Meet The Candidate: Evelyn Hobson-Womack For Riverhead Town Board

RIVERHEAD, 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.

Evelyn J. Hobson-Womack is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines for one of two open seats on the Riverhead town board. Hobson-Womack is facing off against Juan E Micieli-Martinez, who is also running on the Democratic and Working Families line, and both Kenneth Rothwell and Bob Kern, who are running on the Republican and Conservative lines.

Following is Patch's full Q&A with Evelyn Hobson-Womack:

Evelyn Hobson-Womack

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

56

<b>Position Sought</b>

Riverhead Town Council

<b>Party Affiliation</b>

Democratic

<b>Family</b>

Husband — Kevin Womack Sr., correctional officer for Suffolk County Sheriff's Department
Son — Kevin Womack Jr., 23, St. Johns University graduate
Daughter— Emani, 17, Riverhead High School senior with honors. All lifelong Riverhead residents

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

No

<b>Education</b>

Riverhead High School graduate

<b>Occupation</b>

Retired June 26, 2021, from the Riverhead Town Police Department after serving 28 1/2 years.

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

None

<b>Campaign website</b>

Facebook - "Friends of Evelyn"

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

To bring transparency and inclusion to the Riverhead town board.

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

I feel the most pressing issue in Riverhead right now is public safety. The Riverhead Police Department is the same size today as it was when I joined the force in 1993. The population of Riverhead has grown by 30 percent during that same time period. When I am elected in November, I will push to expand our police force and ensure they have the equipment and funding resources needed to keep Riverhead safe.

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

The critical differences between the other candidates and I are that am I active within our community. I have deep roots here and I have the trust and confidence of the people of Riverhead.

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

I feel the current officeholder does not listen to the community. She has shown division and exclusion in Riverhead. As a diverse community, we can not afford that type of leadership.

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

I feel they lost a tremendous opportunity to make plans for the town once we were on the other side of the state of emergency. I would have used that chance more effectively. I would have been better prepared and I certainly would not be using the pandemic as a blanket excuse as to why I failed to accomplish something.

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

I feel we must seek balance between growth and the negative impacts that it has on Riverhead. We must address the traffic and parking issues that come with growth and we must preserve our town's rural character. At the same time, we need to encourage smart retail growth downtown, mom-and-pop shops, restaurants, and family-friendly entertainment options.

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

I have been a trailblazer. I was sworn into the Riverhead Police Department in 1993 as the first African American female officer. In 2002, I was promoted to the detective division, becoming the first African American to achieve that rank. I am not afraid to break barriers.

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

Don't limit your challenges rather challenge your limits.

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

My parents Bertha and Carnal Hobson Sr., taught me the importance of a strong work ethic, honesty, integrity, morality, and the true meaning of family values. I am approachable, willing to listen and ready to work for all of the residents of Riverhead.