In the politely contested race for East Hampton Town justice, two men hailing from old East Hampton families, David Filer and Brian Lester, have notable differences. Mr. Filer has worked as a Manhattan assistant district attorney and emerged from 16 years there with his natural-born compassion strengthened, if anything. Mr. Lester was an East Hampton Village police officer, then, after becoming a lawyer, was a member of a private practice before striking out with a partner to form their own firm. Both would make fine justices. However, it is our sense that Mr. Filer would be the more obvious choice to help guide Town Justice Court over the next four years as the community around it continues its stunning pace of change.
For East Hampton Town trustee, the Democrats have offered up mostly incumbents. Two new faces are Celia Josephson and Patrice Dalton. Ms. Dalton is co-endorsed by the town Republican Committee. In addition to her, the Republicans have put up Kurt Kappel, John Dunning, and Mark Edwards as well as a cross-endorsed Jim Grimes. We support all of the incumbents, along with Ms. Josephson and Ms. Dalton. The incumbents seeking re-election are John Aldred, Francis Bock, David Cataletto, Ben Dollinger, Tim Garneau, Mr. Grimes, and Bill Taylor.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Josephson worked on a lead-reduction commission in Boston. Here in East Hampton, where she has lived for 35 years, she directed the South Fork Community Health Initiative for a time and has maintained a law practice. Ms. Dalton has been a fierce advocate for Springs, where she lives, as a member of its citizens advisory committee and the Accabonac Protection Committee, of which she has been president since 2019. Both women are smart, well educated, and have just the energy and expertise that the town trustees need.