Meet The Candidate: Peter Johnstone, Jr. For Southold Trustee

SOUTHOLD, NY — Suffolk County residents will be heading to the polls Tuesday to elect local representatives and make their voices heard.

Residents will weigh in on the race to represent one of the 18 legislative districts in Suffolk County, vote for Suffolk County District Attorney and Sheriff — and choose their local town elected officials.

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.

Peter Johnstone, Jr. is running on the Republican and Conservative lines for one of three open seats on the Southold board of trustees. Johnstone is running alongside Republican and Conservative candidates Kristina Gabrielsen and Jason Taggart and facing off with candidates on the Democratic and Working Families lines including Liz Gillooly, Eric Sepenoski, and Elizabeth Peeples.

Following is Patch's full Q&A with Peter Johnstone:

Peter Johnstone Jr

<b>Age (as of Election Day)</b>

44

<b>Position Sought</b>

Trustee

<b>Party Affiliation</b>

Republican, Conservative

<b>Family</b>

Wife Jillian, son Peter

<b>Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?</b>

None

<b>Education</b>

Doctorate degree in physical therapy, Bachelors degree in allied health and science

<b>Occupation</b>

Physical therapist 20 years, real estate salesperson 13 years

<b>Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office</b>

none

<b>Campaign website</b>

https://www.southoldgop.com/

<b>Why are you seeking elective office?</b>

Like many others here on the North Fork, I have seen the decline in the vitality of our surrounding waters. I feel that in order to preserve and restore the marine habitat we have to progress toward more responsible solutions when working with waterfront properties. Over the past few years, we have seen a significant increase in housing transactions and coastal development. I want to help make sure that along with the homeowners, we can make sensible choices when trying to build on our delicate ecosystems. As a community, we have to balance growth and future preservation. For this reason, I am running for trustee.

<b>The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.</b>

Over the past decade, our town has experienced increased tourism, water pollution, nitrogen loading, and coastal development, all having negative effects on our delicate Peconic Estuary. To limit increased nitrogen loading into our wetlands, I plan to continue to advise the use of IA septic systems, promote non-turf and non-disturbance buffers, increase natural plantings within wetland areas, and recommend the use of modern construction materials and technologies to help limit damage and promote healthy marine habitat in our wetlands.

<b>What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?</b>

I have been fortunate to spend my entire life boating and enjoying the beaches here on the North Fork. I have developed extensive knowledge of all of our shorelines and surrounding waterways. I have enjoyed the sunny beach days and endured all the storms that have hit our coast over the past few decades. As a doctor of physical therapy for the past 20 years, I have practiced with honesty and integrity. I have had the opportunity to meet and spend time with many residents of the North Fork. Being able to listen and work with so many people allows me to better understand their different views. Along with being involved with my family construction business during my youth, I have been a licensed realtor for the past 13 years. I have been able to negotiate numerous transactions, and can understand building plans and construction processes. As a trustee, it is important to understand the balance between property rights and community preservation.

<b>The best advice ever shared with me was:</b>

A trustee once told me to treat every application individually because every property is truly unique.

<b>What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?</b>

I plan to promote better communication and teamwork among other members involved with the wetland projects. I will continue to reach out and maintain good relationships with public and private organizations that are working towards the same goals for which I stand for.