Independence Party Endorses Cantwell

Larry Cantwell, who declared his candidacy for town supervisor last month, now has the support of the East Hampton Independence Party.

The committee nominated Cantwell, a registered Democrat, last week over Zachary Cohen, who ran for town supervisor in 2011 on the Democratic line — and with the committee's support — and lost to Supervisor Bill Wilkinson by less than a dozen votes.

Cohen, who is not registered with any major party, was the only other candidate to screen for the position. Nancy Keeshan, a town planning board member, pulled out a few days before the screenings last week, according to Elaine Jones, the Independence Party chairwoman said in a statement.

In the last race, the local party endorsed Cohen, but Wilkinson, the Republican incumbent, appeared on the Independence line. State and Suffolk County Party Chairman Frank MacKay signed a document known as the Wilson Pakula for Wilkinson, overriding the local decision.

This time around, though, the party decided to go with a candidate they said has the most experience. It remains to be seen if Cantwell will receive an endorsement from his own party. The East Hampton Democratic Committee has not nominated a supervisor, or any other positions, yet. 

Cantwell has worked as the East Hampton Village Administrator for 30 years and previously served on the town board. "He carries with him the peaceful demeanor needed to bring consensus and unified forward-thinking among people. And his more than 30 years in public service is a testament to the success of his approach," Jones said in a statement. "It's Larry's time," she said.

If Cantwell were to win, the town board would shift from a Republican majority to a Democratic majority. 

After screening a total of six candidates for town board, the Independence Party also nominated Fred Overton and Dominick Stanzione, the incumbent. Both have received the Republican party nominations.

Overton is the current town clerk, a former town assessor for eight years. "In all his positions he has been presented with difficult and confidential situations that were handled with finesse and genuine kindness," the statement said. "He is unflappable."

Stanzione deserves another four years as a councilman, Jones said. She said he has shown the ability to work with others and think for himself. "More importantly he has been able to flourish under pressure when he has had to battle to be an independent thinker," Jones said.

Joseph Bloecker, the Republican candidate for town assessor, received the Independence Party nod, by default, according to Jones. The committee was surprised that Eugene de Pasquale, a Democratic incumbent whom the Independence Party has supported in the past, did not submit a resume or screen. She said he called nearly a week after the screenings to ask if he could do so. De Pasquale did not immediately return a call for comment.

Bloecker, a current town trustee, is a contractor and carpenter. "He knows the trials of citizens who struggle to survive and the plight of people trying to improve their surroundings," Jones said.

Three people screened for the position of town justice, and the committee decided to go with Carl Irace, a former town attorney and a prosecutor whom the Republicans endorsed in early March. "He's young. He's 38 years old. It's what we need in court. He also presented himself with that mild demeanor," Jones said. Steven Tekulsky, who has previously run for town justice, and Joseph Giannini, both East Hampton attorneys, also screened.

Sitting Town Justice Catherine A. Cahill, a Democrat, is not seeking re-election.

The Independence Party also endorsed Carole Brennan, the only one to screen for the position, for town clerk. The current deputy town clerk, Brennan has received the Republican nomination and has also screened with the Democrats.

Stephen Lynch, the Republican town highway superintendent, has also received the nod from the Independence Party. He was the only one to screen, Jones said.

As for the town trustees, the party nominated six incumbent trustees; Stephanie Talmage Forsberg, Sean McCaffrey, Nat Miller, Steven Lester, Tim Bock, and Diane McNally. All of candidates are Republicans, except for Lester, a Democrat.

The party also nominated three others. Brian Pardini and Dennis Curles are both Republican candidates, and Brian Byrnes, an Independence nominee who ran as a Democrat in the past.

"Now it's up to the people," Jones said.

What do you think of the Independence Party's selections? Tell us in the comments below.