Meet The Candidates: Bob Kern For Riverhead Town Board

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.

Bob Kern is vying for one of two open seats on the Riverhead town board. Kern is running on the Republican and Conservative lines, along with fellow Republican and Conservative candidate, incumbent Kenneth Rothwell. Evelyn J. Hobson-Womack and Juan E. Micieli-Martinez are running on the Democratic and Working Families lines.

Following is Patch's full Q&A with Bob Kern:

Robert (Bob) Kern

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

68

<b>Position Sought</b>

Riverhead Town Council

<b>Party Affiliation</b>

American. Republican/Conservative

<b>Family</b>

Single

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

No

<b>Education</b>

College

<b>Occupation</b>

Have owned or been a partner in several different companies currently a consultant

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

Pres. Riverhead Chamber /Chairman Riverhead business advisory committee/ Town ag committee /

<b>Campaign website</b>

Votebobkern.com

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

Know the process / have the business and community experience to continue the forward motion happening now and do not want to see it fail

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

Taking advantage of new investment willing to come to the town for the first time in decades to Riverhead and the experience to direct it for the communities benefit

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

I have been on town committees for over 15 years and understand how each town department operates — where there are efficiencies and how to improve where they are lacking.

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

Lack of experience / Any department head will tell you it can take a year or two to educate a newcomer to the process.

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

Local officials were under a mandate from the state. Riverhead was open more than most surrounding towns. I would have liked to have seen Zoom activated from the beginning so the planning department and others could have continued to work.

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

I would like to work with all the towns in the state to demand bail reform is corrected. The citizens' security detail is our local law enforcement.

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

I have served on a New York State governor's task force to increase New Yorks State's $2 billion wine industry to $5 billion.

As a member of the Farm Bureau board, worked with state legislators and the State Liquor Authority to get interstate shipping passed for New York State wine, cider, beer, and spirits. As president of the Riverhead Chamber, formed a mentor program with the Riverhead High School after a 17-year lapse and creating a chamber tank as well as a student job fair.

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

Everything is impossible until it is possible

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

Issues:

I will advocate for providing transportation to people recently released from the Suffolk County jail to return to their hometowns, instead of being the responsibly of Riverhead residents and police department.

Will work with the county and the state to find housing and support for the homeless and those with mental concerns.

Continuing to fight the defrauding of our senior citizens.

Our youth will be in the front of our minds in decisions concerning the future of Riverhead.

Address the needs of community groups.

Provide the resources to the Riverhead police and the volunteer firefighters and ambulance corps to keep them efficient, effective, and safe.

Economy:

I will advocate for common sense, simplified town code in areas of various permits, agriculture, and business.

To keep Riverhead's agriculture viable we need to increase ag worker housing to preserve our farms.

Any code changes must include stakeholders.

Attract investors into the town, making sure that developments are fair to the community, the town and the developers.

Continue to address the overcrowding of the Riverhead School District.

Will hold state and county officials accountable for vehicle damage due to potholes.

Will hold utility companies accountable for repairing roads that are torn up during routine utility maintenance (gas/water lines).