Candidate Profile: Maria Moore For Southampton Town Supervisor

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Southampton Town residents will be hitting the polls soon to elect local representatives.

The race is on leading up to Election Day, which, this year, falls on Tuesday, November 3.

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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.

Maria Moore, a Democrat and currently the incumbent Southampton Town Supervisor, is facing off against Republican candidate Richard Carozza to retain her seat.

Here is Patch's candidate profile of Maria Moore:

Name

Maria Moore

How old will you be as of Election Day?

66

Does your campaign have a website?

www.moore4supervisor.org

What city or town do you live in?

Westhampton Beach

What office are you seeking?

Southampton Town Supervisor

Party affiliation

Democratic

Education

Syracuse University College of Law, JD degree/University of Massachusetts Amherst, BA Pre-Law degree.

What is your occupation?

I am currently serving as Southampton Town Supervisor.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

My very supportive husband Tom, and our two amazing daughters Elizabeth, 31, and Jacqueline, 28.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My husband Tom retired in 2023 from his position as a law clerk at the Suffolk County Supreme Court (NY Unified Court System).

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

I am currently completing my second term as Southampton Town Supervisor and prior to that I served as the Mayor of Westhampton Beach from July 2014 to December 2023.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

For the opportunity to continue working with the people of Southampton Town.

What needs to be done to address water quality issues on LI?

I will continue to support town funding for the replacement of septic systems with the more effective I/A Systems as well as stormwater runoff initiatives, and will continue to make progress on the two important wastewater treatment plant projects in our hamlets of Riverside and Hampton Bays.

What do you think can be done to help improve our infrastructure, highways, etc.?

I will continue to support the town's highway department with funding, equipment and personnel to ensure that our roads are paved, and that necessary repairs are made to our sidewalks, drainage structures and culverts, as well as our many community park facilities.

How would you plan to help local business owners, who are struggling because of high rents, inflation and labor shortages?

Through its Community Housing Fund program, the town is creating workforce housing opportunities and also provides funding for first-time homebuyer downpayment assistance. These initiatives will allow more people to work where they live.

How are federal issues impacting local government?

New York State sends more money to Washington than what comes back to New York in benefits. With the reduction in federal aid, everything from food and medical care to infrastructure maintenance for bridges and roads is negatively impacted.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?

I have 13 years of governmental experience, and a background as an attorney. Experience matters.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

The creation of workforce housing, preservation of open space, and sustainability initiatives, keeping public safety a priority, and maintaining our vital infrastructure needs.

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

During my tenure as Mayor of Westhampton Beach I worked openly and respectfully with the community as I led the village in the reconstruction of the its Main Street, the installation of a wastewater collection and conveyance system for the downtown, and the creation of a downtown community park.

As supervisor I have worked through legislation with the town board prohibiting battery energy storage in residential zones, adopting a first-time homebuyer downpayment assistance program, prohibiting the clear cutting of properties, establishing an abandoned property registry, amortizing sand mines out of use in residential neighborhoods.

I've negotiated contracts with the CSEA union and the PBA, and produced three annual budgets that provide funding for necessary services for roads, parks, seniors and youth throughout the town.

We've planned for and will complete construction on a new Community Center in Westhampton, and we are currently in the design phase and have partially funded the construction of a new justice court.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am honored to serve as Southampton Town Supervisor and grateful to the residents who have entrusted me with this responsibility. I hope to continue in the position because there is more work to be done!

If re-elected, I will continue to provide for public safety, maintain our infrastructure, balance preservation of open space with the creation of affordable housing, protect our waterways, and support our seniors and youth.