East Hampton Dems Want Bragman for Town Board
With its endorsement of Jeffrey Bragman for town councilman, the East Hampton Town Democratic Committee’s screening committee has signed off on a slate of candidates for town board and other townwide offices. Official nominations will be made at a May 17 convention.
Mr. Bragman, an attorney, will join Councilman Peter Van Scoyoc, who is running for supervisor, and Councilwoman Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, who is seeking a second term, at the top of the Democrats’ ticket. In choosing him, the screening committee passed over a perennial contender, Zachary Cohen of Springs, who ran a tight race for town supervisor in 2011 and had announced his intention to seek a town board nomination last month.
"This year was amazing and I have to believe it has something to do with people's outrage about the current president and the state of affairs nationally," Jeanne Frankl, the Democratic Committee's co-chairwoman, said in a statement. "We had 10 qualified candidates interview for the town council positions and only two spots to fill. Our interviews and deliberations have taken over two months, but we are extremely happy with the outcome and believe we have qualified, experienced people who know the issues and know how to formulate policies to deal with those issues."
Mr. Bragman has represented the town's architectural review board, zoning board of appeals, and planning board, as well as applicants before various planning and zoning boards. He was also counsel to the North Haven Village Zoning Board of Appeals and served as that village's attorney. He is a member of the Community Preservation Fund Advisory Opinions Bureau.
The 2017 campaign will be Mr. Bragman's first foray into politics.
The three Democrats are expected to face Manny Vilar, the East Hampton Town Republican Committee's nominee for supervisor, and Jerry Larsen and Paul Giardina, its candidates for town board.
The Democrats' screening committee also recommended four incumbents for re-election: Town Clerk Carole Brennan; Steve Lynch, a Republican whom the Democrats cross-endorsed for superintendent of highways; East Hampton Town Justice Steven Tekulsky, and Eugene DePasquale for assessor.
"I am so honored to have received the support of the screening committee and look forward to running with Kathee and Jeff," Mr. Van Scoyoc said in a statement. "I am proud of my 16-year record of leadership in East Hampton Town government protecting our natural resources, open space, and environment. I will continue to work to improve and protect water quality, achieve relief for those affected by aircraft noise, and combat threats to our quality of life throughout the town."
"While tremendous challenges lie ahead, I have proven that I have what it takes to lead," Ms. Burke-Gonzalez said in a statement of her own. "With community support I hope to continue to bring my energy, experience, and commitment to townwide office for another four years."
The Democrats also named their nine trustee candidates.