Jim Henry, the Democratic candidate for Southampton town supervisor, criticized
incumbent Supervisor Patrick Heaney on a list of issues on Monday morning in front of Town Hall. With about 30
supporters in tow, Mr. Henry focused on tax issues such as the townwide reassessment and the cost of living in
the area, arguing that the town had increased spending over time, but was not responsive to the needs of the people.
“We’ve seen an erosion of performance on a whole host of issues,” Mr. Henry said while standing on a wooden box,
citing concerns about a lack of affordable housing and a belief the town was not moving fast enough to acquire
remaining open space. The event formally launched Mr.
Henry’s campaign. He was nominated to be the Democrats’ standard bearer in late May.
Mr. Henry said his campaign recently conducted a poll with 175 residents living west of the Shinnecock Canal. He
said more than half of those who responded said they were “extremely dissatisfied” with how the “Heaney-Kabot administration”
has performed on taxation issues.
Mr. Heaney is being challenged for the Republican nomination by Town Board member Linda Kabot.
To illustrate his point, Mr. Henry had Hampton Bays resident Eric Sutton tell how his property taxes jumped from
about $3,000 to $4,000 in 2001 to $12,000 after the latest reassessment.
“He appointed people to run the assessment who were incompetent and the result was predictable,” Mr. Henry said.
Instead, Mr. Henry called for a reassessment of commercial properties in order to level the tax burden in the town.
Mr. Henry added that, if elected, he would push New York State for a change in the property tax formula in order
to consider incomes.
With the campaign heating up, Mr. Henry said that in addition to meeting with community groups, he would begin
walking through Southampton Town to discuss issues with residents. “I need to get known,” Mr. Henry said.
Mr. Heaney later countered Mr. Henry’s arguments and said the Republican platform would be released later this
week or next week. “I’ve seen this campaign after campaign,” he said of Mr. Henry’s taxation criticism. According
to Mr, Heaney, the town has the lowest tax rate between Staten Island and Montauk.
Southampton Democratic Committee • PO Box 384 • Westhampton • New York
11977