New Candidate Throws Hat Into Ring To Vie For Fred Thiele's Seat

EAST END, NY — The race is on as a second candidate has stepped up to vie for Fred Thiele's New York State Assembly District 1 seat. Thiele announced last week that he would not be running again after nearly 30 years at the post.

Stephen Kiely, current Shelter Island town attorney, announced the news on social media this week: "I am extremely proud and humbled to announce that I received the Suffolk County Republican nomination to run for the New York State Assembly District #1, which encompasses the crown jewels of the State of New York: Southold, Southampton, Shelter Island, East Hampton, and the easternmost portion of Brookhaven."

He added: "I am eager to relentlessly champion our shared East End vision on the floor of the New York State Capitol, including the protection and preservation of home rule against gubernatorial overreach. I seek to serve as a bulwark between our cherished farmland, parks, beaches, and small towns and those who are advocating for high density development."

Further, he said: "As the East End is not immune to the creeping crime problem I will push to reevaluate and amend the dubious criminal justice reforms and advocate for the revocation of the ill-conceived sanctuary state executive order. A commonsense attorney, schooled in the drafting and interpreting of laws, with a healthy respect for constitutional restraints, and well versed on the issues of every municipality within the district, is exactly what is needed at this time to address our housing, crime, migrant, drug, education and environmental crises."

Speaking with Patch, Kiely said he believes he is "tailor-made" for the position. While waging a recent campaign for a Southold town board seat last year, Kiely said he was "energized" by what he called Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposal for a "high-density" housing plan that he said could "infringe on home rule."

Kiely mentioned Hochul's proposed New York Housing Compact, which would include building 800,000 new homes, about 50 per community, especially near transit hubs; his concern is that the governor will seek out vacant land, possibly on the East End, and restrict funding to municipalities that do not embrace rezoning. Kiely said he is also concerned about the use of eminent domain to procure that land.

Second, Kiely hopes to take a tough stand on crime; in addition to fighting for Hochul to rescind the sanctuary state designation, he hopes to curtail the smoking of marijuana on public streets.

He's also said New York does not allow judges currently to "take into account the dangerousness of defendants" and said he'd like to amend current criminal procedure law; as it stands, there are warrants issued for U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement officials to deport those who are in the country illegally, but local police are prohibited from sharing residency status, he said. "It's crazy, and I'm going to push for that," Kiely said.

He added that he'd like to, on the issue of redistricting, maintain the current new map, which was created by a bi-partisan committee and approved by a 9 to 1 vote.

"We need some healthy dialogue," Kiely said. "We need voices on both sides to come together. This is not a fiefdom."

Kiely, who lives in Mattituck, reflected: "I can't think of anyone more qualified for this position," he said. He's served in the town attorney's office in Riverhead, Southold, Southampton and on Shelter Island, and done much work through his private practice in East Hampton, he said.

His in-laws, he said, live on Shelter Island and he spent much of his youth in Sag Harbor, where his parents had a house."I know this entire district inside and out."

As a town attorney, Kiely said he is adept at writing local laws. "What's the number one job of a legislator?" he asaked. "To write laws and understand what they say, so there are no unintended consequences." He said he believes his opponent, Democrat and current Southampton Town Councilman Tommy Schiavoni, lacks that experience.

In addition, Kiely said he'd like to continue Thiele's work with the Community Preservation Fund and "keep that healthy for as long as possible."

Kiely believes "you need a loudmouth like myself to make sure the East End is heard. We're the furthest Assembly district from Albany and we are consistently ignored. I need to make sure we are heard loud and clear."

Looking to fill Thiele's seat, Sag Harbor native Schiavoni, a Democrat, announced last week that he is s running for election to the New York State Assembly, District 1, in November.

Schiavoni said he has been a public servant for the entirety of his adult life beginning as a teacher in 1988, and upon his retirement from the Center Moriches School District after 32 years teaching social studies, history and government, he was elected to his first of two terms on the Southampton town board.

Prior to the town board, Schiavoni served on the Southampton Town ZBA, the North Haven Village Board and ZBA, and the Sag Harbor School Board.

He said that he "was raised in the trades," working for G.F. Schiavoni Plumbing and Heating, which was run first by his grandfather, then his father and now his brothers.

Born on the East End and now raising his children here, Schiavoni said he is "committed to the people and the balance of hard work and nature that makes the Twin Forks special to those who live and visit Peconic."

He added: "I am running for the New York State Assembly for the same reason that I sought every office thus far, to maintain what is best about our community and make changes for the better where we need them. I understand how people can benefit from good government, and I will use my education and experience in Albany to improve the day-to-day lives of all East Enders.".

Thiele spoke out about his decision last week.

"I have successfully run for public office 19 times and have served the East End in the State Assembly longer than any other person in the history of New York State," Thiele, a Democrat, said. "I now look forward to other opportunities to serve the community that has been home to my family for almost 200 hundred years."

He added: "Government service was my dream from my days as a student in elementary school in Sag Harbor when I heard the call of President John F. Kennedy to 'ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.' Being chosen by my neighbors to be their representative has truly been the greatest honor of my professional life."

First, Thiele said he wanted to thank his family for the role that they played in his career of public service.

"To the inspiration I drew from long-ago dinner table political discussions with my dad and my mom’s determination that her kids have a better life, to the sacrifices that all my family members have made along the way, I could not have fulfilled my dream without them. My wife, Nancy Lynn, my children, grandchildren, and my sister continue to be my source of strength."

Thiele also expressed gratitude to his many mentors, who he said sparked his passion and gave him the confidence to take the next step. Teachers including Coach Vishno and Steve Petras at Pierson High School and professors such as Don Baker at Southampton College, he said, provided direction and guidance along the way.

"I will always be indebted to my predecessor, the late John Behan, who gave me the chance to come home and begin my professional life. A true American hero, John’s life was an example to all on what it means to be a leader," Thiele said.

Thiele also thanked those that have fought beside him to preserve his constituents' quality of life.

"I had the chance to serve with former State Senator Ken LaValle in Albany for 25 years. He is the definition of a 'statesman,'" Thiele said. "I cherish the special bond we developed through the years that transcended government and politics."

He also quoted Althea Gibson, who said, "No matter what accomplishments you make. Somebody helps you."

Thiele said he has been blessed by great staff throughout his career.

"I thank them all, but especially Denise McRedmond here in the district and Lisa Lombardo in Albany who have been the MVPs of Team Thiele for so many years. My thanks also to Joann Scalia with whom I worked in collaboration with Senators LaValle and Palumbo. It often seemed like we had two offices, but only one staff. "

Thiele looked back upon the victories and achievements that have marked his lengthy tenure in public office, "most notably the Community Preservation Fund. There have been many successes that have kept eastern Long Island a special place. It has been a privilege to have the opportunity to shape the future of our community and to work with others to achieve goals that are larger than ourselves. That has been one of the rewards of public service."

But at the heart of all that he has worked to achieve, it is the people whose lives he's touched who are his richest legacy, Thiele said.

"The greatest reward is the people and relationships I made along the way. What I will remember most is the people with which I have had the chance to work or the opportunity to help as a public official. I have been enriched by each of you. It is what defines the East End. There have been thousands of you throughout the years. Still, I must give a special mention to Kevin McDonald from the Nature Conservancy. We started our professional careers at the same time and have worked together on so many important community issues over the years. There has seldom been a day in my life that has not included a conversation with Kevin."

Looking ahead, Thiele said: "At the end of this year, I will close this chapter of my life. I look forward to new beginnings. There will be new challenges and new ways to serve. Endings and beginnings are bittersweet. I am guided by the advice of Dr. Seuss: 'Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.'"