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"Stelle-r" Evening
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2007 Southampton Candiates at the Stelle's home. From L
to R; Ruce King, Town Receiver, Janet Beck, Trustee, Sandra Dunn, Town Council, Jim Henry, Supervisor, Ann Throne-Holst,
Town Council, and Andrea Schiavoni, Town Justice.
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With sailboats dotting Shelter Island Sound in the background, and the lush gardens
in full bloom, more than 100 energized and active Democrats and supporters met at the home of former Democratic
Council candidate and North Haven Architect, Fred Stelle. Along with his charming wife, Bettina, Fred welcomed
the Democratic candidates and partygoers to a festive evening that was spectacular from it's beginning, with a
historic black and white photo exhibit, to it's end, where the sky put on a full color display to close out the
event with our own natural fireworks.
Later in the evening, the guests listened enthusiastically to the Democratic candidates as they made their case
for a turnover in town government.
Supervisor candidate, Jim Henry, stressed the hold that special interests have on the town and its decision-making
processes. Mr. Henry promised to accept no campaign contributions from those with business before Town government.
He also discussed the negative impacts of the recent tax reassessment. "Long-time residents are leaving the
area because their incomes are stagnant but their taxes are rising."
Council candidate, Sandra Dunn mentioned the need to foster unity within Southampton Town. Ms Dunn asserted that,
"solutions are comprehensive, more efficient and fair when the whole community and all stakeholders participate
in the process, not just special interests."
Council candidate Anna Throne-Holst decried the division in Southampton's government and the reluctance to get
problems solved, "It has taken seven months to revise the ethics code. This is a no-brainer, this should have
been accomplished long ago. Southampton Town needs a new ethics code and, along with a new code, a town government
beyond reproach."
Andrea Schiavoni, Town Justice candidate, stressed her independence and lack of political entanglements. Ms. Schiavoni,
a former attorney in Florida Attorney General Janet Reno's Narcotic Office and a practicing mediator and arbitrator
asserted that her lack of political and business entanglements would allow her to render impartial justice. "Everyone
who comes before the bench needs to believe that their point of view will be heard honestly and impartially. This
is my pledge, to give everyone who comes before me a fair hearing."
Trustee candidate Janet Beck, whose family has owned a home on the water in Westhampton since 1958, asserted that,
"after 330 years it's time for a woman to finally serve in the Trustee position in Southampton Town,"
and lamented the deterioration of Southampton waters mentioning "the loss of marine and shellfish habitat
throughout the town."
Bruce King, Receiver of taxes candidate mentioned his lifelong residence in Hampton Bays and that his opponent's
qualifications seem to be that she, "is related to a prominent Republican figure. That is why she was appointed
assistant to the Tax Receiver. We want to end cronyism in Town Hall and bring competence to the fore."
In addition to fundraising activities, the guests also viewed artist, Mia Grosjean's exhibit, "From New York
to Paris To Moscow." Along with her mother Emlen Davies Evers, Ms. Grosjean presented this retrospective of
her grandfather's travels in the former Soviet Union as U.S. Ambassador under FDR. Ambassador Davies' diplomatic
efforts were instrumental in keeping the Soviet Union in the Allies camp during World War II. The photos dated
back to 1938, and recalled a time of crisis and challenge. On display were fifteen photos from the Ambassador's
passage aboard the Queen Mary, the railway station in Cherbourg, dascha in Russia, local citizens and notable figures
from that period.
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Southampton Democratic Committee • PO Box 384 • Westhampton • New York 11977