Politics & Government

Dems Recommend Cantwell For Supe; Nomination Not Secure Until Next Week

Steven Tekulsky receives support for second town justice run; Kathee Burke Gonzalez and Job Potter slated for town board.

After months of anticipation, the East Hampton Democratic Committee announced its candidates for the November election on Monday, though the nominations won't be official until next week.

The screening committee recommended supporting Larry Cantwell for town supervisor. A Democrat, Cantwell already received the nomination from the Independence Party. Both parties chose to go with Cantwell instead of Zachary Cohen, who ran against Bill Wilkinson in 2011 on the Democratic line, falling short by just a dozen votes.

Betty Mazur, the screening committee chair, also reported that the committee recommended Kathee Burke Gonzalez, the current president of the Springs School Board, and Job Potter, a former town councilman, for town board.

Steven Tekulsky, an East Hampton attorney who ran against East Hampton Town Justice Lisa R. Rana in 2007, received the screening committee's recommendation to be the Democrat in judicial robes. Justice Catherine A. Cahill, a Democrat who has been on the bench for 20 years, is retiring. Joseph Giannini also screened for the position.

Tekulsky will take on Carl Irace, who received the Republican and Independence nods.

The final candidate selection will be confirmed at the Democratic Nominating Convention on May 15.

Carole Brennan, the current deputy town clerk, has the support from all of the parties. The current deputy town clerk, she already has the nomination from the Republicans and the Independence Party to replace Fred Overton, who is leaving the clerk position and running for town board on the Republican ticket. His running mate is Town Councilman Dominick Stanzione.

The Democratic screening committee said it recommended the cross-endorsement of Republican Stephen Lynch, the current town highway superintendent. He also received the Independence Party nomination.

Eugene De Pasquale received the screening committee's support to retain his current position as one of the town’s three assessors. Joseph Bloecker is running on the Republican ticket.

The screening committee has not yet decided on its slate of trustee recommendations. There are nine positions in total.

“East Hampton Democrats were proud of the roster of fine people who came to us to screen for the supervisor and council positions this year, although it required some difficult decisions," Mazur said.

"In Larry Cantwell, Kathee Burke Gonzalez and Job Potter we have recommended a group of seasoned leaders with diverse experience, expertise and connections to our community, all committed to our Democratic principles and known for their ability to work effectively with others. With current Democratic Councilpersons Sylvia Overby and Peter Van Scoyoc, they will be make up an effective team for solving the challenging problems facing our town at this time," she said.

Cantwell has 37 years of experience in East Hampton government. Since 1982, he has worked as the Village Administrator of the Village of East Hampton, a position from which he will retire this summer. He was also a town councilman from 1976-1982, and also served on the planning board, as the chairman of the East Hampton Housing Authority and a member of the East End Environmental and Economic Task Force.

Cantwell said he was "proud and humbled" by the recommendation. "I look forward to earning the support of the full Democratic Committee. I will work hard to gain the support of the people of East Hampton for the serious decisions we will need to make in this challenging time," Cantwell said, in a statement. Later, he adde, "I will work hard to gain the support of the people of East Hampton and address the challenging issues of coastal erosion, groundwater protection, fiscal responsibility, and protecting our residential neighborhoods."

Burke Gonzalez, a registered Democrat involved with the committee, was first elected to the Springs School Board in 2004, and served as the president since July 2011. Her term ends in June. She has had a career in advertising since 1992, and worked locally as the director of client services with Rav & Associates for 13 years. She is an account director with Blumenfeld + Fleming in Montauk.

Meanwhile, Potter served as a town councilman for eight years from 1998 to 2005. He also served on the planning board from 1994 to 1997. Outside of government, he worked in commercial draggers out of Montauk, on two charter schooners, and at a boatyard, before becoming a real estate appraiser for eight years. He also holds a license as a real estate broker with Sotheby’s. A musician, he plays and hosts music events around town.

Potter said he enjoyed serving the town in the past. “Among my first goals," he said, "will be restoring civility and bi-partisan cooperation on the Town Board and the practice of treating employees and the public with respect and consideration," echoing a sentiment Cantwell made when he first declared his candidacy last month.


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