Three in Westhampton vie for two seats

In Westhampton Beach Village, not much changes, and that's the way most folks like it.

A tranquil beach community of about 1,700 year-round residents, which swells more than three times in population during the summer months, the main business street is dotted with small shops and lively restaurants. Farther south in the village, along legendary Dune Road -- a narrow strip of sand with the bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other -- tourists pack its bars and restaurants every weekend.

In the coming political race -- where Mayor Conrad Teller is unopposed for the first time, but three candidates are running for two trustee seats -- the campaign's tone mirrors the village's civility.

Two of the candidates, who are running on the Lightning Party line, are pledging more communication with the residents, including updating the village website more often and posting public documents such as the budget.

One of them, Ralph Urban, 63, a Westhampton Beach area resident since 1966, was a music teacher in Montauk for 37 years before recently retiring. He said he now has the time to dedicate to the job.

"I'm learning as I'm going here," Urban said. "The basic thing I want to do is get more communication going."

His running mate, Charles Palmer, 55, is a senior accountant at the Suffolk County Police Department. He ran two years ago, but lost by a handful of votes, he said.

"Most want to do a good job, but there needs to be more mutual respect," Palmer said. "I'll bring my 29 years in municipal accounting to the board."

Incumbent Toni-Jo Birk, who has been a trustee for three two-year terms and is on the Beach Party line, drops by village hall just about every day so constituents can see her. Birk, an 11-year member of the local ambulance corps, wants the village to be ready with plans for infrastructure work, such as sidewalks in the business district when some old bonds are paid down in the next few years and the economy improves.

"We are in tough economic times," said Birk, 52, whose family owns Bikes-n-Kites across from village hall. "We have to do [these changes] without a tax burden on the residents."

Westhampton Village was incorporated in 1928, is about 3 square miles and has two village beaches. With its $9.4 million operating budget, the village maintains its own police and public works department.

Teller said he has no opponent because residents are satisfied with the upkeep of the village public areas, and want to keep its uniquely beachy feel.

"All the constituents I speak with say they wish to have the village remain as it is," Teller said.

Voting will be held June 15 from noon to 9 p.m. at Village Hall, 165 Mill Rd.