Candidate Profile: Al Krupski For Suffolk County Legislature

LONG ISLAND, NY — Suffolk County residents will be heading to the polls next month to elect local representatives and make their voices heard.

In addition to local town and village races, residents will weigh in on the race to represent one of the 18 legislative districts in Suffolk County.

This year, Election Day falls on Tuesday, November 5.

In advance of the election, Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaign — and the results will be published as candidate profiles in the days leading up to the vote.

Al Krupski, 59, of Cutchogue is running for re-election as Suffolk County Legislator for District 1; the 1st legislative district is geographically the largest of the 18, stretching more than 70 miles from Middle Island in Brookhaven Town, through Riverhead and Southold Towns, to Fishers Island.

His opponent is Remy Bell (R) of Riverhead.

Krupski, a Democrat, and his wife Mary, have one son, Nicholas. Nicholas and his wife Racheal recently welcomed their baby Victoria. The Krupskis also have two daughters, Colleen and Kim, married to Brandon. Krupski's children have also pursued careers that reflect his dedication to the North Fork and the family's agricultural roots: Nick Krupski is an incumbent Southampton Town Trustee; Kim is the county executive director for Farm Service Agency, USDA.

Krupski earned a Bachelor of Science in plant science at the University of Delaware and is a fourth generation farmer at Krupski's Pumpkin Farm in Cutchogue. He was first elected to the Suffolk County Legislature in January, 2013. Before that, he was elected in 1985 as a Southold Town Trustee, where he served for 11 years as president. Next, he was elected to the Southold town board in 2005, where he also served two years as deputy supervisor.

Following is Patch's full Q&A with Krupski:

Patch: The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Krupski: Water Quality, both ground water and surface. I have been active my whole career trying to improve conditions both to our aquifer and creeks and bays. I worked with local county and state governments on road run-off projects that have eliminated sediment, nutrient and pathogen loading, while recharging our aquifer. I was active with the Article 19 code that allowed for the piloting, testing and permitting of advanced wastewater treatment, insisting that this will not increase density.

P: What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?

K: I have over three decades of experience.

P: Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

K: Working with all levels of government to address sea level rise.

P: What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

K: My ability to work with all levels of government and members of all parties to serve the community.

P: The best advice ever shared with me was ...

K: Listen to everyone, respect and serve the community.

P: What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

K: I have always believed that the environment was the economy, and we can protect both on the East End.