Meet The Candidates: Eric Sepenoski 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.

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

Following is Patch's full Q&A with Eric Sepenoski:

<b> Name <b>

Eric Sepenoski

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

37

<b>Position Sought</b>

Southold Town Trustee

<b>Party Affiliation</b>

Democratic, Working Families, Libertarian (write in)

<b>Family</b>

Brenna (Wife), Henry (son, 5)

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

No

<b>Education</b>

PhD in rhetoric and writing from Northeastern University, Boston, MA (2020)

<b>Occupation</b>

Vegetable farmer. I've been farming my whole life. While in graduate school, I taught college research writing courses and business writing courses. I farmed during the summers and taught writing during the school season.

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

None

<b>Campaign website</b>

https://southoldforward.com/er...

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

As the fourth generation of a local farming family, I care deeply about the future of our community and wish to steward our lands and waters so that we can pass them on whole to future generations.

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

The most pressing issue facing Southold Town trustees and Southold Town at large is the ongoing effect of Covid-19 on our ability to get to work efficiently and effectively for the people. I will come to work prepared and ready to work on Day One.

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

Over the past several months I've built a foundation of knowledge needed to be an effective trustee. As a farmer and a scholar, I am both pragmatic and capable of doing the research necessary to make informed decisions. This is an especially important skill set for a trustee because decisions made on the waterfront have long-term consequences, and we need to get it right the first time for our townspeople.

<b>If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)</b>

The trustees have by and large done a good job. *There are no incumbents in the race for three seats on the Southold Town board of trustees

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

Southold Town government's initial response to coronavirus was to shut down, and Southold was among the slowest to reopen. The economic toll of the shutdown is incalculable. It must be said that the trustees had no part in the decision to shut down. I would have immediately advocated for movement to an online platform so that town government could continue to function.

<b>Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.</b>

Water quality is foremost on my mind. I will work to improve water quality by eliminating surface-water runoff into our creeks and bays. Second, our freshwater aquifer is a precious and limited resource that requires us to be conservative in our demands on it. Third, I believe in promoting education about the remarkable place we live. Residents of Southold and the other East End townships all share the distinction of being stewards of the Peconic Bay Estuary, an Estuary of National Significance.

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

Farming is hard work. But farming on top of working toward my doctoral degree while raising a young family—that was especially challenging and rewarding. It clarified what really matters to me: family and service to community. My love of this place and its people is worth it.

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

Do what's right and don't let politics drive decision-making.

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

I love to fish and dig for clams. I also enjoy getting out with the family on our little boat in Orient. The farm provides fresh food and keeps us connected with neighbors who like to cook. Put simply, our shellfish and farmlands are worth fighting for, and I ask you to join me in stewarding and protecting them today and for the future.