Dan's Papers - January 11, 2008 - Local Politics With Scott Russell

In the previous North Fork election, Scott Russell received over 80% of the vote in his re-election as Southold Town Supervisor. In an era of bitter partisan politics, Mr. Russell, a life long North Fork resident who graduated from Mattituck High School in 1982, sees things differently. He loves where he lives, respects his neighbors and is a regular guy who cares for the long term on what happens to the town where he grew up and where his young son and daughter will grow up. In a conversation with the popular Mr. Russell, he explained the five most important things he wished to accomplish with his mandate.

First on his list is to work on the Master Plan. This is a document twenty years in the making and along with Mark Terry, Mr. Russell intends to tweak it to reflect the best interest of the Town of Southold and its future.

Secondly, he plans on reviewing the "town zoning code," because although completed in 1989, it took ten years to complete and Scott believes its scope reflects the 1970s and thinks it needs to be addressed to take into account the new issues of the twenty-first century in relationship to the way Southold grows. Business interests must be protected and nurtured, but not at the expense of the quality of life so many on the North Fork enjoy. With his mandate, Supervisor Russell plans to do this delicate business through consensus.

Third on his list was his concern for the many small business owners on the North Fork who are the backbone of the local economy and are also the core of the residents of the Town of Southold. Mr. Russell spoke admiringly of how the small business owners preserve a certain way of life in Southold and believes in protecting that quality of life.

Next, supervisor Russell is going to address the preservation of the concept of "planned development districts." He believes that this is an important area because long term results will affect how the town of Southold evolves going into the 21st century. He vows to preserve the values of the past and not to change the dynamic that makes the North Fork the jewel it is. He explained that growth is needed for a healthy local economy, but a managed growth with an eye toward preserving the feel of what makes Southold so special.

The fifth target goal of 2008 for the Town of Southold is the completion of converting the Peconic School and its four acres of property into a community center. With contracting either awarded or about to be awarded, Supervisor Russell believes this is an example of his idea to use existing buildings to meet future needs of the community. He believes there is a wealth of buildings in the town that can have new future uses in Southold. He also wants to get back to basics, to in fact attend to, "Public assets, such as beaches, and historic assets," that may have been ignored with so much focus on the open lands issue.

He said he does not want to ignore the treasures we take for granted.

To Supervisor Russell, the secret to good governing is the ability to work in a spirit of cooperation with Dan Ross and Bill Edwards. He called them gifted and responsible men. He believes they also are committed to preserving Southold's uniqueness.

Other issues to be addressed are ways to reduce the deer population, and on code enforcement. Supervisor Russell said there is going to be an even handed approach with no one above the law. "Everyone is equal in the eyes of the law," he stated.

Scott Russell, besides being the supervisor, is father of a six-year-old girl and a three-year-old son. He is 43 years old and attended George Washington University, receiving two degrees in 1987, one in Political Science and another for Sociology. His experience in Washington while going to college taught him about the responsibility that those who get elected to govern must embrace. While at school there he often heard the then Speaker of the House, Tip O'Neil, say, "All politics is local."

So marching with a mandate into 2008, Supervisor Scott Russell must wrestle with the issues that will affect the future of the Town of Southold. Over 80% of those in Southold's last election who voted picked him to lead. He remains humble, but confident that his vision is the right one.