Town Board

For the Town Board, we endorse Peter Hammerle for re-election. Here is a man who has grown in office and who, during debates, has shown himself to be thoroughly immersed in the tasks still ahead. He is believable when he says he is able to work in the spirit of bipartisanship, having done so two years ago with Republican Town Councilman Len Bernard to defuse a politically loaded debate over the recycling and composting center. This is the model other Town Board members should follow, and that goes as well for Supervisor Lester.

As for the remaining Town Board seat, we respect Nancy McCaffrey for putting herself on the line again this year after being defeated two years ago, but do not think she is the kind of leader needed to get us through the next few years, when innovative thinking, especially in creating the new comprehensive plan, will be paramount.

Her Republican running mate, Diana Weir, 56, and Mr. Hammerle's Democratic running mate, Lisa Grenci, 36, bring some of the same qualities to the table. Both are extremely energetic, no-nonsense, business-minded women, who understand the importance of bringing the town's technology, in which it is regrettably lagging, up to par.

Ms. Weir, former chief of staff to Representative Michael P. Forbes, would also lend the board a broader perspective. She has not only an insider's knowledge of how things work in Washington, but, presumably, valuable contacts there.

Recently, however, she stained an otherwise straightforward campaign by referring to the Town Board's Democrats as "vermin." She was talking about an attempt by former Democratic Supervisor Tony Bullock to get her fired from the Bank of the Hamptons, she explained later (he denies it). But the remark came straight from the hip; more even-handedness is expected of a Town Board member.

The last time Ms. Grenci ran for the Town Board, in 1997, we said her record could not match either Job Potter's or Pat Mansir's, both of whom won election. Since then, she has worked across party lines as an appointee to the Housing Authority, helping it pull away from the brink of bankruptcy and get on with its mission. She speaks with concern about housing for low-income and seasonal employees and her determination to bite whatever bullet comes along has kept her in the public eye.

In the end, though, while Ms. Weir's harboring old grudges is worrisome, her practical experience as a business woman and a founding member of the Hispanic Advisory Committee give her the edge and our endorsement.

The Republicans have pointed correctly to weaknesses in the administration of Town Hall; should Supervisor Lester and Councilman Hammerle be re-elected, they would serve with Democratic Councilman Potter and Republican Councilwoman Mansir. Ms. Weir would help Ms. Mansir provide a strong, and we hope productive, minority.