Dan's Papers - June 5, 2009 - Southampton Dems Choose their Candidates

Last Friday evening at the Southampton Inn conference room, the mood was upbeat as the Democratic Party of Southampton selected its slate of candidates for next fall's town elections. The party is energized and united. The overflowing crowd cheered, laughed and applauded all the nominations. They truly believe their candidates are on the right side of the issues while the opposition party is floundering, divided and vulnerable.

When Democratic Party Chairman Gordon Herr called the meeting to order, the room was all smiles. No incumbents were being dismissed or replaced. Rather, they were congratulated for jobs well done as watchdogs to the excessive spending and incompetence of the Republicans. With multi-million dollar budget shortfalls, it has been a dismal season for the Republicans in Southampton who in fact didn't even nominate incumbent Supervisor Linda Kabot for re-election. Instead, they selected current Suffolk County Deputy Executive Jim Malone - a snub that will no doubt cause Kabot to contemplate either a primary or general election challenge. In fact, Hank Beck, who chaired the meeting along with Chairman Herr, predicted Kabot will be on the ballot for Supervisor come November.

At the top of the newly announced slate of candidates for the Dems is current Councilwoman Anna Throne-Holst, who will run for Southampton Supervisor. Throne-Holst is regarded by Southampton Democrats as the second coming of Obama. There seems to be no one in that camp who doesn't believe that she is the right person to put Southampton's financial house in order. Her steely-eyed laser on fiscal responsibility has put her in a unique position heading into the elections. (It's important to note that even though Throne-Holst's current term as councilwoman is not up until 2011, she's not in jeopardy of losing that seat should she fail in the general election for Supervisor.)

For the two open seats on the Town Board, the party chose incumbent Sally Pope, whose campaigning style is one of determined, personal appeal. Pope won a special election for her post last November and is now running for a full four-year term. Joining her is the dynamic Bridget Fleming, a Noyac resident and attorney who proclaimed, "My life has been and is dedicated to public service." Once again Alex Gregor, of Hampton Bays, who is also the Southampton Town Independent Party leader, is running for Town Highway Superintendent. Falling short in the last election by less than 50 votes, the confident and energized Gregor likes his chances in view of the troubles that department has had this last year.

Sitting Southampton Town Justices Deborah Kooperstein and Barbara Wilson were nominated to continue in their judicial roles and robes. Nominated candidates for the two town trustee slots are Southampton Town bayman and oyster farmer Bill Pell, and Chris Garvey, also a Hampton Bays resident and member of the Hampton Bays School Board who has extensive experience in Southampton maritime matters.

But the night belonged to Anna Throne-Holst. She is ready. She knows what needs to be done, and she's not afraid to do it. After the nominations she called all the candidates up to join her. She made the point on how united the party is and how ready the town is for change - real change - and "responsible leadership." To thunderous applause she predicted victory in November. She let it be known she is serious about winning, and that she is the right person for the job. Throne-Holst thanked the stalwarts of the party for helping her over the years and promised that their hard work will be rewarded with her victory in November. But what revealed most about her was her telling closing remark. "All right, let's go have fun," she said.

Throne-Holst knows this campaign is probably going to get nasty. The Republicans are not going to hand her the keys to the Supervisor's office. But the feeling in the room that night was simple: the Southampton Republicans are on the ropes. Their mistakes might have been tolerated during times when homes were going up 30% in value each year, but not now. Mistakes and incompetence will not be rewarded this election cycle.