Ben Dollinger said last week that he is fortunate not only to have been born and raised in East Hampton, but that he was able to remain and raise a family here. He visits a beach or bay at least once every day — “I consider it my backyard,” he said — so “I feel like it’s the least I can do, giving back to the environment and the community.”
A first-time candidate, Mr. Dollinger grew up off Three Mile Harbor Road and now lives along Fort Pond in Montauk, “a body of water that’s under attack.” The pond, which is not under trustee jurisdiction, has experienced dense blooms of toxic cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, as have Georgica and Wainscott Ponds, which are trustee waters.
“I think they’re doing a good job in defending public access, going above and beyond what the position calls for,” he said of the present board members, singling out Francis Bock, the clerk, and Jim Grimes, a deputy clerk, for their knowledge, passion, and commitment to their work. “I’m looking forward, if elected, to working with and learning from all of them.”
He advocates staggered trustee elections, rather than all nine seats going up for re-election simultaneously. “You need people who are involved in all of these issues to bring the new trustees up to speed,” he said.
The reality of climate change is undeniable, he said, and the trustees will be charged with addressing its manifestations. “Tides are getting higher, docks are being put under water at extreme high tides,” he said.
Mr. Dollinger, who works for the Amaden Gay insurance agency in East Hampton, said he would like to work on “anything that has to do with keeping Springs the way it is, the beauty that it has.” The education committee is another interest, he said.
Return to the main story to learn about the other candidates.