Your Thoughts on a New Vehicle for the Southold Town Supervisor
Poll results show that many favor seeing Scott Russell drive a town-owned Jeep Grand Cherokee; your comments questioned why the supervisor does not drive his own car.
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With an aging Ford Crown Victoria awaiting the chopping block at Lou’s Service Station in Mattituck, the Southold Town Board talked last week about what kind of vehicle to purchase for Supervisor Scott Russell.
So did you — and many readers asked why the Town is providing the supervisor a car at all during these tight economic times.
Though poll results showed that the majority of voters (103) favored a Jeep Grand Cherokee for the supervisor, 48 said “let’s go hybrid,” and 31 indicated that the supervisor should be driving his own vehicle.
- What car should the town supervisor be driving? (results as of Jan. 23)
- Jeep Cherokee 103 (46%)
- Ford Escape 15 (6%)
- Ford Focus 14 (6%)
- Let's go hybrid 48 (21%)
- Something fast and flashy 5 (2%)
- I don't know, but it should be his own car 31 (14%)
- None of the above — I'll explain in the boxes below 5 (2%)
Commentary on the issue closely reflected these votes, swinging from support of something like a Jeep Cherokee, given the fact that the supervisor needs a heftier vehicle to check on town emergency management operations and shelters in all types of weather, to thoughts that all town officials — including the supervisor — should use their own vehicles.
Here are a few points readers made on the issue:
“The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4X4 for which the Town Board ratified the Supervisor's action to advertise for bids is estimated to get 17 MPG. Why is this the first choice? … Does the Supervisor need to drive a luxury class SUV? Why are Southold Town Police Detectives driving luxury class SUVs? The Russell administrations prides itself on running a tight economic ship, but this is another example of the reality that taxpayers are being treated like a cash machine.” — Benja Schwartz
“First thing I say buy American. Plus go with a vehicle that can be serviced within the area to support local businesses. A question I have is how long can the current car last? Are they able to keep it until the end of this year? Ford's 2013 Fusion Hybrid is supposed to get 100 mpg. It is gas, electric and plug in. I feel that if they can hold out till the new model year rolls out this would be the best. Great mpg, a go-green vechile and a mid-sized car.” — Tammie Hildesheim
“If we must provide a car then it should be the smallest, most economical available. Toyota Yaris or Ford. Another question: I thought we had mechanics in the highway dept.? Why is Lou's maintaining his car?” — John Kramer
"The highway department mechanics are just responsible for maintaining all of the equipment/vehicles used by the highway department, Lou's Service Station services all of our vehicles at the police department, as well as the nutrition center and other Town-owned vehicles and has done so for over 20 years. As far as the supervisor's new vehicle is concerned, it is important to remember that Scott is the head of emergency management for the whole Town and must be accessible during adverse weather such as snow storms, hurricanes, and floods with a vehicle that is appropriate for such driving." — Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley
“Why is this even a discussion?” The real question is why are we letting the town board WASTE our money on a car that everyone knows is used for pleasure as much as it is for town business. When was the last time you saw Scott and his family in his ‘personal’ vehicle. Does he have one? I don’t think we should deny him a town car, but he should get the CHEAPEST 4-wheel-drive (doubt he needs that - but whatever)... with NO bells and WHISTLES. This is ridiculous. I understand buying locally and all but seriously? You gonna pay Mullen and Lucas prices. Go to a county auction slap down 5 grand and be done with it. Backwards. This town is BACKWARDS. Occupy Southold!” — Marty
“Mark Lesko, who supervises one of the largest towns in New York (Brookhaven) uses his own vehicle. I think Southold's supervisor should use his own car and get mileage for town business. As a matter of fact, all town officials should use their own vehicles. When officials use their own vehicles, they tend to take better care of them. That is my own personal opinion. Besides, right now is no time to make purchases that are not necessary.” — Patricia Dzenkowski
“With the amount of garbage this man, or any person in the position of supervisor has to take, from the myriad of wackos out there, including those who believe they are the second coming of Joan Egan, the poor guy should be given a chauffeured Rolls Royce with his own personal wet bar inside. Say what you want, that it is a down economy, that anyone could do his job, that he is overpaid, they are all overpaid, they should all be thrown out into the cold and be thankful for whatever pittance we deem worthy to deposit upon them, but in all honesty, I don't see legions of people lining up to be supervisor, and certainly not for that salary.
"Why take crap from the Joan Egan wannabe and others, daily, while working for less than just about any police office, teacher, or other professional in this town ... and with raises few and far between, if at all. You think you can be supervisor, then great, let's see your name on the ballot next time. Until then, shut up, sit down, and let what should be the mere ministerial act of the town in purchasing one vehicle, be just that, a car purchase. Not yet another forum for every Tom, Dick, and Harry, to weigh in on the issue. It's a car. We have a hundred of them in this town. Buy another one. Who the hell cares. Jeep Cherokee, by the way, that's my vote.” — Tom
In This article
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Lou's Service Station
825 Pacific St, Mattituck, NY -
Town of Southold
53095 Route 25, Southold, NY -
Southold Town Police Department
41405 Route 25, Peconic, NY -
Southold Town Human Resource and Senior Center
750 Pacific St, Mattituck, NY -
Mullen Motors
55980 Route 25, Southold, NY
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Lucas Ford Lincoln Mercury
3245 Hortons Ln, Southold, NY
Greg Scholand
12:15 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
@ Tom. Amen!
Vin Ricciardi
6:28 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
The town supervisor isn't a first responder, therefore it isn't critical for him to be at the scene of an emergency, until the scene has been declared safe by either the police chief or the fire chief, for example. If we're set on a new vehicle, then we must go american. Chrysler is a foreign company who took boat loads of bailout money, even though we have a local dealer. Ford is still an American company, didn't take any bailout money, and is a local company.
Vin Ricciardi
7:14 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Giving it more thought. I think the Supervisor should get a new American vehicle every eight years. Since there is a lot of grey area between using the vehicle for official or personal use, I think the Supervisor should be responsible for the cost of gas. Cost of the vehicle, insurance and basic maintenance should be borne by the taxpayers.
Benja Schwartz
7:57 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Bottom line...
Should the Town Board let the Supervisor pick any vehicle he wants?
Of course not.
But, that is what they are doing.
ed finnegan
3:53 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
pretty much wrong again, Benja,on both accounts!
forward thinking
8:42 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012
There are positions that include a vehicle as part of the salary and bene’s. Having a vech provided to me for over 50 years i can speak as to the negative of having a vech. Provided. When you use the vech. For lunch that mileage is supposed to be 1099’d. But home to work is not 1099 but work to home is 1099. If you take calls from work at home the area is considered an office and therefore deductible. Therefore travel home to work and work to home does not exist if you have a home office. The last 20 years i was able to pick my vech. And since i was responsible for profit and loss i chose wisely. The person who provided the vech. assumes they own you at home. When someone eats at McDonalds’ that person will choose wisely. ? How many ceo’s, presidents, and people in pvt. Practices do that or even drive the most practicable efficient vech. Since the position includes a car at will i know he will let a group choose so the Nay -Sayers and “foil’ests’” cannot point to him. GO FORD ESCAPE 4 CYL. i say foil everybody's income tax return.
indy
10:00 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
I think our Supes should drive up in the Bat Mobile!
Oh, and would have to wear a Supervisor-Hero costume.
Paul Silansky
12:01 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
As in business, if the budget is approved, let the Town Supervisor make his/her own selection within the budgeted amount - they know best what their need is. - Paul Silansky / Cutchogue
forward thinking
3:50 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Paul S...excellent and to simple for most to see. right on point.
Benja Schwartz
9:38 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
I agree that any official who is provided with a vehicle should have a say. But, there is no budget item for the Supervisor to buy a vehicle. Authority to decide on and approve purchase of a "Supervisors Vehicle" clearly belongs to the Town Board. For the Town Board to allow the Supervisor unfettered discretion would be a dereliction of duty.
This should be a personnel not a personal issue. Unfortunately as usual Supervisor Russell is approaching it as a personal issue. When I suggested that the Jeep Grand Cherokee might not be as good a choice as a Ford Focus or Fusion or Escape, Scott attacked me personally accusing me of being a salesman for Ford.
The point I was making is that before posting a Notice to buy a Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Town Board should have considered alternatives, including other less expensive and more efficient SUVs, and cars.
Benja Schwartz
10:19 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Funny how the subject online poll and the Supervisor agree.
Does anybody think the decision should be made by an online poll?
forward thinking
8:30 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
THIS IS A FORUM TO EXPRESS ONES FEELINGS AND POSITION. AND NOT DESIGNED TO MAKE DECISIONS. WE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO GUIDE SPENDING AND GOVERN ALONG THE LINES OF THE VOTERS. IT SEEMS TO ME WE DID A GOOD JOB SINCE THE SUP' IS IN LINE WITH THE POLL. WHILE I DISAGREE - IT SHOULD BE AN ESCAPE (NO I DONT SELL FORD OR OWN FORD STOCK) I OWN ONE AND REPLACED A JEEP WIITH IT.... GAS IS 5 MPG BETTER.
northside48
4:07 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
In these rough economic times i feel the supervisor should be purchasing his own vehicle. His salary is more than enough to be able to afford one. North forkers are struggling to make ends meet. Foreclosures are everywhere( i am fighting to keep mine at this very moment). We need to cut excess where ever possible. My taxes keep rising along with yours. All government needs to be run like a business with a budget. Or better yet. Like they do down south. This is the amount of money you are getting so make it work. No endless money pits there.
forward thinking
5:42 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
how many ceo's do you know that are not driven arround or at least own a lexus or better. the quality of "up-here" and the north fork is due to each of us and who we elect. the more we pay and the better the perks the higher quality person. just like business you get what you pay for.... the job as offered was including the usual and customary "perks" the current supe.' and some the former supe's were/are well worth the "perks" and are underpaid for what we demand...
northside48
8:03 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
so you are saying that we are all not worth the perks but certain individuals are. Last i checked no one stood above another. We are all equal. The job is exactly what you signed up for. No secrets there. But hey i am not surprised to get a comment from you.
forward thinking
9:00 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Check Again. All People Start Out Equal. But It Is When We Mature The Levels Are Creates. The World Is Made Up Of Many Different People. In My Industry We Have The People Who Only Want 9 To 5 With No Responsibility. Then There Are People Who Want More And Work For It By Putting In More Effort And Time. What Separates Us Is The Investment Of Money, Time Skill And Desire. Since Some Have Worked For The Skill They Are Rewarded, Since Some Have The Money To Invest They Too Should Be Rewarded. Others Who Have No Skill Or Money Invest Time They Too Should Be Rewarded. But Desire Without Effort Cannot Be Rewarded; However Desire Breads Ideas And They Are Rewarded. Only In A Pure And Simple Socialist Society (Like Russia Tried To Be And Failed) Where Greed Does Not Exist Is The “Everyone Equal” Concept Is Possible. I Just Know The Ditch Digger And The Brain Surgeon Are Humanly Equal But The Doctor Invested The “Extra” To Be Rewarded Accordingly To His / Her Investment Of Money, Time Along With Desire Which Gave Him/her The Skill. The ditch digger is just as valuable as the Doctor in our soiciety - i have no physical ability or desire to be a ditch digger but admire them for their desire and skill and do not think they or anyone is humanily below anyone.
forward thinking
9:02 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
now that we have drifted off subject - ford escape and his skill, desire and excessive time deserves it for it is usual and customary