Opinion: Who Will/Can Replace East Hampton Supervisor Larry Cantwell?

Around eight years ago I wrote an article about how the town of East Hampton would put Larry Cantwell through the meat grinder, perhaps ruin his favorite son status. I was wrong. I no longer live in the town, I am retired and I am writing this article because I am amazed at the comments I hear from all corners of East Hampton Town, that I visit five days a week, nine months out of the year going to and from Gardiner's Bay to sail.

Here are a few examples, "He is one of us . . . he understands the way we do things ... he screwed that up bad, but he meant well . . . never piss him off, he knows that code book inside out . . . my brother went to school with him . . . who the hell is going to replace him?"

Now retired, this after years of being paid to write about Supervisors McGintee and Wilkinson, I thought the same kinds of internal town turmoil they faced would devour Mr. Cantwell. Instead he handled his controversies, especially the Montauk Beach erosion situation with an honesty that basically says he wishes things did not turn out the way they have, let's move forward and get it right. He was never afraid to address the folks on the other side of the issues and hear them out. But when it came time to act, this supervisor knew what levers to push and how to get things done. He has survived his mistakes and in fact is leaving EH Town politics in high regard. I believe Larry Cantwell could still get the nomination of either the Democrats or the Republicans just like he could of, in my opinion, eight years ago.

What is surprising is not one person has come forward and told me who should replace Larry , instead they say, "Doesn't he have another year?" The answer is "no." Soon the political season will be officially at hand although many candidates already have began to gear up for this November's elections. Last year I wrote a "fun" column that Donald Trump might run for East Hampton Town supervisor after not becoming president. So much for that. The bottom line is no one has ever said Larry didn't care about East Hampton or was trying to purposely ruin it. He always meant well, and he was very effective at getting things done, especially in getting the town finances in good order. I believe he was the most qualified East Hampton Town supervisor candidate in my lifetime, due to his East Hampton Village service that lasted decades.

I was at the Montauk St. Patrick's parade last March as I have been for the last 12 years. I realized then by next year some other person will be walking as supervisor, and I thought that was sad.

This post is contributed by a community member. The views expressed in this post are the author's.