Late Write-In Run for Supe

    Martin Drew of Springs, a political gadfly and frequent writer of letters to the editor, announced last Thursday that he would run a write-in campaign for East Hampton Town supervisor.

    A semi-retired contractor and real estate investor, Mr. Drew, 47, said he was undaunted by the prospect of trying to defeat Larry Cantwell, the popular former East Hampton Village administrator, whose name will be the only one on the ballot, under the Democratic, Independence, and Working Families lines.

    “This is a democracy,” he said. “I think my chances are excellent if the people who are concerned get off the couch.”

    Mr. Drew said that the number of unaffiliated voters in East Hampton outnumber registered Republicans. He suggested that the only way for Republicans and unaffiliated voters to stave off a de facto takeover by the Democrats would be for them to join forces to form a new coalition.

    Recently appointed to the Springs Citizens Advisory Committee, Mr. Drew announced his campaign during the public comment portion of last Thursday’s town board meeting.

    Mr. Drew, who offered a laundry list of problems in the town, said enforcement of the law would be a priority. “With 20 percent of the budget going to the police, I find it odd that enforcement is an issue in our town.”