Meet The Candidates: Eileen Powers For Southold Town Justice

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.

Eileen Powers is running unopposed to retain the seat as town justice she has held since 2018. She is running on the Republican and Conservative lines.

Following is Patch's full Q&A with Eileen Powers:

<b>Name <b>

Eileen A. Powers

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

54

<b>Position Sought</b>

Southold Town Justice

<b>Party Affiliation</b>

Republican

<b>Family</b>

Husband — Larry Tuthill

Daughter — Meg Tuthill, 23

Son — Sean Tuthill, 21

Daughter — Molly Tuthill, 19

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

NO

<b>Education</b>

JD cum laude, St. John's University School of Law
BA Stony Brook University (American history and English)

<b>Occupation</b>

Attorney, 29 years

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

Southold Town Justice since Jan. 2018

<b>How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?</b>

We worked closely with state and county court officials to get our court online. We reopened the court as soon as we were cleared to do so. We used technology to help comply with social distancing mandates and get the court operating at 100 percent.

<b>What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?</b>

I am a former Suffolk County prosecutor and was the deputy bureau chief of the major crimes division. I have vast experience trying cases before Suffolk County juries including the Farmingville day laborer cases. I also worked as a defense attorney and defended individuals charged with serious crimes, including before juries when necessary.

I am also an experienced municipal attorney. I am a former town attorney for Southampton. Since 2001 I have operated a private law office in Riverhead with a focus on litigation. I also continue to represent municipalities outside of Southold.

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

It is not enough to "do your best". You need to do what it takes to get it done.

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

In addition to being very experienced, am a hard-working, fair, and impartial justice. Everyone is treated fairly in my court. You can always count on me to do what I believe is right.