RIVERHEAD, NY — Riverhead Town residents will be hitting the polls soon to elect local representatives.
The race is on leading up to Election Day, which, this year, falls on Tuesday, November 3.
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.
Ken Rothwell, a Republic and Conservative candidate, is facing off against incumbent Jerry Halpin, for the Southampton Town Supervisor's seat.
Ken Rothwell
How old will you be as of Election Day?
55
Does your campaign have a website?
What city or town do you live in?
Wading River
What office are you seeking?
Riverhead Town Supervisor
Party affiliation
Republican and Conservative
Education
Associate Degree in architecture
Associate Degree in mortuary science
What is your occupation?
Funeral home owner
Equestrian farmer
Riverhead Town councilman
Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.
Wife: Debra Rothwell, owner Thunder Road Stables; married 31 years
Two sons. Kenny Rothwell, paramedic with Stony Brook University Hospital, and Cameron Rothwell, paramedic with Stony Brook University Hospital.
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No.
Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?
Yes, current Riverhead Town Councilman.
Now we would like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running for election and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?
To better steer the town through more restricted town budgets. Reduce tax burdens on residents. Redevelop the EPCAL property with high-tech, high-paying jobs. Finish construction of the new ambulance facility at no taxpayer expense. Preserve more farmland and open space protecting Riverhead's agricultural heritage. Continue to revitalize all of the downtown Main Street area to aid local business and create a more sustainable tax base, as we are now under construction building our first town square.
Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing constituents is:
High property taxes. I cut 35 percent of my opponent's tax hike this year.
What needs to be done to address water quality issues on LI?
I personally worked with federal, state and county agencies to install water main extensions in Manorville and Calverton, providing clean drinking water to residents at no taxpayer expense. I received federal grant money to upgrade our infrastructure and filtration systems to provide clean drinking water. We need to continue to work with the U.S. Navy and EPA to clean up the EPCAL site removing PFAS from the ground soil, that is affecting our water source.
What do you think can be done to help improve our infrastructure, highways, etc.?
We need to continue to invest through grant funding in our water and sewer departments' filtration systems. Continue to seek out additional grant funding for highway equipment.
How would you plan to help local business owners, who are struggling because of high rents, inflation and labor shortages?
Reduce the property tax burden with a better town budget, more efficient departments, eliminate wasteful spending and increase revenue in town departments such as building, planning, code enforcement and justice court. Develop the EPCAL site to create high-tech, high-paying jobs.
How are federal issues impacting local government?
Working with our local Congressman Nick Lolota and the federal government, they have brought in many grants to our police department and water department, reducing our residents' tax burden. Also, residents need local taxes reduced to help reduce the federal impacts and actions that have increased fuel costs and living expenses.
What is your stance on how ICE enforcement has impacted local communities?
ICE enforcement is a federal agency and we have no authority to direct any federal agencies on the local town government level.
What are the major differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?
EPCAL — I want high-tech, high-paying computer technology jobs. My opponent wants to spend millions of dollars on a railspur to turn the EPCAL site into a waste-receiving transfer station, which provides limited jobs, no tax base and destroys a valuable asset to the town.
What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Through six town amendments, I just reduced the current supervisor's proposed budget tax hike by 35 percent.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I have obtained over 70 million dollars in grant money. Built and upgraded our water and sewer infrastructure. I increased our police force, making Riverhead a safer place to live.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I am a very successful local businessman in the private sector. I will use my knowledge to reduce taxes, build stronger-paying jobs at the EPCAL site and preserve more land in Riverhead, maintaining a balance of open space and development.
What is the best advice anyone has ever given you and why?
Don't stare at someone and just argue your own point of view, walk around and see what they are looking at.
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