Politics & Government

Strong Turn Out for Democratic Forum

Democratic candidates hold first in series of "Listen In" forums in Springs.

Springs taxpayers got a chance to share their concerns with the Democratic candidates for town board last week, in the first of a series of "Listen In" forums being held around town.

According to East Hampton Democratic chairwoman Jeanne Frankl, Supervisor candidate Larry Cantwell and town council candidates Kathee Burke-Gonzalez and Job Potter spoke briefly about their qualifications and experience as elected officials before opening it up to about 65 residents in attendance at Ashawagh Hall on June 26. About two dozen asked questions. 

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Among the issues raised were "overcrowded housing, noisy and messy neighborhoods, dangerous roads, neglected beaches and the town’s highest taxes and most overburdened schools," Frankl said. "Speaker after speaker expressed the conviction that Springs is 'last in line,' 'always gets less,' 'is the 'low hamlet on the totem poll.'"

Cantwell walked around the room with a microphone encouraging the speakers to be heard. "While the candidates deferred offering solutions to the problems raised, they made clear they were committed to exploring all options for 'effective code enforcement' and would have the 'will to enforce from the supervisor on down the line.'," Frankl said.

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The next “Listen In" will be held in Montauk at Gurney's Inn on July 29 rom 7 to 9 p.m.

Did you attend the Listen In forum in Springs? What did you think of it? Tell us in the comments below.

Correction: There were over 65 people people in attendance, not two dozen as was previously noted. 


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