Nominees for Town Supervisor and two open Town Board seats are scheduled to take part in a candidates debate at the Shelter Island School on Sunday, October 22, from 1 to 3 PM.
The event, in the school auditorium, is co-sponsored by the local League of Women Voters chapter and the Shelter Island Association.
On the ballot for Town Supervisor (with their party affiliations) are Arnott Gordon Gooding (Democrat) and incumbent Deputy Supervisor Amber Brach-Williams (Republican/Conservative).
These candidates are on the ballot for two Town Board seats: Benjamin I. Dyett (D), Albert K. Dickson (D), Thomas M. Cronin (R/C), and Arthur R. Williams (R/C).
The debate will be recorded and later shown on Chanel 22 and the Town’s YouTube Channel.
About the co-sponsors
The League of Women Voters of the Hamptons, Shelter Island & the North Fork is a nonpartisan organization with the mission of helping people become informed participants in government. You can find information about the organization on its website, lwvhsinf.org.
Most recently, the LWV held a candidates meeting prior to the Democrat primary in June (see our coverage here).
The Shelter Island Association describes itself as “a gathering of people dedicated to initiating, broadening, assisting, and encouraging continuing participation by residents and property owners in any activity having a bearing on the betterment, advancement, and best interests of Shelter Island.”
On its website, the organization says it “is a not-for-profit (and nonpartisan) group of people working together for common goals.” It lists 10 people as its officers and trustees-at-large and considers as “regional trustees” representatives of 10 homeowners associations.
No current connections
Among its achievements, the SIA includes “helping to protect accessibility to Town government.” However, as a private organization, its own meetings are closed to the public. Town Board candidate Tom Cronin was recently shown the door by SIA leadership at a meeting with Town officials to talk about the Comprehensive Plan.
As of today, Gooding is listed on the SIA website as the organization’s vice president. But he said in a text message that he’d excused himself from the SIA in January when he decided to run for Supervisor. “I have no connection and do not hold any office or attend any of the SIA meetings,” he wrote.
Gooding, Dickson, and Dyett are campaigning under the slogan “A Better Island For All.” The campaign website lists Cathy Kenny as its treasurer. Kenny has long been active in the League of Women Voters but said in an email that she’d resigned from the LWV in March when she agreed to work on the campaign.
Submit questions by October 8
The LWV invites members of the public to submit questions for the debate. Please send your questions relating to the Shelter Island races to loisbmorris@gmail.com.
The deadline to submit them is Sunday, October 8.
Under LWV rules, a committee will vet all questions for relevance and importance. Questions containing personal attacks are not permitted. The moderator will pose all questions to each candidate.
Other races
Running unopposed for Town offices — and so, not taking part in debates — are:
- Town Clerk, Amber D. Wilson (R/C)
- Receiver of Taxes, Annemarie Seddio (D/R/C)
- Superintendent of Highways, Kenneth L. Lewis, Jr. (D/R/C)
Shelter Island voters will also select a new County Executive and new representative to the Suffolk County Legislature.
David L. Calone (D/Working Families) and Edward P. Romaine (R/C) are on the ballot for County Executive. For County Legislator in the 1st Legislative District, voters may select Catherine A. Kent (D/WF) or Catherine L. Stark (R/C).
Four justices of the Supreme Court, 10th Judicial District, running unopposed, are:
- Gary M. Carlton (D/WF)
- Christopher T. McGrath (D/R/C)
- John J. Andrews (R/C)
- Alison J. Napolitano (R/C)
Voting
Early voting in the General Election begins Saturday, October 28, and runs for 10 days at 27 locations throughout Suffolk County.
Any registered Suffolk County voter can take part at any early voting location. Shelter Island’s early voting location is the Community Center (1 Bateman Road).
Find early voting hours of operation and locations via this link to the Board of Elections website.
Voting on Election Day — Tuesday, November 7 — is from 6 AM to 9 PM. Voters choosing to cast their ballots on Election Day must go to their usual polling place. Shelter Island voters should report to the school gym.
