AMBER BRACH-WILLIAMS, Supervisor
As previously announced, I am running for a second term to be your Town Supervisor. For those who might not know me, I began my love affair with Shelter Island 40 years ago as a weekend visitor and moved here full-time 32 years ago to start an accounting practice and a family. I ran that business until a year ago and raised two amazing daughters here. I have been on the Town Board for eight years, one of them as Supervisor.
For those of you who do know me, know I am not good at self promotion. But I will over the next seven months, make the case as to why you should re-elect me. Briefly, I care deeply about Shelter Island, I work hard, spend time understanding the issues, the challenges, possible solutions and consider all opinions. I’m fair, calm, cool and collected under fire, which are all useful attributes for the position of Supervisor.
I look forward to connecting with you in the coming months and asking for your vote.
MEG LARSEN, Councilwoman
As Councilwoman and Deputy Supervisor for the town of Shelter Island I have the pleasure, honor, and responsibility of serving all the people in this community. This year I am liaison to the Community Housing Board (who just completed an RFQ for the first round of Attainable housing which will be released for bidding in February), Comprehensive Plan (This will be my 5th year working on this project), Green Options Committee (Currently wrapping up a yearlong grant process Through the US Department of Energy Called the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project to (ETIPP) to help island communities transform their energy systems and create resiliency through technical assistance), Planning Board, Recreation Commission, Water Advisory Committee and the Zoning Board of Appeals. I’m also liaison and helped to organize and establish the Health and Wellness Committee,which converted a group of volunteers who organized during COVID to help members of the community through those trying times into an official town committee in order to help share their knowledge and resources more readily with the community. In my role as Deputy Supervisor, I fill the shoes of the Supervisor in her absence.
AMBER WILSON, Town Clerk
As the current Town Clerk for the Town of Shelter Island, I am honored to announce my candidacy for re-election in 2025.
Over the past 3 years, I have had the privilege of serving our community with transparency, efficiency, dedication, and a welcoming spirit. When I started this role under the guidance of Dottie Ogar, an institution in Town Hall, I worked diligently to ensure a smooth transition during a pivotal time. It was a true honor to have earned Mrs. Ogar’s trust as her successor after her remarkable 60-year career.
One of my key initiatives has been the ongoing effort to digitize our town's records - making them easier to access, better preserved, and managed with modern tools. Thanks to my consistent effort and collaboration, I am proud to share that the Town of Shelter Island has officially partnered with Laserfiche. This partnership marks a significant step for us, bringing state-of-the-art technology to our records management, setting us on the path to a more efficient and organized future.
Thank you for your support and consideration. I look forward to welcoming you at the Clerk’s window!
TOM CRONIN for Town Council
Shelter Island is a place so many of us call 'home'. However, over the past several years, this town is starting to resemble the Hamptons and is becoming unaffordable. This island has long resisted the influx of “Hampton-like” changes. Yet, if you listen to the new Board members, they constantly compare us to the Hamptons and implement policies based on those towns. A recent example was attempting to mimic North Haven’s dock code, a portion of which, as of now, was deemed unconstitutional.
It would be an honor to be elected to the Town Board as someone who cares deeply about the uniqueness of Shelter Island. I am not here to make empty promises, but I will try to fight back and hold off the hampton-like ways as best I can.
It was recently noted at a board meeting that our taxes are directly linked to the spending by the Town Board. Yet members continue to vote for increased spending ignoring the concerns of the people. Taxes and insurance are getting higher by the year and our food, gas and ferry rates just keep going up. The Board can’t control all these prices, but I promise to ensure the Board members open their eyes and see the struggles of our seniors and young families trying to pay basic bills. I will bring that new perspective to the Board.
I don’t have all the answers, but I can promise that I will be up front and fight for the taxpayers of the island first and foremost. No backroom politics. Please vote 'Tom Cronin' for Town Council and take our island back to the special place we call 'home.'
KEN LEWIS, Superintendent of Highways
I was ready to step into the role of Highway Superintendent/Commissioner of Public Works, and would like to continue serving you in that role. While this first year has flown by, I’m excited to build on its foundation as we work to make the recycling center user friendly with credit card usage at the scale house, additions to our recycling program and an enhanced goody pile.
I opened the gates at the Highway Office on Bowditch Road to welcome residents with questions or concerns as part of my commitment to transparency and accessibility. I’ve worked to build strong relationships with the many departments in our government, keeping communication open and support ongoing. I’ve worked closely with the building department to ensure that road openings, driveway aprons and plantings near town rights-of-way are permitted and reviewed before being installed.
Some key projects accomplished this year included updates to Goat Hill: a new kitchen floor, appliances, repaved cart paths, and improvements to tees and landscaping. We renovated the Goody Pile, adding shelving, signage, a new roof, and outdoor area for furniture and reusable materials. It’s become a great gathering spot for the community.
I’ve partnered with local community organizations like North Fork 'Relic' to install beach cleanup stations at 4 local beaches. I’m working with Sylvester Manor to secure a grant for a pilot food scraps program that will help reduce the volume of wet garbage that we have to handle. I worked with high school math teacher, Jim Thienert, and his externship experiential program to provide a hands on experience about a career with the highway department.
After 11 years with the department, I bring hands-on experience, valuable knowledge, and a deep commitment to quality service and this community. I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Shelter Island.