Civic leader Brad Bender plans to throw his hat back into the ring and make another run for a seat on the Southampton Town Board.
Bender, the president of the Flanders, Riverside and Northampton Community Association, revealed his intentions at FRNCA's monthly meeting on Monday night.
Bender said there was "an issue" with his being FRNCA president and running for a Town Board seat, prompting his decision to step down as FRNCA president, effective next month.
In 2011, Bender placed third in a race for two Town Council seats. Democratic Councilwoman Bridget Fleming took the most votes, securing her re-election, and Republican candidate Christine Scalera finished second, earning a seat.
Bender also had the backing of the Democratic and Working Families parties in 2011, and he said Monday that he intends to screen for the Democratic nomination once again.
Bender is a graduate of Beloit Memorial High School, Wisconsin, and Suffolk County Community College. He also graduated from the Suffolk County Police Academy. He is a small business owner, specializing in renovation, storage solutions and interior trim and millwork.
In addition to his service with FRNCA, Bender was appointed to Southampton Town's Affirmative Action Task Force, serving as chairman, and to the Riverside Economic Development Committee. He is a member of the Southampton Rose Society, American Rose Society and the Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons. He volunteers with Honor Flight Long Island.