Dan's Papers - October 30, 2009 - SH Supervisor Candidates Debate: Surprisingly Civil

Southampton Supervisor Linda Kabot and her opponent for the position, Councilwoman Anna Throne-Holst, faced off on Oct. 22 at a debate sponsored by the League of Woman Voters of the Hampton at the Rogers Memorial Library. Moderated by the League's Barbara Jordan and drawing more than 225 attendees, the debate showcased two women who've been at the center of Southampton town government the last two years.

Although Kabot and Throne-Holst were both dressed in white blouses and dark business suits, it was clear from the opening statements that the similarities ended there. Kabot, the Republican incumbent, insisted that her challenger basically ran against her for the last year from the inner workings of the board meetings. She chided Throne-Holst for being aligned with the Southampton Police Union and against a town health care reform plan that would raise costs for town officials. (Kabot does not take part in the town's program; Throne-Holst's entire family does.) Kabot stressed her own strong leadership in the myriad budget nightmares thrown at her by an administration she defeated two years ago. She asked to be re-elected to "continue the work" of righting the wrongs of a culture that controlled her party and town for too long, stressing she had the experience to right the town through these troubled times.

Throne-Holst, the Democratic party challenger, basically said in her opening statement that change was imperative in this election in order to instate competent leadership "that has experience in economic matters." She explained that from day one of her time on the Southampton Town Board, she was "shocked at the lack of accountability and financial planning" at Town Hall. To combat this, she held up her "action" plan-a sort of business plan for the town that will turn around its byzantine financial practices and put new systems in place to end the government's apparent incompetencies of the last few years.

With questions coming from the audience and a panel of well-known journalists, the candidates answered very respectfully. In fact, the most interesting dynamic of the debate might have been the civility between these two rivals. There were no rude interruptions, insult-hurling or desperate charges. The candidates showed they were used to presenting their opinions at town board meetings. They spoke with emotion and passion. Both are poised political leaders.

However, their differences are pronounced. Throne-Holst doesn't believe that Kabot has the career experience to deal with the complicated accountability issues the town must identify, clean up and change. Kabot, of course, believes she is the one with the experience to deal with these difficult times, which include a challenging situation with the town's police union over a new contract. She just about proclaimed Throne-Holst's support of the police union as dangerous. In the end, the debate wasn't about details, but the apparent difference in philosophy and styles of governing offered by the candidates. Throne-Holst will be an agent for total change though "restructuring and reorganizing the town," along with its budget. Kabot offered the experienced hand that's already righting those woes.

After a 10-minute intermission, the four candidates for Southampton Town Board entered: Conservative and Republican Party candidate Jim Malone, Democratic Party Candidate Bridget Fleming, one-year incumbent Democrat Councilwoman Sally Pope, and incumbent Councilman Chris Nuzzi. Their messages can be summed up by their own words. Malone stressed he was the man who would and could "do more with less." Fleming proclaimed, "Our government is not working," and represented the "momentum for real change." Pope stressed that, "Service has been a theme throughout my life." Nuzzi spoke about "facts versus fiction, ideas versus rhetoric." Once again it was apparent that all the candidates were skilled public speakers who seem to know the facts and the needs of the town, and have a clear vision of how to get there. Nuzzi stressed his track record and knowledge, Fleming her experience of tackling legal issue due to her service in the U.S. DA's office, Pope her vigilant demands for oversight, and Malone his Suffolk County budgeting experience. The night was absent of the audience booing and tactless remarks that have marked the health care debates recently. Instead it was a polite discourse that had to make town residents proud.