“All experience is an arch, to build upon” — Henry Adams.
When it comes to governing, experience matters. Tommy John Schiavoni, currently a member of the Southampton Town Board, is running to represent New York State Assembly District 1. Tommy John’s breadth of life experiences make him uniquely qualified to go to Albany and represent us capably and passionately.
One of the responsibilities of a state assemblyman is to promote the public welfare and aid local governments and their agencies. As an active member of local government since 2008, when he was first appointed to the North Haven Village Zoning Board, Tommy John has been consistently advocating for the welfare of local residents. In 2014, he was elected to the North Haven Village Board. In 2016, he was appointed to the Southampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals and then elected to the Southampton Town Council in 2017. He also served on the Sag Harbor School Board of Education from 2014 to 2017.
Tommy John’s experience goes deeper and wider than elected positions. For three generations, Tommy John’s family operated a local plumbing and heating business in Sag Harbor, where he began working at age 12. Growing up alongside master tradesmen, Tommy John was exposed to the needs of our local trades and their families.
Additionally, Tommy John was a high school history teacher from 1988 until he retired in 2018; he taught U.S. history, government and civics. Tommy John is a staunch advocate for quality education and understands the needs of our educators to achieve this.
Further, as a town councilman, Tommy John advocates for clean air and water and a strong local economy. Tommy John will bring all these experiences to bear to forge productive working relationships with every local constituent group.
Assemblyman Fred Thiele leaves big shoes to be filled after so many years as an extraordinary public servant. But I suspect that we will talking the same way about Tommy John Schiavoni in short order if he is elected to replace Assemblyman Thiele as New York State assemblyman.
Andrea Klausner
Vice Chair
Southampton Town Democratic Committee
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