Two Eastport residents complained last week about campaign fliers supporting highway superintendent candidate John McGann appearing in their mailboxes without the U.S. Postal Service’s help.
At least two unstamped fliers for Mr. McGann’s campaign were placed in Eastport mailboxes on September 18—apparently in violation of federal law, which prohibits unpaid mail to be left in people’s private mailboxes. The instance followed a September 18 door-to-door canvass in Eastport by Mr. McGann, a Republican and Hampton Bays resident.
Jack Haughn of Eastport said he made a complaint to the post office after he received an unstamped mailer from Mr. McGann’s campaign. Another resident, Diana DeLucia, also received a copy of the unstamped campaign piece and complained.
“I thought it was wrong,” Mr. Haughn said. “In a way, it’s kind of junk mail. It just got my ire up.”
Mr. McGann did not return calls for comment. Southampton Republican Committee Chairman Marcus Stinchi also did not return a call seeking comment.
Depositing unstamped fliers in mailboxes is punishable by a fine of up to $300 per offense, according to U.S. Postal Services Metropolitan Area spokesman Tom Gaynor. But authorities rarely do more than give offenders a warning, he added.
In a phone call last week with the highway superintendent candidate, Eastport Postmaster Sandra Roncone warned Mr. McGann that depositing unstamped fliers in mailboxes is a breach of federal law, she said.
“I called and spoke to [Mr. McGann] directly, and I advised that no unstamped mailings can go in there,” Ms. Roncone said. “He apologized immediately and said it would not happen again. He was very regretful that he did put them in the mailboxes.”
Ms. Roncone said violations of the federal law are often innocent mistakes. “A lot of people don’t realize” the mail must be stamped, she said.
The Long Island Environmental Voters Forum recently endorsed Democratic candidates for Southampton Town offices, angering some Republicans.
Calling the candidates “environmental leaders,” the forum endorsed Town Board member and supervisor candidate Anna Throne-Holst, who is challenging incumbent Republican Supervisor Linda Kabot. The forum also endorsed Town Board incumbent Sally Pope, Town Board candidate Bridget Fleming, and Town Trustee candidates Bill Pell and Chris Garvey, all Democrats.
But the forum also gave a green thumbs-up to Republican minority leader 6th District County Legislator Daniel Losquadro and incumbent Republican 1st District County Legislator Edward Romaine.
“The candidates the LIEV endorsed represent the best promise that the environment will be a priority in county and town government in the new legislative terms,” Forum Chairman Richard Amper was quoted as saying in a prepared statement. “These candidates are most likely to be environmental leaders in the years to come.”
Still, Southampton Republican Committee Vice Chairman Ernest Wruck said the endorsements ignored environmental achievements of town Republicans. He noted that under Republican leadership the town has spent nearly $350 million on open space preservation since Southampton’s Community Preservation Fund was enacted in 1999.
“I wouldn’t expect much other than what they did,” Mr. Wruck said of the LIEV. “I think Republicans have a very good record on the environment, not just in words but in actions.”
Eastport residents and local business owners are invited to an open meeting where they can introduce themselves to Southampton Town Board member Anna Throne-Holst, who is running for town supervisor.
The meeting will take place at the Renewable Energy Home, 43 South Bay Avenue, Eastport, on Sunday, September 27, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Call 325-1043 for more information.
Numerous community groups are sponsoring candidate debates and meet the candidates nights in the weeks leading up to the general election on November 3.
The Flanders, Riverside, Northampton Community Association is hosting a debate at the Crohan Community Center on Flanders Road on September 28 at 7 p.m. and another one on October 26 at 7 p.m.
Bayview Pines will host a meet and greet at the Flanders Nutrition Center on October 2 at 7 p.m.
The North Sea Community Association is holding a debate at the Old School House on Noyak Road on October 5 at 7 p.m.
A debate hosted by the Hampton Bays Civic Association will be held at the Nutrition Center in Hampton Bays on October 16 at 7 p.m.
And the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons will hold a debate at Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton on October 22 at 7 p.m.
A roster of which candidates will appear at the events is not yet available.
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