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For this column I have interviewed newly elected
Southold Supervisor, the Honorable Joshua Y. Horton.
BACKGROUND Age 29 and single. Lifelong resident of Greenport with his
family history tracing back 400 years. B.A. in Education from Evergreen
State College (Washington). Served in the Coast Guard and still a
Reservist. A licensed Merchant Mariner and tugboat captain by trade.
Registered as a Conservative.
OVERVIEW OF SOUTHOLD TOWNSHIP A Town deeply rooted in marine and
agricultural trades. We have a number of working waterfronts. People
still earn their living subject to the weather and the seasons. We are a
hands-on working Town with a real mix of people. There are 20,000
residents, we have a $17 million budget and the Town employs 200 people.
The Town covers Laurel to Orient Point, including Greenport, Mattituck,
Cutchogue, Peconic, East Marion and Fisher's Island.
THE MOORE CONFLICT Pat Moore is an attorney and the wife of
Councilman Bill Moore. She currently represents 40% of the applicants
using attorneys that bring applications to the various boards and
agencies in Town government. Her clientele has grown tenfold since 1996.
TO COUNTY EXECUTIVE GAFFNEY Two messages: (1)Southold needs to be
shown your support for environmental programs, especially those that
protect the environment in Southold. (2)Farmland preservation. Farming
doesn't only provide scenic views. It provides the largest source of
agricultural produce for the east coast. We must preserve the industry.
HOBBIES Songwriter and musician, working with not-for-profits on
educational matters, sailing.
TOWN "FIRINGS" I asked appointees/people to resign because
people wanted a change. I had positive and negative responses. I was
carrying out the mandate of the people.
NUCLEAR POWER In an emergency, I'm on the same authority board as the
Governor of Connecticut. We have insured a new evacuation plan for
Fisher's Island. Equipment for the ferry has been upgraded for
expediting loading/unloading passengers. The Millstone Ferry can take
passengers to Stonington, Connecticut, where they will be transferred to
Wyndham, Connecticut for housing, if need be.
MESSAGE TO THE TOWN BOARD I want to cut taxes, protect farming,
create accessory apartments and bring an end to the "bossism"
that has crippled Town government. I call on my Town Board colleagues to
put aside petty partisanship and work with me towards these important
goals. I pledge my full cooperation in the process, but I must have the
tools I need to lead, including my choice for Town Attorney, Dan Ross.
Town Hall has been a feeding ground for too long for political bosses
like Republican Leader,Joe Sawicki. I will continue to fight to dislodge
his control from the Town, even if I have to address this matter in
public.
IMMEDIATE PLANS Besides a new Town Attorney, I aim to initiate
membership changes on the Zoning and Planning Boards. Almost $200,000
has been scraped together for road runoff projects, which would give us
healthier waterways. A Police Advisory Committee has been constituted to
reduce our police budget and improve time utilization. The Blue Ribbon
Committee for the Preservation of Rural Southold was established to
ensure working farms in Southold.
CLOSING STATEMENT Town Hall will rise from the ashes of cronyism. I
promise!
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