residents will be hitting the polls next month to elect local representatives.

The race is on in local town and village races leading up to Election Day, which, this year, falls on Tuesday, November 5. Patch asked those running for office to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles in the days leading up to the election.

Scott Russell, 55, of Cutchogue, is running for re-election as Southold Town Supervisor.

His opponent is Greg Doroski (D).

Russell, a Republican, has a daughter, 18, and a son, 15. Russell graduated from Mattituck High School and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies and Government from George Washington University. He previously served as a Southold Town assessor for 15 years before first being elected to the position of Southold Town Supervisor in 2005 — he was re-elected in 2007 and 2011. Before working for the Town of Southold, he served as an aide to Congressman William Carney in Washington, D.C. and legal assistant for a Manhattan law firm.

Check out Patch's full Q&A with Scott Russell below:

Patch: The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Russell: Preservation and protection of the town's environment and quality of life. That means sound fiscal management and the use of our preservation funds for preservation only and development of sound land use codes.

P: What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?

R: I have experience, a record of accomplishments and clearly stated goals and vision. My opponent offers none of those.

P: Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

R: Implementation of our Comprehensive Plan including our past practice of substantial public participation as we identify priorities. Advancing our goals of promoting small businesses by building on past efforts such as the creation of an Economic Development Committee, pre-submission conferences with people starting a small business. Advancing even more green energy initiatives and continue strong fiscal management.

P: What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

R: Sound fiscal management that has been recognized by bond rating agencies. Proactive initiatives to promote clean energy recognized by the state's leading green energy agency. My endorsement by two leading environmental organizations for my record of environmental protection. The creation of an Economic Development Committee to actively work with small businesses.

P: The best advice ever shared with me was ...

R: "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing right," which was advice from my dad.

P: What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

R: I take a non-partisan and fair-minded approach to governing. I try to strike a balance between community goals that can sometimes be competing goals or are areas of conflict. I also believe that I am very accessible, evidenced by offering evening and weekend hours. I even posted my cell number on the town website. I am always available and always willing to listen.