Southold Republicans revealed their 2017 slate at a nominating convention held at the American Legion in Southold last night.
The majority of the nominees are incumbents and there were a few new faces introduced — people who are new to government but well-known around town.
Nominees for town board are Bob Ghosio and Jim Dinizio. Trustee candidates are John Bredemeyer, Michael Domino and Greg Williams. For tax assessor the committee nominated Kevin Webster and Charles Sanders; for superintendent of highways, Vincent Orlando; for town clerk, Betty Neville. The town justice nominee is Eileen Powers and for Fishers Island justice, Louisa Evans.
“I think we have a very good slate, a full strong slate of incumbents and a few qualified newcomers who have the experience to take us across the winning line,” said committee chairman Peter McGreevy. “It’s mostly incumbents, a few new faces but they’re new faces who are perhaps new to politics but certainly not new to Southold; they’re people who are lifelong residents of the town who have experience in the town and they’re willing to now use that experience and give back to their community as elected officials and that’s something I think we should commend them on.”
Town board nominee Jim Dinizio feels that he has learned a lot in the past four years serving the town. “The first four years were so much fun that I decided I wanted to do it again. I know a lot more now than I did before,” he said. “I’ve learned the system the past four years. The next four years, if I win [I want to] make things a little better, more efficient.”
Town board nominee Bob Ghosio would like to continue to develop the wildlife management position he helped create, work on land preservation and continue his work on helicopter noise. “I’ve tried so hard over the years to do everything I can to be a good representative not only for my committee and the Republican party, but for the folks who live in town. I’ve been doing it long enough that most people recognize that I really do work on trying to maintain and preserve our quality of life or make our quality of life better. The fact that the committee has nominated me again gives me a good feeling inside that I’m hopefully doing a good job,” he said.
John Bredemeyer hopes to return to trusteeship in the fall, saying that it is a “high honor” to serve. He spoke of a number of projects the town is working on including new notifications for shellfisheries, permit signs and a contract and licensing provision under the wetlands ordinance. Commenting on his job as trustee he said, “It’s something that I cherish and for the time that we’re here we can do good things. I’m glad to serve.”
Newcomer Greg Williams, owner of Country Time Cycle in Mattituck is a lifelong North Fork resident who is committed to preserving our local waterways. “I grew up on Deep Hole Creek, my family’s had a boat since before I was born. I’m committed to preserving the waterways, enclosed waterways for my generation, our children for their generation, for hopefully someday our grandchildren. I’m concerned about nitrogen infiltration, harmful algae blooms. I like to fish, I like to shellfish and I just want to give back to the community and serve the town of Southold and serve the board of trustees,” he said.
Vinnie Orlando said he was humbled and honored to represent the GOP as highway superintendent. “It’s not an exciting job, but it’s very rewarding and very important to do to help keep the infrastructure safe for the people in the community. We’re always working on trying to improve drainage, infrastructure, the equipment,” he said.
Army veteran Charles Sanders said that he was “so very excited” and that his experience as a real estate broker makes him a good fit for assessor. “I want to make sure that all veterans on the North Fork know what their exemptions are,” he said, adding that the exemption helped him greatly when he returned from active duty. “When I was a trustee it was interesting to interact with the public. You have contentious people sometimes and you had to learn to calm people’s nerves because it’s not about let’s attack each other, it’s about here’s the problem and let’s solve the problem,” he said.
Incumbent Kevin Webster said that tax assessor is the perfect job for him. “I get to help the people with all sorts of issues that go on at the assessor’s office from deed transfers, exemptions — that’s a big part of what we do — to making sure that they have a fair assessment from Orient to Laurel. I think what I want to do is keep what we have there solid. We have a great group of people in our office and we feel like when people come to the office we make sure we answer all their questions and make sure they leave saying thank you for helping them. Just making sure that from farmers to veterans to firefighters that all the exemptions are processed correctly for people all the time; that’s an important thing for us.”
Eileen Powers said that she felt she was uniquely qualified to be town justice, citing her experience as a former prosecutor and town attorney. “I’ve practiced on both sides of the aisle,” she said.
Betty Neville, who has worked for the town since 1968 and as town clerk since 1998 enjoys helping people every day. “It’s satisfying and gratifying to help people every day. Every day is different, there are no two days that are alike. It’s a great job and I love it. I give it my best every day,” she said.
Nominees Michael Domino and Louisa Evans were unable to attend the convention last night.
