Southold GOP Unveils Slate For November Election

SOUTHOLD, NY — It's a slate comprised of familiar faces with a few newcomers in the mix as the Southold Republican Committee unveiled their slate for the upcoming election after a nominating convention held at the American Legion Tuesday night.

Nominees include incumbents Jim Dinizio and Bob Ghosio for town board seats, incumbents John Bredemeyer and Mike Domino, as well as newcomer Greg Williams, running for town trustee positions, incumbent Kevin Webster and Charles Sanders, currently a town trustee, in the race for town assessor seats, incumbent Vincent Orlando for town highway superintendent, longtime town clerk Betty Neville running again for her post, Eileen Powers for town justice, and Louisa Evans, who is once again running for her longtime seat as Fishers Island justice.

Dinizio said he was thrilled to run again. "The first four years were so much fun, I decided I wanted to do it again," he said. "I know a lot more now than I did."

The sitting councilman said he's learned a great deal about the workings of the civil service system and also about management and instituting efficiencies.

Ghosio said he wants to continue his work on issues including land management, bringing additional individuals into the process, and helicopter noise, a constantly "evolving" concern, critical especially now that East Hampton is engaged in a lawsuit. "I would love to see that resolved. I don't know that we're ever going to see that, but I'd hopefully love to wrap that up in the next term," he said.

Orlando said he was "humbled and honored" to once again represent the Southold Town Republican Committee. While the job might not seem "exciting," he said the position is deeply rewarding, and noted how critical it is to keep the town's roads and infrastructure safe for residents.

Neville, who has been working in Town Hall since 1968 and as town clerk since 1998, said she just loves her position. "Every day is different," she said. "Helping people is satisfying and gratifying. I just love it."

Sanders, also commander of the Southold American Legion Griswold Terry Glover Post 803 said he's "very excited" by the run for a new post and, as a real estate agent, the position is "really a good fit." As a veteran himself who has served two tours in Afghanistan and recently returned from a tour of Guantanamo Bay detention camp, he wants to be sure all the veterans in Southold Town know about veterans' exemptions available. Those exemptions, he said, are hugely important. "It helped me a lot when the market crashed in 2008 and I came this close to losing my house," he said.

Bredemeyer said he's completing his 18th year as a town trustee, a "high honor," as the trustees are one of the oldest democratic institutions in America, an honor he cherishes. Current projects include a new signage notification for shell fishers regarding permit requirements, as well as a future plan to bring contract licensing provisions for a wetlands ordinance so "those abusing the privilege of having a trustee permit will be held to a different set of consequences." He said he's happy to use his skill set to help the town.

Williams, owner of Country Time Cycle, said he decided to enter the race because, as a lifelong North Fork resident who grew up on Deep Hole Creek, and whose family has always had a boat, he's committed to preserving the waterways for his generation, his children, and future grandchildren, fighting back against nitrogen infiltration and algal blooms.

Powers, who waged a primary for the town justice seat in 2015, said she believes her experience as a former prosecutor makes her uniquely qualified for the position.

Webster was honored by the nomination. "I feel like it's the perfect job for me," he said, adding that assessors are able to help residents with deed transfers and tax exemptions, and also, "making sure they have a fair assessment from Orient to Laurel." His goals include wanting to "keep what we have there solid. We have a great group of people in our office." It's important to answer all questions from residents, he said, and, "from farmers to veterans to firefighters, making sure all the exemptions are processed properly for people."

Evans and Domino were not present for the nominations.

Peter McGreevy, chair of the Southold Republican Committee, said he was pleased with the outcome. "We have a very good slate, a full, strong slate of incumbents and a few qualified newcomers who have the experience to take us across the winning line." The new faces, he said, may be new to politics but are not new to Southold. "They're lifelong residents with experience in town who are willing to use that experience and give back to the community as elected officials," he said.

Of the nominations, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell, who was onhand at the event, said, "I am sure the committee had some difficult decisions to make. They picked the candidates who they feel will give us the best chance to win in November and to continue the Republican tradition of good government."

The Southold Town Democratic Committee held its nominating convention last week.