Letters

Back From The Brink

Our county government is at a crossroads, and the path to a positive future is in your hands. We need to elect proven leaders who will bring fiscal solvency and results.

I am honored to offer a choice to the voters for the position of Suffolk County legislator.

My record in local government is built on listening to the voices of the taxpayers and solving their problems. I have done this in a way that is not only cost-effective but without creating and increasing bureaucratic nightmares. I bring common sense and principled leadership to the table, with a proven track record in reaching across the aisle to work with others for the common good, regardless of political affiliation.

As former Southampton Town supervisor and councilwoman, I have demonstrated that I can make the difficult, necessary decisions, just as I did in 2008 and 2009 during an economic downturn.

We need to elect community servants who are not afraid to make the hard choices to cut spending, to reduce accumulated debt, and to eliminate operating deficits. This will not be easy, with special interests pushing back like the tail that wags the dog.

The Independent County Budget Review Office, state comptroller and County Comptroller John Kennedy have stated that Suffolk County has never been closer to the margin when it comes to covering daily operating expenses, and we are hovering around junk bond status. The situation is dire. We need to cut government expenses to live within our means and put an end to political budgeting, and excessive borrowing to the detriment of our children and grandchildren.

Difficult times require difficult decisions and representatives who have the fortitude to stand up for the taxpayers. It’s time to stop kicking the can down the road and pull Suffolk County back from the brink of financial disaster.

Moreover, Suffolk County has raided over $171 million from clean water funds to pay for day-to-day operating expenses, which has been ruled illegal by a state appellate court. Raiding of environmental funds should be reason enough for any environmentally conscious voter to not vote for the incumbent county executive and rubber-stamp legislators who have allowed this to happen.

There are many challenges that face us regionally: affordable housing, water quality, economic development, transportation, public safety and continued environmental protection. Fiscal responsibility is the No. 1 issue. Without fiscal solvency, we are doomed. We need a county legislator who will advocate for the critical issues facing our region, who has a true understanding of what being fiscally responsible means.

On Election Day, I hope to earn your vote of confidence for the office of Suffolk County legislator, District 2. For more info, visit: www.LindaKabotForSuffolk.com.

Linda A. Kabot

Quogue

Ms. Kabot is the designated candidate for the Republican, Conservative and Libertarian parties — Ed.