Candidate Profile: Jill Doherty For Southold Town Council

SOUTHOLD, NY — Southold residents will be heading to the polls soon to elect local representatives.

The race is on leading up to Election Day, which, this year, falls on Tuesday, November 7. Patch asked those running for office to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles in the days leading up to the election.

Jill Doherty, an incumbent on the Republican line, is running for one of two open seats on the Southold Town Council. Also running are Democratic candidates Anne H. Smith and Gwynn Schroeder as well as Republican candidate Stephen Kiely.

Here is Patch's candidate profile of Jill Doherty.

Name

Jill M. Doherty

How old will you be as of Election Day?

59

Does your campaign have a website?

https://southoldgop.com

What city or town do you live in?

Cutchogue

What office are you seeking?

Southold Town Board

Party affiliation

Republican and Conservative lines

Education

Went to Nassau Community College for bookkeeping and accounting

What is your occupation?

Southold Town Council/bookkeeper

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Raised two children in Mattituck. Sarah, 29, and Brian, 26.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Just me.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

I have been elected since 2005. Six years on the board of trustees and 12 on the town board.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I love being the voice for the residents of Southold Town. I have the experience and historical knowledge to talk this wonderful town into the future. Please vote for me on November 7, so we can navigate our way together.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Housing. I am currently the liaison from the town board to the housing commission. I have facilitated weekly meetings with the housing review board to develop a housing plan for Southold Town. This plan was just approved. It’s a 81-page plan that gives hope to people, to be able to have safe and secure housing. There is much more work to be done on the plan. We’re working on hiring an experienced person to implement this plan and help the town board work on the priorities of the plan and fine-tune it. With the housing prices these days, people struggle to make enough money to pay their mortgage and rent — or even find a place that they can afford.

What needs to be done to address water quality issues on LI?

Water quality issues are unique to Long Island not only because we are surrounded by water — we also do not have a sewer system. Work on a combination of many things has to continue. The town is currently working on drainage that leads straight to our creeks by 2025. We should have all our outflow pipes corrected. We need to constantly watch and implement ways to reduce the nitrogen. We also have to continue to educate homeowners about water use.

What do you think can be done to help improve our infrastructure, highways, etc.?

The town board has been putting money into the budget to upgrade our drainage, roads and sidewalks. We have been upgrading the drainage, starting with the worst flooding locations. We fix sidewalks on that road, and then repave. Then that location should be good for at least 20 years. We have made some progress with this plan and we will continue. I have spearheaded searching for the best property for a court building. We will be closing by the end of the year on the property just west of the current police station. We're able to build a new police station and a new courthouse. By building a new police station, we will further our accreditation. This will create a safe and up-to-date workspace for the staff and a safe, comfortable place for the public to enter for whatever reason— and they have to; it’s important to keep up with our infrastructure as a town grows. While making these financial decisions, we always have to consider the entire budget. I am committed to keep our AAA bond rating.

How would you plan to help local business owners, who are struggling because of high rents, inflation and labor shortages?

We have a very engaged economic development committee who are coming up with creative ways to connect small businesses with all generations of the town. The town has upgraded the code where structures in commercial zones can add an apartment above the store for an employee. In the housing plan, there is a mechanism for a low interest loan to help them do this. There is more work to be done on the code to make this easier. We have so many structures in this town that can be used for housing

What is your stance on the current migrant situation affecting New York? And migrants were to be directed to shelters on Long Island, how would you prepare/plan for that?

Our town has grown so fast and we are feeling the growing pains. We cannot sustain any group of migrants in this town. We are struggling to find housing for people who already live here. We have the right to keep our residents safe and secure, and I will do everything I can to establish ways to do that.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am running on my track record. I have been working at the town in some capacity for 30 years. I know how each department runs, I know how to balance a budget, and I know what’s needed to balance the changes, while keeping our rural character. I have proven my work ethic — and I can work as a team with all my colleagues.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I will continue to work on boosting our economy, preserving local land, creating unique housing solutions and improving services and public safety

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

Well, working full-time, I continue to be available to all the residents and visitors of this town seven days a week. During COVID, while still working full-time and then continuing town projects, Denis Noncarow and I developed a shopping program for housebound residents. This program is still going today. I also showed my leadership by working with all the employees to ensure their safety and their well-being during this crisis. Throughout all my years at the town, I have accomplished many, many positive projects for the town — as well as protecting the environment.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My dad not only gave me the best advice, but he led by example. There are so many things, I can’t come up with one. Working hard and treating people with respect and kindness no matter the situation you are in.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My family has been part of this community since my great-grandfather was ordained in the Baptist church in East Marion in 1902. I come from a family of being part of the community. I was a member of the Mattituck Fire Department auxiliary member for 26 years. I have used my restaurant and bartending skills to donate back at events. And I continue to contribute to local causes, to help the less fortunate. Being part of the community helps me understand the needs of the community — and, therefore, I can do my job more effectively.