by Debbie Tuma
On a gorgeous sunny summer day, the Southampton Town Democratic Party held a fundraiser at the Water Mill home of Donna and Elliott Matlin. Several hundred people congregated on the big lawn, around a beautiful pool and outside deck. They enjoyed wonderful seafood and an open bar, while getting to meet and mingle with the slate of candidates for the upcoming election.
Gordon Herr, Southampton Town Democratic Chairman, introduced all the candidates running for various positions, and each spoke about their plans and goals. John Avlon, a longtime CNN journalist and author of Sag Harbor, is running against Nick LaLota for New York’s First Congressional District. Former Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker of Mount Sinai, is running for NYS Senate, against Anthony Palumbo. Tommy John Schiavoni, a Southampton Town Councilman and former teacher, of Sag Harbor, is running for the seat of long-time NYS Assemblyman Fred Thiele of Sag Harbor. Thiele, who was also at this event, is retiring after serving for 29 years in the NY State Assembly, and is planning to move to North Carolina.
During this party, both Gordon Herr and Suffolk County Democratic Party Chairman Rich Schaffer talked about Thiele’s many accomplishments in his long career. During his 13 terms in the New York Assembly, his created the Peconic Bay Community Preservation Act, for land preservation and water quality protection. He has also done farmland preservation, and state acquisition of critical environmental parcels, plus worked on transportation issues, as establishing the South Fork Commuter Connection. Also, Thiele has done many affordable housing projects.
As a way to thank Thiele for all he has done for the East End, on behalf of the Southampton Town Democratic Party, Gordon Herr gave him two beautiful paintings of Thiele’s favorite place, Long Beach in Sag Harbor, where he walks every day. They were created by Sag Harbor artist and gallery owner, Julie Keyes. Thiele thanked all his colleagues, and said he will always be part of the East End, and still come back when he moves.
Other Southampton Town Democratic leaders were Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker, Southampton Town Supervisor Marie Moore, and Southampton Town Councilman Bill Pell.
Donna Rubin Matlin welcomed everyone to her beautiful home, and said she was happy to host this important event for the town committee. Donna is also a producer at LTV Studios in East Hampton, along with LTV’s Creative Director Josh Gladstone.
