Politics & Government

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.

With an awaiting the chopping block at in Mattituck, the 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.

Find out what's happening in North Forkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • 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%)
    Total votes: 221

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:

Find out what's happening in North Forkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“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, as well as the 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 and 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


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here