Dems Plan 'Listen In' Forums

Democratic candidates for town board and supervisor are gearing up for the campaign trail this summer.

Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, who is running for town board, has organized "Listen In" forums that will focus on issues affecting residents there. The first one is planned for Springs, where Burke-Gonzalez calls home, on June 26.

It will be held at Ashawagh Hall at 6:45 p.m. Refreshments will be served for 15 minutes, and then the program will start at 7 p.m. Larry Cantwell, the supervisor candidate, will chair the meeting

The Springs community has had its fair share of growing pains in recent years, including code enforcement issues and higher taxes.

Cantwell will chair the meeting, "which the candidates hope will be an opportunity for residents throughout the community to express their thoughts, concerns and aspirations about living in Springs and what they think town government can do to improve the quality of life in the Springs community," a statement from the Democratic committee said.

Burke-Gonzalez said listening to the community is a central focus of hers since being elected to the Springs School Board nine years ago. She said it's important to know what's working and what's not working. "It is the key to being a good legislator and supporter of the community. We are there to listen and we trust that the Springs voters will have a lot to say," she said.

"We want to get feedback from the community from the different hamlets in East Hampton on important isuses in their neighborhood," Cantwell said.

Another "Listen In" forum is being planned for Montauk in July, she said. The plan is to try and hold the forums in each hamlet, though they organizing them one by one, she said.

Meanwhile, Democrats will hold a "Meet Our Candidates" party at Race Lane in East Hampton Village on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. Admission is $45 in advance $50 at the door.

Burke-Gonzalez and Job Potter will face Fred Overton and Dominick Stanzione, an incumbent, in the November election. Overton and Stanzione, Republicans, also have the nomination from the East Hampton Independence Party.

Cantwell's opponent has yet to be named. The East Hampton Republican Committee is meeting, again, on Wednesday to discuss possible candidates.

Do you like the idea of the "Listen In" forums? What are the major issues you feel are facing Springs? Tell us in the comments below.