Week in Review: Elections Held in East Hampton; Airport Study Released

A look back at the week of Nov. 4. 

1.  'Serial Burglar' Faces Life in Prison for South Fork Burglaries

Justin T. Bennett, who was arrested last month after an investigation into dozens of burglaries in East Hampton and Southampton towns, could spend life in prison. Assistant District Attorney Michelle Chiuchiolo, who works in the Suffolk County District Attorney's Major Crimes Bureau, said that Bennett, 35, is looking at 15 years on each of the 25 second-degree burglary charges handed down in the 27-count indictment on Nov. 1. 

2.  Overton, Burke-Gonzalez Win Seats on the Town Board

Republican candidate Fred Overtonand Democratic candidate Kathee Burke-Gonzalez will join Supervisor Elect Larry Cantwell on the East Hampton Town Board in 2014. 

3. Tekulsky's the Next East Hampton Justice; Incumbent Assessor Retains Seat

Democrats held on to key positions in Tuesday's election. In one of the most closely watched races in the Town of East Hampton this election season, Steven Tekulsky was elected the next East Hampton Town Justice on Tuesday. Meanwhile, fellow Democrat Eugene DePasquale III was re-elected as an East Hampton Town Assessor. 

Tekulsky received 3,487 votes, or 59.55 percent with all 19 election districts reporting in. Challenger Carl Irace, a Republican, received 2,367 votes or 40.42 percent.

4. Study Claims Airport Is 'Economic Lifeline' for Town; Opponents Shoot Down Theory

A study on the East Hampton Airport released last week shows the airport's economic benefits, but airport noise opponents claim it's a flawed report that's release is suspect given the close proximity to the election.

The report, paid for by a coalition of airport users and businesses, like Sound Aircraft, and the Eastern Region Helicopter Council, was compiled by the Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management at New York University in collaboration with Appleseed, a New York City-based economic development consulting firm. It was released on Oct. 30.

5. Schneiderman Holds On To County Seat for 1 Last Term

Jay Schneiderman won a sixth and final term on the Suffolk County Legislature, handily warding off challenger Chris Nuzzi.

Schneiderman, an Independence Party member from Montauk, received 11,329 votes, or 60.34 percent, while Nuzzi receive 7,444 votes, or 39.64 percent, with 65 of the 68 election districts reporting.