Another Southampton Town Council opening

Councilman Jim Malone, leader of the Southampton Conservative Party, won't seek re-election later this year, he said yesterday, casting more uncertainty over the future makeup of the town council.

Malone, who is in his first term, said he was accepted into a two-year executive master's degree program at a Manhattan school last week.

"I'm moving on to another chapter in my life," said Malone, 51. He said he intends to stay involved with Conservative Party politics. "The future of the town is in good hands."

The master's will be in public administration, economics and finance at a Manhattan school that he declined to name because final details are being ironed out.

The town council will have two new members. Republican Chris Nuzzi will be forced out by term limits.

Republicans and Democrats will hold nominating conventions over the next few weeks before the fall elections.

The board also includes Repubilcan Christine Scalera, Democrat Bridget Fleming, and town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, an Independence Party member. Throne-Holst is also up for re-election and is likely to get the Democratic endorsement, while Republicans could put up former Supervisor Linda Kabot.