Knobel to Run for East Hampton Supervisor
Tom Knobel, the chairman of the East Hampton Town Republican Committee and a former member of the town board and town trustees, intends to challenge the incumbent, Larry Cantwell, for the position of town supervisor in the election in November. The Republican committee, which screened candidates last night, will vote on Tuesday.
“We need leadership at the town supervisor level,” Mr. Knobel, who also seeks the endorsement of the Conservative and Independence Parties, said yesterday. “I have some abilities I would bring to it. Also, I would attempt to unite rather than divide — this board has brought forth a number of divisive issues without solutions. To that end, I can offer quite a bit.”
He cited controversial matters including the downtown Montauk beach stabilization project, East Hampton Airport, and the community preservation fund as “issues that have townwide consequences.” He will outline his positions in greater detail, he said, pending his party’s nomination.
Mr. Knobel, who works for the Suffolk County Board of Elections, ran unsuccessfully for supervisor in 1997. “Obviously, every go-round has issues, and they change,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it. And as much as there’s a nervousness, I’m sure my counterpart, Larry Cantwell, welcomes the opportunity to offer his ideas. It’s nice to be able to say what you’re about.”
Mr. Cantwell, who ran unopposed in 2013 and will seek re-election on the Democratic ticket, agreed. “The public benefits from a debate and conversations in an election,” he said yesterday. “I welcome an opponent.” He is also seeking the endorsement of the Independence Party.
The Democratic Party’s screening committee, which has been interviewing candidates since March, will present its recommendations to the full committee tonight. It has recommended Mr. Cantwell as well as Councilman Peter Van Scoyoc and Councilwoman Sylvia Overby for the offices they currently hold, and has endorsed Justice Lisa R. Rana, Steven Lynch, the incumbent town highway superintendent, and Jeanne Nielsen and Jill Massa, the incumbent assessors.
For trustees, the Democrats have recommended Bill Taylor, Brian Byrnes, and Deborah Klughers, all incumbents, as well as Francis Bock, Pat Mansir, Rona Klopman, Zachary Cohen, Tyler Armstrong, and Rick Drew.
Greg Mansley, media director for the Republican committee, called Mr. Knobel’s candidacy “a breath of fresh air in a very smoky room.” As supervisor, he would represent an improvement, Mr. Mansley said. “Tom’s got a lot of expe rience. He’s quite forthright and presents both sides of a case. He really puts a lot of thought into what he’s doing before he says it. I appreciate that in a candidate as well as an individual.”
Elaine Jones, the chairwoman of the Independence Party, said that her party will await the conclusion of the Democratic and Republican Parties’ screening process before announcing endorsements. That announcement may come on Monday, she said, adding that people may be surprised by some endorsements, particularly for town trustee.
“It’s very good that they have endorsed Tom Knobel,” Ms. Jones said of the Republicans, “because it’s right that there be two choices. I’m glad that they found a supervisor candidate because I would rather see a competition. The people should have a choice.”
Lona Rubenstein, a consultant and strategist who worked on Mr. Knobel’s previous campaign for supervisor and supported Mr. Cantwell’s 2013 campaign, offered a positive assessment of the upcoming contest. “Listen to Lona — 81 is the new 40,” she said. “I just think East Hampton can’t lose with either of them. They’re both good.”
Mr. Knobel was accepted to law school, Ms. Rubenstein said, but chose to make a living as a commercial fisherman. “I always had a lot of respect for someone who made those choices,” she said.
Mr. Cantwell, she said, “has done a wonderful job. Larry has really done a good job in a tough environment — the town is becoming more like Massapequa in terms of development, population, available land. Where one time it was just the Bonackers and the people from away, there are so many interest groups involved now. The problems are more like those facing the UpIsland towns.”