The staff considered criteria for each set of contenders, factors that varied slightly for the different offices. However, one criterion was sought in all candidates — a strong sense of fiscal responsibility.

With all eyes on our economic realities, the staff's one and only unanimous endorsement this year goes to Town Supervisor Jim Dougherty. He is the only supervisor candidate with proven fiscal abilities. He effectively leads the board without dominating it and has brought a high level of professionalism to the job.

During his endorsement interview, Mr. Dougherty commented that he expected the supervisor to be the equivalent of a Chief Executive Officer, “which I had hoped he would be,” he said. We think that statement illuminates the difficulties and controversies the supervisor faced this year. As he learns to appreciate the limits of his office, we trust that he will keep the discourse, as well as the interests of Shelter Island, on track.

Thanks to Paul Shepherd for putting a spotlight on the relationship between the Town Board and each citizen's rights and liberties. His campaign may seem Quixotic to some, but we hope he will continue his quest until he wins the opportunity to voice his ideology from the other side of the dais, if not as supervisor then as a councilman.

Supervisor candidate Bill Smith refused to participate in the Reporter's endorsement process. We had a lot of questions about his positions on issues that were never answered. Absent that, we'll let the lack of civility in several of his letters and ads and the generally negative approach to his campaign speak for themselves.

Our criteria for town council were chosen by the candidates. When asked about top priorities at the forum, two were echoed — the town's finances and the need to protect the environment. During endorsement interviews, we also asked the candidates what each individually brings to the board that the town cannot do without. Given these guideposts, the staff cast ballots for this race.

When five solid candidates run for two town council spots, the numbers game gets strange. In staff voting, not one candidate was shut out and the tally showed a three-way tie for the most votes. Like a hung jury, we could not reach a consensus to narrow our choice to two nor could we get unanimous support for the top three vote-getters.

Incumbents Chris Lewis and Ed Brown are popular, effective board members. In her endorsement inter-

view, Ms. Lewis talked about her ability to “smooth the waters” when her male colleagues enter the fray. Her ties to senior citizens are well known but she also has the closest ties to young families of any current board member. She is the voice of reason she claims to be. The budget may not be her forte, but it is her first, second and third priority moving forward.

Mr. Brown is the budget watchdog. He can't boast Wall Street credentials but he knows to bark when a budget line doesn't make sense. He has his ear to the ground, and as he said in his endorsement interview, he's not afraid to listen to Islanders whether they like what he's doing or not. He knows the issues and he knows the Island.

The incumbents could be more proactive on the environmental front but they are not afraid to say “no” to potential impacts, be they from individual permit seekers or a new technology, as seen in the geothermal systems the board banned in 2008.

Of the newcomers, Don Kornrumpf brings the most expertise in fiscal analysis and the strongest environmental resumé. He doesn't have deep Island roots so we asked him how he would represent constituents, from construction workers to second homeowners. Keep the communication open, work to preserve the balance of folks on the Island and encourage local business was the answer, a good answer and one backed up with specific proposals to meet each goal. If he can deliver on that and maintain the tone he demonstrated at the forum, he would become a vital asset to the Town Board.

A vote for any two of these three — candidates Lewis, Brown and Kornrumpf — will serve the town well.

Although they came up short in the staff poll, we're not counting the others out. Linda Springer is not a Town Hall regular so we are hearing her ideas on town issues, some very good ideas, for the first time during this campaign. We think her experience at the Shelter Island School and the Southampton comptroller's office could strengthen the fiscal process and procedures used at Town Hall. We hope to see her become directly involved with town issues and, if unsuccessful on Tuesday, to run again.

Patricia Shillingburg has been serving the town in official capacities for many years, as a bit of a maverick on some issues. She brings a wealth of experience, understanding and ideas to the table and we hope she continues to serve the town regardless of the outcome of this election.

The staff was also split on the highway superintendent candidates. No one knows the job like Mark Ketcham. He has won the respect of highway superintendents statewide and has cultivated beneficial relationships with nearby towns. He is accessible and responsive and one of the hardest-working people you will ever meet.

Two years ago the Reporter endorsed Mr. Ketcham's opponent because of public perceptions that the highway/public works employees could be more productive. The fiscal situation is worse today — efficiency is more important than ever.

When asked about the issue this year, Mr. Ketcham responded that the efficiency of his staff is “adequate” — honest to a fault. His opponent, Jay Card, is promoting a managerial approach that would tie efficiency to his ability to lead the staff and to a system that accounts for labor and equipment on an hourly basis.

If you think that the future of the Highway Department is in inter-municipal agreements, marketing of recyclables and equipping the town to save on contractor costs, Mr. Ketcham is the stronger candidate. But if you think new management is needed to get the most bang for the buck out of town resources and to eliminate weaknesses in long-standing highway budget practices, Mr. Card is your man. The staff voiced support for both candidates but more for Mr. Card, who has the Reporter's endorsement.

Who would have thought that the town assessor race would be one of the most controversial contests this election year? The involvement of the current assessors, who are not up for office, in what we see as an apolitical race came as a surprise and, frankly, just doesn't sit well with us. Controversies aside, we are conflicted over these candidates.

The choice depends entirely on the criteria applied. If you want an assessor who knows the Island and sees assessments from the taxpayer's perspective, vote for Joe Messing. If you want someone who knows the business of appraisals, here and elsewhere, and sees it from the bank or government's perspective, vote for Patricia Castoldi. One candidate would bring new analytical skills to the office (Mr. Messing), the other is a better fit to work smoothly with the current assessors (Ms. Castoldi).

The staff was split. But the majority backed Mr. Messing for his Island experience and to add a new perspective to the office.

That's our two cents worth on Election 2009. But as the saying goes, talk is cheap. Ultimately, the choice is yours, so get out and vote on November 3.

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