Candidate Profile: Scott Horowitz For Southampton Town Trustee

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Suffolk County residents will be hitting the polls soon 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 Horowitz, 55, of East Quogue, is running for re-election as Southampton Trustee on the Republican, Conservative and Independence lines. His opponents include Bill Pell, Ann Welker, David Mayer, Eric Shultz, Andrew Brosnan, Thea Fry, Megan Heckman, Donald Law, Edward J Warner Jr., and Frederick Havemeyer.

Horowitz and his wife Pamela have two children, Ryan and Brittany. He has a BA in Environmental Studies from Southampton College, is a 100 ton Master US Coast Guard Licensed Captain, and is a graduate of the Suffolk County Police Academy. Horowitz is the president of an insurance agency and is an incumbent serving in his third term as Southampton Town trustee.

Check out Patch's full Q&A with Scott Horotwitz below.

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

Scott Horowitz: Obviously, the trustees are all concerned about water quality and public access to our beaches and waterways. But in reality, from a long range perspective, thinking about not only today but generations to come, the only way we can assure that we can effectively tackle those issues is by being a properly funded board, with the highest degree of transparency and accountability. In my tenure on this board, I have seen threats to our environment and our funding and that is not acceptable. This board is the largest landowner in this town, and under the jurisdiction of the board are much of the assets that add to our quality of life in the Town of Southampton. This board should be provided the stability, at the very least, that a fire district would have. It's a complex issue but extremely important. It is not about an additional tax. Its about transparency and a guarantee that some of our tax dollars will always be afforded to the trustees to maintain public access for everyone. It's about having the ability to maintain a deteriorating waterfront infrastructure and do environmental projects that foster healthy ecosystems. What I intend to do about this issue is to continue to work with Assemblyman Fred Thiele and Senator Ken LaValle to achieve the authority of a separate line on the taxes, so the public can see how much of their tax dollars goes toward these responsibilities, and the future trustee boards can have a guarantee on their funding, so they can have stability in budgeting to take care of the responsibilities.

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

H: Sitting as the secretary/treasurer of the trustees for years now, and working on many successful dredging projects, infrastructure restoration projects, and closely working from a financial and administrative function, I have critical current institutional knowledge. I have many relationships with every agency in every branch of government to maneuver through complex situations that affect our town. This is a big town, with many stakeholders, and the trustees are the heart of this town. It's a big responsibility — access to beaches and waterways is the economic engine of our community — and I take it very seriously. I have been instrumental on projects such as the Ponquogue fishing pier rebuild and the Mecox management plan. These projects have positive impacts on our entire town, and I have been able to have the dedication to stay focused and build the consensus with all departments in Town Hall and other regulatory authorities, navigate all the obstacles, and get it done for the benefit of the community. Many improvements have been made from the prior boards. We pass public budgets now, have a comptroller oversee trustee funds to assure proper handling and practices, and have modernized procedures for efficiency. I meet and communicate regularly on dredging and legal issues that greatly affect our community. I have been the liaison for the bay constables, working with the police department and having been a part-time bay constable in the past, I have been effective working at that capacity. Our constables are safely and properly equipped to handle emergencies and protect our resources.

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

H: Other issues that define my campaign include an understanding that the trustees also own many roads — some lead to waterways and some don't. These roads have to be properly maintained and safe, because there are many homes on these roads. These roads are also used as short cuts and have to be safe for the public. However, the trustees have the responsibility to maintain these roads, with NO source of consistent funding. This is a big problem for everyone. The town doesn't want them. They need plowing, sanding, drainage issues and general road maintenance. The trustees have limited funds and only 3.5 workers in a marine maintenance department to take care of the entire town. All roads, ramps, buoys, docks, etc. It is imperative we all work together to come up with a plan that works for everyone. A solution to this problem is imperative. The expenses could erode the trustees' finances and or create public safety issues if not handled the right way, and this is not acceptable. I have been working on a solution, but I need more time to get this done. Two year terms are very short, when you are working on solving big problems.

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

H: Accomplishments include spearheading the resurrection of the Ponquogue fishing pier. I am very proud that I was able to work with the community of Hampton Bays, the dive groups, local Hampton Bays Civic, and all elected officials in Town Hall to save and rebuild that important community asset. I also worked hard this summer to comply with the Endangered Species Act, protect plovers and work with all agencies to restore and maintain maximum public access to the beaches. The adoption of the Mecox management plan, that is so critical to our entire environment, agricultural concerns and commercial and recreational fishing was a huge accomplishment. Gaining the ability to use Community Preservation Funding, for qualifying aspects of our authority for water quality initiatives, was imperative. This allowed the trustees to adjust the budget using enterprise revenue and take on projects like Baycrest Ave. in Westhampton, which is under reconstruction, and hopefully, Bay Ave. in East Quogue soon. And more projects in the future. People of this town should have safe, usable docks and ramps. We were also able to protect freeholders rights and navigate the legal system of the State of NY, so we could participate in a massive clam sanctuary project without any unintended consequences. It took two years, but had to be done correctly.

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

H: Never forget where you came from. I never have and never will. I work hard for this town. I care about people and our resources.

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

H: I also would like voters to know I am very proud to be on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island. Mentoring children and helping families is near and dear to my heart. I am the founder of the Hamptons Offshore Invitational Fishing Tournament to benefit BBBSLI and that event is 20 years old and has raised over $2.5 million for mentoring children, and has supported our maritime heritage and economy. I am dedicated and work hard to see good things accomplished for issues that I care about.