My name is Steve Green, and I’m vice president of the Greater Jamesport Civic Association. I moderated the last Meet the Candidates forum on Sept. 27, 2023, at the Jamesport Meeting House, sponsored by the civic. Tim Hubbard, Denise Merrifield and Joanne Waski participated in the event, as did their challengers.
I am going to moderate this year’s Meet the Candidates Night on Sept. 30 at the Jamesport Meeting House. Current candidates for supervisor and Town Council — Hubbard, Kern and Rothwell — have indicated they will not attend.
I do not want to debate the decision of the incumbent candidates not to attend. But as the moderator of the 2023 event, I want to address statements made by Hubbard in his Sept. 27 column in Riverhead Local and guest opinion in the North Fork Sun. In those statements, he indicated the 2023 event was biased and that this year’s event will likewise be biased.
Contrary to what Hubbard states, the Meet the Candidates Night is not a debate. I pose the same question to each candidate, and each candidate is given the same time to respond. The questions are intended to cover issues of concern to residents of our community on a broad range of topics.
With respect to the neutrality of the moderator, unlike a debate, there is no follow-up from the moderator regarding the candidates’ responses. The sole role of the moderator is to pose the questions.
Following the 2023 Meet the Candidates Night — until the recent statements explaining the decision of the incumbent candidates not to attend this year’s event — I was not aware of any feedback from candidates or anyone else indicating that they felt the questions were biased or that I was not a neutral moderator.
To be factual, attached are the questions that were drawn from and posed to the candidates from both parties at the 2023 event. Because of time limitations, not all of the questions were asked, but no questions were asked that are not on the attached list. If Hubbard or others would like to share why they feel any of the questions asked of the candidates from both parties evidence bias, I would certainly consider the feedback in framing questions for the Sept. 30 event.
As Kern and Rothwell did not participate in the 2023 event, they may not be fully informed about the format or the questions posed. I hope that with a fuller understanding, they may reconsider and attend this year’s Meet the Candidates Night on Sept. 30. I also hope that, by looking at the questions and understanding the format, the community will be able to better judge whether the claim that the 2023 event was biased — or that the upcoming event will be biased — makes any sense.
2023 questions
Let’s start by giving the candidates an opportunity to define how they would differentiate themselves from each other. What are the two most important issues facing the town over the next two years, and how would you address them differently from your opponent?
Let’s step back and take a longer-term view. The town and its consultants have been working on a new comprehensive plan intended to provide a blueprint for the town’s long-range vision. What is your long-term vision for the Town of Riverhead?
Each of the candidates has indicated that maintaining open space and a robust farming economy should be a priority. With the economic pressures on farming and on the potential development of open space, what can the town do to support the goals of preserving open space and farming? Do you have any specific proposals? Would you favor adopting zoning changes and design standards within the comprehensive plan to strengthen protections for the rural corridor east of Route 105?
There is a natural tension between encouraging development and addressing stress on infrastructure, school population, parking, water and other resources. Do you feel the board has struck the correct balance on development? Would you make any changes going forward?
Do you agree with the superintendent of schools that the IDA should stop granting exemptions from payment of school taxes in connection with development projects? To help understand your priorities, if the Town of Riverhead hypothetically received an additional $5 million in revenue through efforts to expand the tax base (about 5% of the 2023 revenue/tax levy budget), how would you spend it on behalf of residents?
Let’s address EPCAL and where things stand today. If the IDA moves the town’s deal with CAT forward, would that end the Town Council’s ability to prevent CAT from obtaining the development rights? If so, how would you propose addressing concerns about the scope of development, runway use, traffic, environmental issues and other impacts? If the IDA does not approve an authorizing resolution, would you support declaring the contract null and void?
Let’s look at environmental issues. A recent study by Moody’s Analytics identified Long Island as the area facing the fourth-highest risk to its physical assets from the effects of climate change, after San Francisco, Cape Coral, Florida, and New York City. Should the Town Council make identifying and implementing strategies to meet the challenges of climate change a priority? Can you identify any specific programs you would support for Riverhead to protect the environment, ensure clean air and water, and mitigate climate change risks?
Residents say that laws and codes on the books are not being enforced by the town — including those relating to housing, noise and traffic — which affect safety and quality of life. How can this problem be solved?
Do you agree with the town’s declaration and continuation of a state of emergency preventing hotels, motels and other facilities from providing housing to asylum seekers? Should Riverhead play any role in providing housing for asylum seekers if New York City or New York state were willing to cover food and shelter costs?
Some residents say the Town Board has not held hearings on certain issues to allow the public to share opinions, and that there has at times been hostility toward residents expressing opinions or asking questions at meetings. Do you think this concern is misplaced, or do you share it? Would you support any changes to address this issue?
Closing statements.