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Southampton Town Council Candidate Stan Glinka (Courtesy Photo) |
What in your professional background qualifies you to be elected to the Southampton Town Council?
Stan Glinka: I have been in banking for 21 years out on the East End. I am currently a VP at BNB. I have been very involved with civic and charity organizations throughout the town from west to east. I am currently president of the HB chamber of commerce, VP for HB rotary club, President of the Rogers Memorial Library Foundation, Treasurer of the Southampton Business Alliance, Board member for the Dominican Sisters family health services and currently sit on the Audit Advisory Board for the Town of Southampton. Being given the honor of nomination to run for Town Council to me is the next step in my progression of community involvement. Now I can bring my knowledge of the needs and wants of our residents together with my financial expertise and management skills and make a meaningful contribution at Town Hall.
It is difficult, if not impossible, for young people that grew up Southampton Town to remain in the community due mainly to the high property values and taxes, as a member of the Town Council what would you do to solve this problem, if it is solvable at all?
S.G: I am fortunate enough to be able to return here after college and be able to live and work in the Town. Creating Affordable work force housing, giving young adults starting out the opportunity to own something and help them get established. There are many young professionals that cannot afford to buy anything in the community. I would establish a community land trust for affordable home-ownership opportunities and work productively with the town housing authority, the SH Business Alliance Housing Initiative. I would balance our preservation agenda with economic development and meeting house needs for our workforce, emergency responders and next generation of local families and business owners.
Although necessary, if not vital, to the seasonal industries like landscaping, hospitality and construction, the issue of illegal workers is of growing concern to residents. How would you address this issue if elected to the Town Council?
S.G.: Code enforcement issues are significant in some areas of the Town. The work load on the code enforcement personnel is significant. Recognizing the growing nature of the problem, the Town Board should consider holding special meetings, specifically noticed for public hearings dealing with quality of life issues in the affected communities. Looking at the staffing level in code enforcement would also be one the forefront issues. Illegal workers is a federal government issue, as a Town Board member we can enforce overcrowding housing and holding those homeowners allowing it accountable for the safety of others.
Fiscal responsibility in government is an important issue on both federal and local levels with taxpayers demanding accountability more so than ever. How will you assure the Southampton Town taxpayers that their dollars are being well spent and do you see any waste in the Southampton Town budget and departments that you would specifically mitigate or at least redirect to better use?
S.G.: I would be looking at the budget and staffing models for each department in the Town, ensuring that all revenues are being properly allocated for staffing in the areas that are needed. I would also be looking at the monies that are spent on consulting and outside agencies that may not be necessary. Finding creative ways to hold the line on property taxes by controlling government spending, eliminating wastes as mentioned. Improving communications between the taxpayers and concerted efforts to advise of tax relief programs.
Balancing business expansion with environmental preservation is not always an easy task, what measures would you take as a member of the Town Council to improve economic growth while maintaining the open space natural splendor that is iconic to our region?
S.G.: Economic redevelopment is a major concern in the town. Making it more attractive to investors and businesses to come and set up in the Town, by offering incentives whether it be tax based or stream lining the process of setting up a business or redeveloping and refurbishing a commercial property. Working with existing properties in refurbishing them and most importantly listening to the community and what they would like to see developed and refurbished. Providing a transparency in town hall government, we particularly need to open communications up between the Town Trustees and the Town Board. There is a huge communication gap there and I do not understand why.
