The Democratic establishment victory in the election that ended Tuesday was the expected outcome, but while the winners savor the moment, they must also realize that it is well past time to get moving in a number of areas. From the airport to housing to summer crowds to coastal erosion, the town board will more than have its hands full.
Peter Van Scoyoc will return for a third term as town supervisor and will have Cate Rogers take the place of Councilman Jeff Bragman, who had been a four-year thorn in his side. While the supervisor and the rest of the board may not miss Mr. Bragman’s relentless questioning, they must know that some kind of dissent is a necessary part of a system of checks and balances. Only the most blindly partisan would think that an absolute majority lock on government is a good thing. Not clear yet is if and who among the four board members will be that essential skeptical voice. Unelected board-watchers sitting in the third row at town meetings, such as David Buda, can only do so much. For East Hampton’s sake, we strongly hope that someone on the board emerges to fill that role.