Patch Candidate Profile: Gretta Leon For East Hampton Town Supervisor

EAST HAMPTON, NY — East Hampton Town residents will be hitting the polls soon to elect local representatives.

The race is on leading up to Election Day, which, this year, falls on Tuesday, November 7.
Patch asked those running for office to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles in the days leading up to the election.

Dr. Gretta Leon, a Republican, is running for the East Hampton Town supervisor's seat currently held by Peter Van Scoyoc, who opted not to run for re-election. Incumbent Town Councilwoman Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, a Democrat, is also vying for the seat.

Here is Patch's candidate profile of Gretta Leon:

Name

Dr. Gretta I. Leon

How old will you be as of Election Day?

36

What city or town do you live in?

East Hampton

What office are you seeking?

East Hampton Town supervisor

Party affiliation

Republican Party

Education

MS in project management, MS in organizational dynamics, Doctor of Dental Sciences, BA in English teaching and translation

What is your occupation?

Office assistant

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I am running for East Hampton Town supervisor because I love this town, and it needs a more integrated leadership approach. We must solve local issues such as quality of living, affordable housing, economic issues, and development to provide a better and more sustainable town for many years for our elders, youth, and future generations.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Affordability and opportunities

What needs to be done to address water quality issues on LI?

More environmental studies must take place to address water quality issues on LI. We must collaboratively work with officials who are experts in this area to implement sustainable methods to create a better environmental impact.

What do you think can be done to help improve our infrastructure, highways, etc.?

We need reassessments in this area to better address our infrastructure needs, not just short-term but long-term solutions. We also must fully staff our highway department, provide better working conditions, and manage local affordable housing to maintain our local workers in the area, thus minimizing commuting issues such as traffic congestion. Addressing this issue must be done with teamwork and with other local towns.

How would you plan to help local business owners, who are struggling because of high rents, inflation and labor shortages?

We must address the affordable housing crisis and help look for ways to create more affordable office/business spaces for owners to mitigate inflation and high rentals. Expanding our workforce and creating better job opportunities for local business owners and workers could help with labor shortages. We also must improve our public transportation to help with commuting issues that we face today.

What is your stance on the current migrant situation affecting New York? And migrants were to be directed to shelters on Long Island, how would you prepare/plan for that?

At the moment, with our local affordable housing crisis, I would find it irresponsible to say that we can give adequate shelter to the migrants without addressing our local communities' needs as a priority.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?

The significant difference between my opponent seeking this position is that I grew up in East Hampton. I have been here long enough as a participant in the local and diversifying community to understand the current and future needs of East Hampton Town and its members. I am also a local worker who understands the hardship many of us go through to be able to live in this town, trying to be safe from being displaced by non-locals and town board leaders who do not voice for the community members most in need. I also understand that there must be a balance to leadership because you must learn to consider different viewpoints to create a better outcome for all.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I believe the town board and its officials have taken years to implement new beneficial and pressing projects for the community. They need to create stability for their members and address affordability issues. Today, I am expressing my concern as a community member and Town Supervisor candidate who feels we need to be listened to. It has been a one-sided government rule that must change and advocate for its community members and should have done so long ago. In my opinion, this is how the current administration has failed our local community.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I deeply care for East Hampton Town and its community members. I am grateful to have grown up here, as it has shaped me into who I am today. I am proud to be part of this community and proud of the values it teaches all of us. These values should be something that should be treasured and passed on to our new and future generations.