John P. Whelan, Councilman, Town of East Hampton

JOHN P. WHELAN

Democratic

BACKGROUND:

• Whelan, 64, of Springs, has been the chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals since 2014 and is a project manager at Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects in Bridgehampton. He is running on the Independence Party line.

• He was a town planner from 2003 to 2004 and served on the Suffolk County Planning Commission from 2012 to 2014. He ran for Town Board unsuccessfully in 2009.

• He earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and French literature from St. John’s University and a master’s degree in architecture from Virginia Tech.

ISSUES:

• Whelan said he wants more affordable housing. He believes green design and construction considerations should be incorporated into those projects as well.

• He’s in favor of environmental programs and initiatives that promote innovative wastewater treatment and augment solar and wind energy on the East End.

• He supports ideas and ways to create local jobs, especially green jobs, to keep residents in town. He would also like to work on boosting public transportation and cutting traffic.