One voter’s journey, Letter to the Editor, Shelter Island Reporter
To the Editor:
I am not aligned with any political party. I am registered as “independent” because I believe in voting for the best candidate.
Over the last two years, I paid close attention to Town Board meetings, in person and on Cablevision. When Gerth was elected, he seemed in over his head. One of his first actions was to appoint his Republican campaign manager, Bob DeStefano Jr., as Town Attorney.
During Gerth’s first year in office, when Gerth went out to the community for meetings, he often brought along DeStefano who answered most questions addressed to Gerth.
I also noted that Gerth was an amiable, smiling supervisor who rarely proposed actions, leaving that to other board members. The one issue he was adamant about was the short-term rental law (STR). In person and on his website, his first goal was eliminating all regulations and restrictions on STRs. After months of discussions and negotiations, a fair STR law was passed by a vote of 4 to 1, with Gerth the only dissenting vote.
Gerth has two colleagues running with him on the Republican line, Julia Weisenberg and Marcus Kaasik. Weisenberg is most noted, in my opinion, for being part of two lawsuits against the town trying to overturn the STR laws. Both suits were thrown out of the courts by the judges. Had she prevailed, there may have been a serious award levied against the town that taxpayers would have had to bear. Kaasik, who has run and lost for Town Council, has written in the Reporter that he is the lone voice on his committee who is against the site planning approval requirement for development on the Island.
In effect, he would wait for something to be built before reviewing and challenging the development.
The other four individuals running for supervisor or Town Council are Gerry Siller, Paul Shepherd, Jim Colligan and Mike Bebon. All of them have spent many years in service to the town during their years here.
Their records are clear and easily checked. Because history is often a good prelude to future action, I urge all of my fellow Islanders to research what every candidate has already done for Shelter Island and their current positions.
Based on that, I will be voting for three of these four candidates as the best choices for Shelter Island.
Bob Fredericks
Shelter Island
(end of letter) _______________________________________________________________
The best choices for Shelter Island are exactly the opposite of what Bob Fredericks wants: KAASIK, GERTH, WEISENBERG is the BEST TICKET! Spread the word. And for the record, Bob Fredericks lives in Florida for nine months of the year - he isn't even a full time Shelter Island resident. He summers here for three months and hates STRs! Bob, do you have the right to cripple Shelter Island's seasonal businesses when you only reside on the island for 90 days per year? Shelter Island is a welcoming place - we open our arms to everyone to enjoy this lovely place. Bob, you rented here before you bought your home, didn't you? Like Gym Colligan? And the entire present Town Board? VOTE CHANGE SHELTER ISLAND! Elites do not run this town - and never will. Vote for people who represent you and care.