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Added: September 30, 2009
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Zwirn Gathers Strategic Endorsements In East Hampton Race For Supervisor
By Aaron Boyd | 2
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Gearing up for the political season, East Hampton Democratic nominee for Town Supervisor Ben Zwirn has received the endorsement of the Long Island Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO) and former Sag Harbor Mayor Gregory Ferraris. Photo by Aaron Boyd
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East Hampton - Gearing up for the political season, East Hampton Democratic nominee for Town Supervisor Ben Zwirn has received the endorsement of the Long Island Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO) and former Sag Harbor Mayor Gregory Ferraris, a registered Republican.
Union Support
Zwirn had screened with the AFL-CIO in late-August, meeting with their political committee and filling out the candidate questionnaire, and according to union President John Durso, his "campaign best represents the interests and values of our membership, Long Island's working families."
Of the endorsement, Zwirn stated, "I am proud to be the standard bearer for our working families in East Hampton. It is a special trust in these tough times when working people who are the backbone of our community are hurting the most."
The Long Island AFL-CIO represents over 120 unions in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, covering some 250,000 private and public sector employees.
Mayor's Endorsement
Former Sag Harbor Mayor Greg Ferraris, who just stepped down from two successful terms in office, threw his considerable political clout behind Zwirn on Sept. 3, stating that, "In my professional opinion, this is not the time for a candidate without any municipal experience to be running for a position of Town Supervisor," citing Zwirn's time as supervisor of North Hempstead in Nassau County. "Ben Zwirn has the experience necessary and the proven ability to lead East Hampton through its fiscal crisis," Ferraris continued, "During these tough times we need to rise above party politics and promote the most qualified candidate to lead."
Along with Ferraris' endorsement, Michael Balboni, a former Republican State Senator and New York State Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, gave his support to Zwirn. Balboni, who was a North Hempstead resident during Zwirn's time as supervisor there, asserted that he has "known Ben Zwirn for almost 20 years and he has always fought tirelessly for the people he represented. He is an experienced hand at making government responsive and responsible."
Guest (Board Watcher) from East Hampton says:
Ok - let me try this again. Michael Balboni. Google him. Why is there nothing in here that states that he worked for the Spitzer and Paterson administrations as the "person in charge" of the state division of criminal justice WHILE SPITZER AVOIDED PROSECUTION? And Ben Zwirn thinks this upisland Dem ensorsement is a good thing?! Yikes!