Linda Kabot for Suffolk County Legislator, Patch's Profile Q&A

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5. Early Voting Opportunity begins October 26. There are important Town and County elected offices on the General Election Ballot. In advance of the election, Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaign. This is a re-post of the Q&A Candidate Profile for Linda Kabot, who is running for Suffolk County Legislator seat for District 2. Legislative District 2 is comprised of the entire South Fork of Long Island and includes Southampton and East Hampton Towns, as well as Shelter Island and East Moriches and Eastport in Brookhaven Town.

Linda Kabot, 51, who lives in the Village of Quogue in Southampton Town, is married to her husband Lance and they have three sons, Jeff, Zack and Connor. Kabot was an honors graduate of the Westhampton Beach School District and Hobart and William Smith College, where she earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Liberal Arts. Currently, she is a realtor affiliated with Town & Country Real Estate. Previously, she worked in Southampton Town government for nearly 14 years at the executive and legislative level, including eight years as an elected officials, serving as Southampton Town Supervisor from 2008 to 2009, councilwoman from 2002 to 2007, and as the executive assistant to a prior town supervisor from 1996 to 2001.

Kabot is challenging incumbent Bridget Fleming of Noyac, who is on the Democratic, Working Families and Independence party lines on the ballot. Kabot, a Republican, is cross-endorsed by the Conservative and Libertarian parties.

Following is Patch's full Q&A with Kabot (original post by Lisa Finn Editor, on October 16, 2019).

Patch: The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is ___ and this is what I intend to do about it.

K: Fiscal Responsibility is the #1 issue. There are many challenges that face us in Suffolk County – affordable housing, water quality, economic development, transportation, public safety and continued environmental protection. But, without fiscal solvency, we are doomed. We need a County Legislator who has a true understanding of what being fiscally responsible means and who will advocate for the critical issues facing our region.

The most critical priority is restoring fiscal sanity to County government and move Suffolk County forward towards a brighter future. I support John Kennedy for County Executive because he is a proven fiscal watchdog and our best chance to pull Suffolk County back from the brink of the current financial breaking point. We must take the corrective actions necessary to restore fiscal health to county government. We must ensure that government cuts spending and stays within budgeted revenues. We cannot saddle our children and grandchildren with an increasing mountain of additional debt.

• Suffolk County’s bond rating is now hovering near Junk Bond status. The County’s accumulated debt is over $2 Billion. All that borrowing means that much of tax revenue goes to pay down debt rather than fixing roads, maintaining parks and providing other public services. Over $300 Million has been borrowed by the Democratic Majority in the County Legislature to pay pension costs. Suffolk is broke, and is now forced to borrow millions of dollars in Revenue Anticipation Notes to pay day-to-day operating costs.
• Taxes and Fees have been raised by over $200 Million since Steve Bellone was elected County Executive with a Democrat Rubberstamp County Legislature voting “Yes” on virtually every fee, tax and spending increase. Rather than cutting spending, fees have been created and raised—alarm fees, red light camera fees, mortgage recording fees, park fees, vehicle registration fees and more! There’s even a cremation fee, too!
• Year after year, the $3 Billion County Budget has gone unbalanced, meaning we continue to spend much more than we are bringing in.
• A state appellate court for a second time has ruled a $29.4 Million dollar diversion from the Drinking Water Protection Program was illegal. All told, Suffolk County has borrowed over $171 Million from the Clean Water Environmental Funds, and now the taxpayers have to pay it all back! Raiding of environmental funds should be reason enough for any environmentally-conscious voter to NOT vote for the incumbent County Executive and rubberstamp Legislators who have allowed this to happen.

The NYS Comptroller has ranked Suffolk as “the most stressed county” financially in the state. We need to restore fiscal sanity. It’s time for the people to regain control of the county and force the county to live within its means. We need to elect community servants at the county level who are not afraid to make the hard choices to cut expenses, reduce accumulated debt, and eliminate operating deficits. We need to seek out additional revenue sources that do not burden the taxpayers with higher taxes and more onerous fees.

Difficult times require difficult decisions. We need representatives who have the fortitude to step up and do the right thing. We need to vote people into public office who put the taxpayers and citizens first, not special interests and partisan politics.

Patch: What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

Elections are about choice and elections are about issues. I am honored to offer a choice to the voters for the position of County Legislator. The incumbent Legislator and I agree on a number of issues, but we also disagree on certain policy matters.

Most importantly, Legislator Fleming and I disagree about fiscal responsibility. By her repeated actions, she clearly does not seem to grasp the gravity of the financial situation at hand. At a recent debate, incumbent Bridget Fleming spoke about capital program dollars for various planning initiatives and studies to address sea level rise, renewable energy and climate change. These are all important issues, but when the house is on fire, we need to put the fire out – we need to get the county’s fiscal house in order first. We are rated at Baa2 (a ranking by Moody’s associated with Junk Bonds). Floating more bonds at this time is irresponsible. While we both agree that there is a need for policy-makers to continue to advocate for environmental protection measures, the most critical matter that this point in time is fiscal solvency. You would not run your own household or business under recurring deficit conditions like this. County government needs to overhaul its priorities, tighten its belt, and live within its means.

The primary role of the Suffolk County Legislature is to serve as the checks and balances to the County Executive, and as per the Guide published by Suffolk County, to act as "The stewards of your hard-earned tax dollars.” The County Legislature is the elected body responsible for public health and public safety. The Legislature sets county policies, reviews the administration of government, appropriates funding, levies taxes, and reviews and adopts the annual budget. The job of a County Legislator is not to solely be an environmental advocate or present Proclamations at different community events. County Legislators need to take seriously their primary duty to protect the taxpayers’ best interests by ensuring fiscal stability for the County while addressing public safety and community well-being.

Patch: If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

K: I clearly demonstrated as Southampton Town Supervisor and Councilwoman that I bring common sense and principled leadership to the table, with a proven track record in reaching across the aisle to work with others for the common good, regardless of political affiliation. I have also shown my commitment to open government, civility, fiscal solvency and responsive representation for people from all walks of life. As a community-minded professional, I always give credit where credit is due, acknowledging those that originated the initiative or laid the groundwork that others have continued to build upon.

Ms. Fleming, the incumbent County Legislator, unfortunately, often attempts to usurp the stage and does not laud the achievements of others. Further, she has failed to conduct county business in an open, transparent manner despite appearances. Holding public conferences, using social media, and podcasting through cell phone videos is not open government. It’s no secret that Ms. Fleming and her Democratic colleagues conduct closed meetings in the basement of the Legislature building to discuss the budget. Republican Legislators are excluded from these meetings and often given short notice to review proposals. This is the arrogance of “one-party rule,” which needs to come to an end.

County Executive Bellone has been in office for 8 years and still claims he inherited financial deficit conditions from the Levy Administration. The operating deficit is now nearly $900 Million. The Bellone Administration and Rubberstamp County Legislators like Ms. Fleming are continuing on a path of financial disaster. How can Steve Bellone claim to be “protecting the taxpayer” and “protecting the environment” ?!?

Citizens, Taxpayers and Voters deserve more effective representation. Suffolk County is broke, and yet:

• Ms. Fleming has voted YES to redirecting county funds for “Public Financing of Political Campaigns.” This scheme creates a new county bureaucracy to dole out matching funds to political candidates running for County Executive and County Legislature. (December 2018). Taxpayers should not be burdened with financing election campaign expenses of politicians.
• Ms. Fleming is one of two legislators (out of 18) who voted NO to suspend an automatic cost-of-living pay raise for legislators and other county elected officials. She wanted to continue to receive automatic pay raises, while the other 16 Legislators asserted that elected officials should lead by example. (September 2017)
• Ms. Fleming voted NO to accepting specialized public safety federal funding designed to combat gangs, because the resolution contained language about the Department of Homeland Security, and she wanted to go on record against accepting any monies that may be associated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). (February 2019)
• Ms. Fleming favors rewarding people who are in this country unlawfully by forcing taxpayers to fund a wide variety of public services that the illegal immigrants get for free, such as health care, college, legal aid, and now eligibility to apply for drivers’ licenses under recent state legislation. Suffolk County currently spends over $700 Million for public assistance welfare programs annually in its $3 Billion Operating Budget.
• Ms. Fleming voted in favor of five more years of Red Light Cameras ticketing scheme, which is a revenue-inspired money grab that abuses the driving public and does not dedicate any funds towards traffic safety improvements. The vast majority of residents in Suffolk County oppose this method of the county covering its government operating costs and view it as a scam and gotcha. Over 80% of the tickets are for turning right on red, where a driver stopped for a few seconds, but not the full 5 seconds. The high fines/fees unfairly negatively impact those who are of limited financial means.

Voters deserve a choice in the voting booth so that they can select who they believe will best represent their interests. If the votes of the Incumbent Legislator outlined above are not in line with your viewpoints, then please consider me as your candidate for change and more effective representation.

Patch: Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

K: I have been running a vigorous, issues-oriented campaign, attending many community events and civic meetings on a listening tour throughout the South Fork Legislative District.

I hear many voices asking for more effective representation and follow-through on quality of life issues. On the issues of traffic safety on our roadways, constituents are asking for the improved traffic signal timing to manage traffic flow for commuters to employment centers both east and west of the Shinnecock Canal. Intersections need to be redesigned, planned for safety, curb cuts, and sidewalk connections completed, particularly along large stretches of Montauk Highway in populous hamlet centers and along County Road 39. Bus shelter infrastructure needs expansion. Issues have been raised about public safety needs for law enforcement and emergency responders.

Ms. Fleming is strongly in favor of wind turbines off the coast of East Hampton – (a) despite the economic and environmental concerns of our local commercial fishermen, Town Trustees, hamlet business owners, and long-time community residents; and (b) despite the clear lack of sufficient studies to identify and mitigate impacts to the fisheries, marine wildlife including whales and dolphins, shorebirds, and more, not to mention the impacts to safe navigation. In my opinion, Ms. Fleming unilaterally supports the “Climate Change Justice” movement while there are many unanswered questions and the need for comprehensive analysis and mitigation before any such off-shore wind development project moves forward. Our environment and the State Environmental Quality Review Act includes maritime heritage resources like commercial fishing as well as mitigative measures for disruption in our hamlet business areas. All voices should be encouraged and welcomed in the conversation about off-shore wind, particularly since the NYS Governor’s initiative is called “Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.”

These are but a few of the issues that have been raised. My record in local government is built on listening to the voices of our residents and taxpayers and addressing their problems. I have done this in such a way that is not only cost-effective, but also does not create or increase bureaucratic hoops and hurdles.

Showboating and petty political bickering along partisan lines is not what best serves the public. We need a voice to advocate for the critical issues facing our region with a true understanding of fiscal responsibility.

Patch: What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

K: I have 14 years of experience at the executive and legislative level of local government. I served as Southampton Town Supervisor during an economic downturn and a time of controversy and I took on the challenges of righting the ship in treacherous seas. As Supervisor, I did the heavy lifting necessary to put Southampton Town on the right tract despite the revisionist history that certain Democratic Political Operatives will continue to put out there in an attempt to besmirch my reputation. The Facts Do Not Lie.

The 2010 State Comptroller Report concluded that I marshaled the resources and took the critically important steps needed to put Southampton Town on “solid financial footing” and to address the structural deficits uncovered in the operating budget of the previous administration. As Supervisor from 2008-2009, working with a team of key Town administrators, I overhauled the Town’s Budget, provided transparency, cut back millions in spending, and tightened financial controls. I moved swiftly to take the corrective actions needed to create a strategic financial plan incorporated into the 2010 Town Budget. This action successfully generated budget surpluses by the end of 2010, eliminating past fund balance deficits from the prior administration. Just five weeks after, I completed my term as Supervisor, Moody’s Credit Report applauded my administration for its “swift and effective response to correct the Town’s internal accounting procedures and controls and adoption of formal policies and procedures intended to ensure conservative and transparent financial management.” Moody’s also noted that future bond ratings would reflect the Town Board’s compliance with my 2010 Budget Plan, adopted in November 2009.

I have a solid background in government administration, public policy formation, municipal finance, and constituent services. As former elected official for Southampton Town, I have extensive knowledge and experience in budget and finance, land use and zoning, and comprehensive planning. I championed numerous hamlet studies as updates to the Town’s Master Plan and sponsored many legislative initiatives to close zoning loopholes, facilitate affordable housing and economic development, and policies designed to enhance services to seniors, youth, and local families. I spearheaded upgrades to various community facilities and recreational parks throughout Southampton Town’s many hamlets. As a tireless advocate for our community’s volunteer emergency responders, I worked hard to deliver the resources needed and policies that best allow for continued effective delivery of services. Working with a generous benefactor and the Southampton Town Animal Shelter Foundation, I championed the construction of a new no-kill shelter and privatization through a public-private partnership, that now is a model in the United States. Working across political party lines, I spearheaded ethics reforms.

On the environmental forefront, I have tightened controls to protect environmental resources, cultural resources, historic resources, wetlands, groundwater recharge areas, and scenic resource protection. I have worked extensively with the Town Trustees and Town, County, and State Highway jurisdictions to implement stormwater abatement programs and other projects to help protect surface waters near road endings. I have supported initiatives for clean energy and renewable energy and a town-wide communications plan.

Before being elected, I served as Executive Assistant to a prior Town Supervisor and played a significant role in that administration when the Community Preservation Fund was enacted for the East End and approved by the voters. The CPF Program has proven to be a viable funding source for land preservation, farmland protection, and other environmental initiatives, most recently allowing for water quality improvement projects (such as sewer districts and subsidizing septic system upgrades.) The CPF Program has had great success over these years, but when it was first proposed it was a heavy lift strongly supported by the former Town Supervisor Cannuscio’s administration. This also necessitated the efforts of our State Legislators to shepherd it through Albany and the support of the agricultural community, builders, lobbyists and others. The challenge was to gain approval by voters for a new tax on buyers at the closing table for all real estate purchases over a certain threshold amount. (At that time, other legislators at the Town level and County level – had publicly stated that they believe the initiative would “float like a lead balloon” – meaning never pass a voter referendum.) However, in 1999, the CPF Program was resoundingly approved by the voters and to date has generated over $1.435 Billion in revenue at no expense to property taxpayers.

As a former government official, I believe that I have earned a reputation for being honest, fair, meticulous, hard-working, results-oriented, reform-minded and independent.

Patch: The best advice ever shared with me was …

K: I was advised that: Politics is not for the faint of heart. It takes courage in the face of controversy.

I have demonstrated time and time again that I have the strength of character to withstand controversy, stand up for the taxpayers, make the difficult decisions that are prudent and necessary, and to battle against dirty politics and self-serving special interests. I have shown that I can reach across party lines to work for the common good and that I truly care about people from all walks of life.

Another bit of advice has always served me well – there’s no letter “I” in the word “Team” – It takes a team to get the job done and done right. Teamwork = Team Success

Patch: What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

K: For more information on my viewpoints, please visit my campaign website: LindaKabotForSuffolk.com

I am thankful for the support and encouragement of many community members from across the political spectrum. I hope to earn your vote of confidence on Election Day, November 5 for the position of Suffolk County Legislator.