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King, Bergen, Hulse honored for their dedication to Southold Town

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After 42 years of combined service, three members of the Southold Town government — trustees Dave Bergen, Jim King and assistant town attorney Lori Hulse — are leaving their positions in the new year.

They were each presented with a proclamation Wednesday, read by another board member, commemorating them for their dedicated service.

Trustee president John Bredemeyer spoke first and acknowledged Mr. King — the longest tenured at 20 years — for his work as a lobsterman and focus on protecting natural resources. Mr. King didn’t attend the meeting — the last of the year and therefore his last as a member of the board — due to a scheduling conflict. Mr. King did not seek reelection this year.

“The people of the town so appreciated Jim’s work ethic and environmental leadership,” Mr. Bredemeyer said. “The Southold Town Trustees express their most sincere gratitude and appreciation for Jim’s 20 years of service to the Board of Trustees and the Town of Southold.”

Mr. Bergen, donning a red Santa hat for most of the night, received his next in honor of his 10 years. Vice president Michael Domino reminded the audience of Mr. Bergen’s dedication to the town and its water quality projects.

In November, Mr. Bergen lost to Glenn Goldsmith by 19 votes after absentee ballots were tallied in tightly-contested race. Nick Krupski received the most votes and will be filling Mr. King’s vacant position.

Dave Bergen (left) and Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski after Mr. Bergen received his proclamation for his ten years of service as a Southold Town Trustee (Credit: Nicole Smith).
Dave Bergen (left) and Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski after Mr. Bergen received his proclamation for his 10 years of service as a Southold Town Trustee. (Credit: Nicole Smith)

“It’s an honor and a privilege,” Mr. Bergen said of his time as a Trustee. “I felt that I worked very hard this last decade to try and focus on water quality in the Peconic. We have many other responsibilities as Trustees, but that’s been my focus … it really meant a lot to see the Downs Creek project started with the generosity of the McCall family. It’s a great way to leave office.”

He read Ms. Hulse’s proclamation next. She served as assistant town attorney for 12 years and in November she was elected as Riverhead Town Justice, handily defeating Jeanmarie Costello. Mr. Bergen, who spoke about Ms. Hulse, noted her “esteem legal prowess, knowledge of town codes and staunch defense of the board of trustees.”

“Lori Hulse’s administrative abilities, public service and community involvement have resulted in her election as Town Justice in Riverhead Town — formally part of Southold Town — where she is always welcome to return,” he added with a smile.

Following the proclamations, the longtime friends hugged as the dozen or so people in the audience applauded and continuously thanked Mr. Bergen and Ms. Hulse for their years of service. Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski — a former Southold Town Trustee — attended the meeting and presented Mr. Bergen with a second proclamation.

Sometimes you get as good or better than you deserve and I think the residents of the town certainly got a really good deal in the service of Dave Bergen, Jim King and Lori Hulse,” Mr. Bredemeyer said.

Photo Caption (top): Trustee Dave Bergen shares a hug with Lori Hulse Wednesday. (Credit: Nicole Smith)

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