westhampton fun
06-13-2007, 10:14 AM
will try to visit homes of every registered voter
BY LUIS PEREZ AND MITCHELL FREEDMAN
luis.perez@newsday.com. mitchell.freedman.com
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June 13, 2007
With a year-round population of about 2,200 residents,
politics is very personal in Westhampton Beach. It is small enough that candidates all try to visit every registered voter in thr own homes.
This year, three candidates are running for two open seats on the village board of trustees. Because the two First Hampton Party candidates decided against a debate, saying there was no reason for one, the contest is playing out in leaflets, ads in local weekly papers, and over fences and door to door.
The election, to be held this Friday, has been marked by discussion of chronic pollution along the waterfront, the need to manage traffic better, Southampton town's reassessment and high taxes.
However, other issues are also percolating on the homestretch to the election. Dean Spr, a candidate on the Aspatuck Party line whose family has lived in the village for six generations, has complained that the village board, led by Mayor Conrad Teller, has been "micromanaging" the police department. Spr contends that led to schedule changes and the removal of a lieutenant's salary from the budget, forcing that officer's demotion to sergeant.
A firearms expert and gun industry writer, Spr, 66, said he could not see the village board race take place without opposition, and that he was particularly disturbed when village trustees voted themselves dental insurance coverage last year.
Another political newcomer is Hank Tucker, a 10-year village resident who is also running on the First Hampton Party line. The owner of the Holy Moses Cheesecake factory at Gabreski Airport and former president of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, Tucker said he jumped into the race because he is concerned about growth.
Tucker, 46, said growth is inevitable, but that the village's special quality of life can still be maintained with proper planning. "If we maintain the character of the village as we are doing that, and protect our natural resources, I think that goes a long way to keeping our village quaint," he said.
Also vying for a seat is incumbent Joan Levan, who was appointed a year ago to fill the seat that became vacant when then-trustee Teller was elected mayor. A candidate on the Frist Hampton Party line, Levan, 67, said she has worked hard to keep the village from changing too quickly. "We love our village the way it is," she said.
The most important issue, she added, is the increase in assessments by Southampton, which last year reassessed the entire town, leading to dramatic tax increases in Westhampton Beach. The village fought the hike with a special village grievance program in February, which helped more than 100 residents challenge thr assessments. (The assessment for school taxes and for town taxes remained unchanged.)
While Tucker and Levan share the same party line as Teller, the mayor is not formally endorsing any of the candidates. "I can pretty much work with anyone," he said.
The election, which also has Village Justice Robert Kelly Jr. running unopposed for a four-year term, will be held from noon to 9 p.m. Friday at Village Hall.
DEAN SPR, 66
Aspatuck Party
Issue: Micromanaging by the village board
JOAN LEVAN, 67
First Hampton Party
Issue: Southampton's assessments
HANK TUCKER, 46
First Hampton Party
Issue: Village growth, quality of life
BY LUIS PEREZ AND MITCHELL FREEDMAN
luis.perez@newsday.com. mitchell.freedman.com
Email this story
Printer friendly format
June 13, 2007
With a year-round population of about 2,200 residents,
politics is very personal in Westhampton Beach. It is small enough that candidates all try to visit every registered voter in thr own homes.
This year, three candidates are running for two open seats on the village board of trustees. Because the two First Hampton Party candidates decided against a debate, saying there was no reason for one, the contest is playing out in leaflets, ads in local weekly papers, and over fences and door to door.
The election, to be held this Friday, has been marked by discussion of chronic pollution along the waterfront, the need to manage traffic better, Southampton town's reassessment and high taxes.
However, other issues are also percolating on the homestretch to the election. Dean Spr, a candidate on the Aspatuck Party line whose family has lived in the village for six generations, has complained that the village board, led by Mayor Conrad Teller, has been "micromanaging" the police department. Spr contends that led to schedule changes and the removal of a lieutenant's salary from the budget, forcing that officer's demotion to sergeant.
A firearms expert and gun industry writer, Spr, 66, said he could not see the village board race take place without opposition, and that he was particularly disturbed when village trustees voted themselves dental insurance coverage last year.
Another political newcomer is Hank Tucker, a 10-year village resident who is also running on the First Hampton Party line. The owner of the Holy Moses Cheesecake factory at Gabreski Airport and former president of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, Tucker said he jumped into the race because he is concerned about growth.
Tucker, 46, said growth is inevitable, but that the village's special quality of life can still be maintained with proper planning. "If we maintain the character of the village as we are doing that, and protect our natural resources, I think that goes a long way to keeping our village quaint," he said.
Also vying for a seat is incumbent Joan Levan, who was appointed a year ago to fill the seat that became vacant when then-trustee Teller was elected mayor. A candidate on the Frist Hampton Party line, Levan, 67, said she has worked hard to keep the village from changing too quickly. "We love our village the way it is," she said.
The most important issue, she added, is the increase in assessments by Southampton, which last year reassessed the entire town, leading to dramatic tax increases in Westhampton Beach. The village fought the hike with a special village grievance program in February, which helped more than 100 residents challenge thr assessments. (The assessment for school taxes and for town taxes remained unchanged.)
While Tucker and Levan share the same party line as Teller, the mayor is not formally endorsing any of the candidates. "I can pretty much work with anyone," he said.
The election, which also has Village Justice Robert Kelly Jr. running unopposed for a four-year term, will be held from noon to 9 p.m. Friday at Village Hall.
DEAN SPR, 66
Aspatuck Party
Issue: Micromanaging by the village board
JOAN LEVAN, 67
First Hampton Party
Issue: Southampton's assessments
HANK TUCKER, 46
First Hampton Party
Issue: Village growth, quality of life