Community Corner

Police Chief Named Montauk Person of the Year

Eddie Ecker Jr. will be honored on Dec. 8.

Cue the lights and sirens: the has announced the Person of the Year is Chief Eddie Ecker Jr.

Ecker, who was born and raised in Montauk, will be honored at the chamber's annual End of Season gala on Dec. 8 at restaurant.

"He's just so loved," said Larraine Creegan, the chamber's executive director. She said the chamber has worked closely with Ecker and his department on solving problems at the St. Patrick's Parade and on adding more parking in downtown Montauk.

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After 29 years in law enforcement, Ecker was named police chief in 2010, taking the helm upon the reitrement of Todd Sarris.

The chief won't be the first Ecker to receive the honor. His father, the late Edward Ecker Sr., a former East Hampton Town supervisor and councilman, was named Person of the Year in 1996, and his mother Frances Ecker was the 2002 Person of the Year.

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Last year, Montauk dentist received the honor.

"I feel so proud to be chosen for this. Anybody who know me knows I bleed Montauk. I'm a true Montauk guy," he said, adding that he is proud to be among the recipients of the award, most of whom he knows.

The chamber's 15 member board of directors starts the selection process in the summer by nominating people. "It's anybody we feel has contributed to the goodness and the best things about our town," Creegan said. "Generally, it is someone who has done an awful lot for the town."

Tickets will be $75 per person and will be available starting Oct. 28 at the chamber office and on the chamber website.

There will be a limit to the number of tickets sold, according to the chamber, so it is recommended that tickets be purchased well in advance.


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