Government

Dems nominate attorney for trustee; GOP expected to back Bergen

FILE PHOTO | Trustee Dave Bergen
Trustee Dave Bergen (File photo)

Mr. Bergen had served as a trustee for eight years, but the Southold GOP did not nominate him for re-election last year. At that time, Republican Committee chairman Peter McGreevy said that although the incumbent had “a very successful eight years in office,” the committee decided “it was time to go in a different direction.”

The Southold Town Board later voted 4-2 in favor of having Mr. Bergen fill the vacant Trustee seat in February, with council members Jim Dinizo and Jill Doherty (a former trustee), voting in opposition.

Supervisor Scott Russell gave a “reluctant yes” vote.

“We needed to come to a consensus on a name and that’s what we did tonight,” Mr. Russell said at the time.

Mr. Bergen joked this week that he probably shouldn’t comment on the race until after the convention.

“As Yogi said, it ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” he said with a laugh. “I am hoping to get the endorsement though.”

He said making sure the Trustees continue to be a part of the conversation on nitrogen loading into the bays and wetlands is a key issue for the board.

“We spend a great deal of time working on permit applications, but we need to continue to address water quality issues,” he said.

Mr. Bergen’s two area’s of concentration on the board, whose members divide responsibilities, are working on county dredging issues and the town’s pump out boat program.

“For 8 1/2 years I’ve thorougly enjoyed serving the residents of this town,” he said. “I enjoy it and I get positive feedback on the work we do.”

Mr. McGreevy said this week that despite last year’s change in direction, Mr. Bergen has “remained competent” in his role as a Trustee.

“Since Dave’s appointment to the Trustees, he has demonstrated his ability to work with the Board of Trustees as a member of their team, and has concentrated his efforts on resolving dredging issues in town,” the chairman said. “Dave will continue to be an asset to the town and our waterfront, and the committee believes that he is by far the best candidate for the position this year.”

He added that the committee did not screen any other candidates to run in November. “No one else expressed interest,” Mr. McGreevy said.

The five-seat Board of Trustees, which oversees all activity within 100 feet of the town’s wetlands and on more than 2,000 acres of underwater lands, currently consists of all Republican members.

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