Two Supervisors have driven up and down the North Fork in a black Ford Crown Victoria— first Josh Horton and now Scott Russell.
But the 10-year-old car is "done," according to mechanic Teddy Griffin at in Mattituck. Repairs to the 10-year-old car have exceeded its value.
"The reason it got deadlined is because it needs a new intake manifold," he said. "And to fix that you have to change the whole top of the motor."
The Town Board is advertising for bids for a new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4X4, or a similar model. At Tuesday's work session, models such as the Ford Escape and the Ford Focus were also suggested.
What do you think would fit the supervisor the best as a replacement vehicle in 2012? An SUV or a smaller, more fuel-efficient car? Would it bother you to see the Town purchase a foreign car if it was the best deal?
Take our poll or let us know your thoughts below.
Want to save money for the town or foster your green streak, then focus on the big picture, fire department vehicles, police department vehicles, and other larger taxpayer funded fleets. 2 MPG saved in the police or fire fleets makes up for whatever the Supervisor drives by a factor of 10.
I dont think we should deny him a town car, but he should get the CHEAPEST 4wd (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!
I expect more from our Town Board. Taxpayers should not be broken by a vehicle that gets less than 20MPG I agree Supervisor Russell deserves a break. He can get one at Mc Donalds.
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.
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.
Whatever you do, don't let the Village Board get involved in picking it. Not unless you like Lemons
As to John Dough. I would know how to run a blog. I'm a computer dinosaur.
Usually Southold Town Government operates without public participation. Occasionally public outcry influences decisions. In this case the Town Clerk posted the Notice uploaded as an attachment to this article before the Town Board Meeting. Even though the Town Board voted to modify the Notice the original ultra vires Notice is still posted (on http://southoldtown.northfork.net/) on Sunday. The modification addressed, but did not cure, the illegal character of a Notice which arbitrarily favors Jeep. The Town Board recognized that the historic policy of buying Crown Vics is in need of an upgrade. What we don't need is a policy of vanity and personal preference.