Our County Government Is At A Crossroads ...

Election Day is November 5 – approximately 100 days from now. This is an important election year for local government elected positions at the County and Town level.

I am running for Suffolk County Legislator for the South Fork, which spans from Moriches to Montauk and includes Shelter Island. I bring to the table common sense and know-how as a former Town Supervisor and Councilwoman, 14 years of dedicated service to the community working at the executive and legislative level of Southampton Town government. 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.

I have pledged an issues-oriented campaign and the most critical priority is restoring fiscal sanity to County government, cutting wasteful spending, taking the necessary corrective actions to right the ship and move Suffolk County forward towards a brighter future. Under the current Democratic administration, there is a negative outlook as per the financial reports and bond rating agencies due to years of fiscal mismanagement and political budgeting. It is truly mind-boggling that the Bellone administration claims to be “protecting the taxpayer” and “protecting the environment” ?!?

DID YOU KNOW?

• Suffolk County’s bonds have been downgraded 7 times under the Bellone administration, and the bond rating is now just one grade above Junk Bond status! This level of debt cannot be sustained. Over $300 Million has been borrowed by the Democratic Majority in the County Legislature to pay pension costs! The County’s accumulated debt is now over $2 Billion. Since 2005, the County’s debt has more than doubled! All that borrowing means that tax revenue goes to pay down debt rather than fixing roads, maintaining parks and providing other public services.
• Taxes & Fees have been raised by over $200 Million since Bellone was elected as County Executive with rubberstamp Democrat County Legislators voting Yes to every fee, tax & spending increase. Rather than cutting spending, fees were created & raised, alarm fees, red light camera fees, mortgage recording fees, park fees, vehicle registration fees & more.
• Year after year, the $3 Billion County Budget is unbalanced. There is an operational shortfall meaning we continue to spend much more than we are bringing in. Imagine trying to run your household at a deficit each year!
• A state appellate court for a second time has ruled a $29.4 million dollar diversion from the Drinking Water Protection Program was illegal, and this is on top of $32.8 million extracted from funds associated with Sewer District stabilization - All told, Suffolk County has borrowed over $171 million from clean water environmental funds and now the taxpayers have to pay this all back - 8 years of Fiscal Mismanagement!
• The County is now using Revenue Anticipation Notes (RANs) to pay bills, and contractors are not paid for work performed until several months later. The list goes on ...

Our County government is at a crossroads and the path to a positive future is your hands. We need to elect Proven Leaders who will bring Fiscal Solvency and Results. I am proud to stand with County Executive Candidate John Kennedy and work together to get out our message to the voters to Save Suffolk from financial disaster. CHOOSE WISELY who will best serve the taxpayers with honor, integrity, fiscal responsibility and community-minded professionalism. On Election Day, I hope to earn your vote of confidence for the Office of Suffolk County Legislator, Legislative District #2.

Linda Kabot is the designated candidate for the Office of Suffolk County Legislator for the 2nd Legislative District on the Republican, Conservative, and Libertarian lines for the November 5, 2019 General Election ballot.