Public scolding in Suffolk shelter spat

The head of Suffolk County's social services department Monday blasted Southampton's town supervisor in a public response to a letter she recently sent to the owner of a Hampton Bays motel that now houses homeless families.

The letter, sent Dec. 7, is the latest in a dispute between the town and county over the conversion of the Hidden Cove Motel, a two-story, 32-unit waterfront property on West Tiana Road.

In the letter to Mark McAvoy, the motel's owner and operator, Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst outlines the town's zoning laws pertaining to motels. For years, Hidden Cove provided low-income rentals.

Some residents who live near the motel said they are upset that it's now being used as a homeless shelter, concerns that prompted the town to assure compliance with zoning and building codes.

"I encourage you to discuss this information with your own legal representative to ensure that your operation is in compliance," Throne-Holst said in her letter.

But Gregory Blass, Suffolk's commissioner of the Department of Social Services, said the letter is just an attempt by Throne-Holst to oust people from the shelter.

"If the homeless families attended fundraisers, and purchased ads in political journals, clearly they would be spared this crude fraud," he wrote. "We ask Supervisor Holst to leave them alone. There but for the grace of God goes she and any of us."

Blass asserted that "this is not her first devious ploy when it comes to housing the homeless," noting a previous legal spat between the town and county on the housing of homeless sex offenders on county property in Westhampton. Throne-Holst said the trailers were not moved to different townships as originally promised, but stayed in Southampton.

Throne-Holst said the town has no issue with homeless shelters, but should be included in the conversation because it is "better suited to evaluate what is a better location," such as what school districts are affected.

"It's a disgraceful display of unprofessionalism on his part," Throne-Holst said of Blass' reply. "Not once has he picked up the phone and attempted to talk to me on the issues. All we are asking is for a seat at the table."

Families housed at the motel are mostly young women with children, there for short stays before more-permanent shelter is found, Blass said. He added that many are victims of domestic violence. "They are going to have very little to enjoy this Christmas," he said.