Two Vie For Seats On Village Board

Rose Brown and Arthur Tiger Graham are running as a team for two vacant seats on the East Hampton Village Board under the Fish Hooks party banner.

They are opposed by incumbent Bruce Siska. Two four-year terms will be awarded to the top two vote getters.

Brown formerly served on the East Hampton Village Planning Board and Design Review Board. She holds a BA from Loyola College in Baltimore, MD and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University. She has three children in the local public-school system.

“I can offer a new perspective and mindset. Right now, the demographics on the board is homogenous,” Brown said. “I would make it more well-rounded.”

Brown feels the village needs to do more for its business district. “We could do more to revitalize and reenergize the downtown business area,” she said. Brown thinks the parking restrictions in the Reutershan Parking lot are too restrictive, noting that the two-hour limit isn’t even enough time to take in a movie. “People should have time to walk and shop in out village,” she emphasized.

Brown also suggested a clearly defined path from the long-term parking lot into the village; visitors complain it is difficult to navigate through the nearby park and ballfields.

Graham retired from a Wall Street career in 2011. He has owned a residence on Cooper Lane since 1983 and moved there full-time in 2003. He successfully ran for election to the village board in June 2017 to fill the final year of the late Elbert Edward’s term. Graham is also a former member of the village planning board.

He did not want criticize Siska, his opponent. “We all want the best for the village. I think Rose and I are a bit more business friendly. We need to do more to promote business.” Specifically, the candidate wants to increase “wet” uses in commercial areas and promote small businesses as a way to bring more families back to the downtown shopping area.

Graham cautioned though, he does not necessarily mean preexisting, non-conforming businesses in residential zones, but rather the village’s business district. “I’m more interested in, ‘How do we get to a yes instead of a no?’”

Neither candidate is critical of Mayor Paul Rickenbach Jr, though he chose Graham’s opponent in the runoff for Edward’s seat. “Paul is a committed public servant. He appointed me to the zoning board. I’ve known him for 20 years,” added Graham.

The two hosted a meet and greet on Saturday, May 5. The election will be contested on June 19.

rmurphy@indyeastend.com