Lively Debate at Concerned Citizens of Montauk

Those arriving at the Montauk Firehouse on Sunday for the political debate sponsored by Concerned Citizens of Montauk had no doubt that State Senator Lee Zeldin was going to be there. Dozens of Zeldin for Congress signs were being waved at the entrance and a big bus in the parking lot carried the message. Once inside, the audience was peppered by those wearing Zeldin for Congress T-shirts. The event was well attended, with more than 100 prospective voters on hand.

Mr. Zeldin is running against Representative Tim Bishop, the incumbent, who arrived at the event  only accompanied by his wife.

During the two-hour event, both candidates said they believed in equal pay for men and women, and Mr. Bishop said he was a cosponsor of the Fairness Pay Act. They also agreed that Congress is not doing its best, although Mr. Bishop used the moment to say the most debilitating emotion in Congress has been anger. “It’s difficult to legislate with anger. I will never bring anger. I bring civility,” he said. They did not agree, however, on what was termed amnesty for immigrants or on Obamacare.

Mr. Zeldin said he opposes amnesty and favors increased border control. Mr. Bishop said he favors a 15-year path to citizenship in which those here illegally would pay fines and back taxes.

 Mr. Bishop said Obamacare is working, with 13 million people now having insurance. He said there were problems that still have to be worked out and an increased reliance on generic medication would help. Although some aspects of Obamacare seem to be working, Mr. Zeldin said he would seek its repeal.

The atmosphere changed when a woman in the audience asked Mr. Bishop if it was true that he had taken a bribe to expedite a fireworks display for a constituent. The congressman said the required permit application had been submitted only 60 days in advance when 180 days were required. He had asked such entities as the Army Corps and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Southampton Town Trustees to act on the application quickly. But, he said, “I did not intercede with the outcome. I just asked them to move it to the top, and I was cleared after a 21-month investigation by the Department of Justice.”

It was Mr. Bishop’s turn to chide Mr. Zeldin, and he did so about his opponent’s low score from an environmental group. “How do you justify having a score of 50 when Fred Thiele scored 100?” he asked Mr. Zeldin, who responded that matters he voted on as a State senator, such as a repeal of the Metropolitan Transportation Agency payroll tax and saltwater fishing license fees, were held against him. “The devil is always in the details,” he said.

Mr. Bishop complained that a mailing sent out by Mr. Zeldin insulted him, claiming that he was threatening national security by favoring moving Guantanamo prisoners to a Department of Defense prison where they could be housed at less cost. Mr. Zeldin said he does not favor closing Guantanamo. “We should not negotiate with terrorists,” he said.

Mr. Zeldin, a member of the Army Reserve, had strong words for protecting veterans’ rights. “I will stand up to my own leadership if they ever propose to do anything to hurt our veterans,” he said.

Jeremy Samuelson, the executive director of  Concerned Citizens of Montauk, asked Mr. Zeldin if he was in favor of strong coastal policy. Mr. Zeldin said the issue had two components, one a study and the other a solution. “Things get studied to death. But studies work. Now we’ve reached the point where we need to execute sand,” he said.

Otherwise, Mr. Bishop held the floor. He said he was proud of his 12 years of service in Congress and had dedicated his time to each and every individual. “We call it constituency service, and we do it very well,” he said.

He said he had fostered a partnership with the federal government on such local issues as getting the Lake Montauk inlet dredged. “I literally went to the top. I told them I have to have a dredge or ports between Montauk and New York will be shut down,” he said.

Before State Senator Kenneth LaValle and Assemblyman Frederick W. Thiele Jr. took their turns at the podium, Mr. Zeldin’s team packed up their signs and boarded the bus to head west.

Mr. LaValle, a Republican, is being opposed by Michael Conroy, a Democrat; Mr. Thiele’s challengers are Heather Collins, Republican, and Brian DeSesa, Conservative. Neither attended the event so the incumbents were free to tout their accomplishments.