Stephen Lester, having served six terms as a town trustee, did not seek re-election in 2015. “I needed a break,” he said this week. “I had to take care of myself.”
But he had enjoyed serving as a trustee, he said, and people often asked him why he was no longer on the board. In observing “changes in the board” and “some things I’m not happy with,” he decided to throw his hat back in the ring. “I figured I’d try it again,” he said, “to see if I can help the community.” He served on many trustee committees during his previous tenure, with a focus on beaches and harbors.
“From what I see and hear from other people, there’s a lot of back-room talk” among the present board, he said. “Things aren’t done properly, it’s too political. I don’t think it’s a political job.” Rather, the trustees’ role is “to serve the community, to do what’s best for the community.”
Mr. Lester was also critical of the trustees’ relationship with the D.E.C. When he was a trustee, D.E.C. permits were technically given to the town, a means for the trustees, a body that predates the D.E.C. and the town board to assert jurisdiction. “We didn’t think that was a good idea” for the trustees to be the permittee, he said of his former colleagues. “We didn’t want to lose what we had. I don’t know if that’s going to affect the trustees in the long run.”
He questioned the new lease terms at trustee-owned land at Lazy Point, the trustees having agreed to lengthen leases from 1 to 35 years so tenants would have an opportunity to obtain mortgages. The trustees must also ensure that waterways under their jurisdiction are adequately dredged to ensure both water quality and navigability, he said. “I’d like to see more done.”
Mr. Lester works for Bistrian Materials in Amagansett. His surname is synonymous with fishing in East Hampton, he is a descendant of a family who have lived here for many generations. Voters, he said, “have seen what I’ve done in the past, and they’re happy with it. I’d like to see them re-elect me.”
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