The four-year Southold Town Board member notched 52% of the vote in what he called a “Republican-favored district” and will now represent Southold, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Brookhaven and Southampton.

Mr. Doroski received 11,219 votes, beating Ms. Stark by 908 votes according to the Board of Elections’ unofficial results.

The remaining 30 people at the Democratic watch party at Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. in Peconic erupted in cheers when Southold Democratic Committee chair Kathryn Casey Quigley announced his victory at 11:11 p.m.

Democrats had held off on calling the county legislator race at 10:39 p.m. despite Mr. Doroski appearing on the brink of pulling the upset. As of 10:41 p.m., the two candidates were split by 795 votes. By 11:11 p.m., Mr. Doroski’s lead had grown to 890 votes, prompting the Suffolk County Democratic chair to call the race in his favor.

It capped a strong night for Democrats in the area, as well as nationally, with wins in key races including the New Jersey and Virginia governorships and New York City’s mayor’s race.

Throughout his door knocking-campaign, Mr. Doroski said he found “there is more that unites us than divides us” among voters.

“We all want to preserve our open space; we all want to preserve our farmland, our water,” Mr. Doroski said late Tuesday night, citing common threads among 1st District voters.

Ms. Stark, who was at the Republican watch party in Riverhead, commented Wednesday.

“We have accomplished great things – historical changes that will have longstanding benefits for the East End. Thank you to my family and every supporter who stood by me — our work continues,” she said.

Mr. Doroski’s win coincides with Southold Democrats taking home at least seven other seats Tuesday night between Southold’s Town Board, Trustees, highway superintendent and town justice races.

The room of more than 100 people at Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. burst into applause at 9:25 p.m. when Mikie Sherrill was announced winner of the New Jersey governor’s race.

“That’s going to set the tone for the evening, right,” Ms. Casey Quigley said.

When he takes his seat on the County Legislature next year, Mr. Doroski plans to meet with department heads, commissioners, employees and other legislators to get the lay of the land on the county level before rolling up his sleeves.

Issues at the forefront of his mind are figuring out how to garner more funds from state partners for the working waterfront initiative and seeing how Southold’s deer management protocols could be translated to the district and East End at large, he told The Suffolk Times late Tuesday night.

Mr. Doroski’s term will end in 2028, as Proposition 2 in Suffolk County — to change County Legislator term lengths to four years to coincide with New York’s even-year election cycle — received a 57.4% voter approval rating.

Meanwhile, at the Southold Republican watch party at Sannino Vineyard in Cutchogue, Republican chairman Peter Ganley had expressed confidence earlier in the evening around 9:13 p.m.

“We’d rather be us than them,” Mr. Ganley said, touting the “biggest turnout in a decade” and crediting this year’s GOP slate as one of the strongest the party has ever had.

He warned attendees that early numbers would be heavily Democratic from early voting.

“The first numbers you see will be scary to everyone. You’ve all been warned,” he told the Republican gathering at 9:36 p.m.

By 11:17 p.m., TVs were turned off at the Republican watch party and Sannino Vineyard cleared out.

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Jerry Halpin, the lead minister at North Shore Christian Church in Riverhead, maintained a slim margin over incumbent Supervisor Tim Hubbard on Wednesday afternoon as one of the closest races in town history remained too close to call.

The political novice held a 21-vote lead — 3,891 to 3,870 — as of 1 p.m., according to unofficial results from the Suffolk County Board of Elections.

The razor-thin margin kept both parties on edge late into Tuesday night as technical issues with card readers in two election districts delayed final results.

At 11:35 p.m., Riverhead Republican Committee chair Tammy Robinkoff said she received word from the Suffolk County Board of Elections that there was a problem with election districts 12 and 22, where 200 votes remained outstanding.

Officials are also still counting absentee and military ballots.

The tight margin may trigger an automatic recount, according to New York State election law.

“It’s still a decent level of uncertainty because we still don’t know for sure, and we won’t know for some time,” Mr. Hubbard said Wednesday.

“In a race that close, you know if it demands a recount, we remain hopeful that it’s going to go in our favor,” he added. 

Mr. Halpin, an independent candidate who ran on the Democratic line, expressed his gratitude for residents who “made it a priority to vote.” 

“I am excited about the current standings, and I am patiently optimistic as we wait for a final decision,” Mr. Halpin, who has worked in nonprofit leadership as a pastor for more than 30 years, said in a text on Wednesday. 

Ms. Robinkoff was still keeping the faith for a comeback by Mr. Hubbard. 

She said Tuesday at the Republican watch party at Stonewall’s Restaurant in Riverhead that none of the candidates would concede until all the results were in.

By 11:15 p.m., the atmosphere at the Republican watch party had grown somber as the crowd started to thin out.

Mr. Hubbard, as well as Councilmen Bob Kern and Kenneth Rothwell, stayed until the very end of the night. 

Mr. Hubbard stepped outside for air before Ms. Robinkoff made her announcement. At 11 p.m., the two candidates were separated by just six votes.

He noted the waiting was “a painful process.”

Out of 14,951 votes counted so far for the Riverhead Town Board races, Mr. Kern tops all four candidates with 3,907 votes. Mr. Rothwell follows just behind him with 3,833. Both incumbents look poised to fend off Dem challengers Kevin Shea and Mark Woolley, Mr. Hubbard’s brother-in-law. 

Mr. Woolley currently has 3,759 votes, while Mr. Shea racked up 3,452.

Mr. Rothwell and Mr. Kern, who both ran for a second four-year term, were both elected in 2021 and have played critical roles in making decisions that shape Riverhead’s future. 

Mr. Hubbard said he remains hopeful he’ll get to work again with Mr. Kern and Mr. Rothwell.

“I’m certainly glad to see them both in the lead because I think they’ve done a fantastic job as board members, and I think they will continue to do the same,” he said Wednesday.

Mr. Hubbard served eight years on the Town Board as a councilman and was deputy town supervisor in 2018. He has served as Riverhead Town Supervisor since he was first elected in 2023. Downtown revitalization has been one of Mr. Hubbard’s top priorities, as well as continuing to improve public safety. 

Like Mr. Halpin, Mr. Shea and Mr. Woolley entered the ring of this competitive race as newcomers. Mr. Shea, of Baiting Hollow, is a retired New York City firefighter and 9/11 first responder, and a staunch environmental steward.

Mr. Woolley, a Riverhead native, is a seasoned government liaison who has worked with six different members of Congress.

In other Riverhead races, Laverne Tennenberg and Mike Zaleski both ran unopposed for town assessor and highway department superintendent, respectively. 

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As a fifth-generation North Fork native and lifelong Riverhead resident, she knows the district intimately.

Ms. Stark’s first-term accomplishments are substantial.

She has preserved 290 acres of farmland, with 400 more in process, and helped establish the Working Waterfront Preservation Program — the first of its kind in New York State — in partnership with South Fork Legislator Ann Welker. She has cultivated relationships across county departments that help get things done.

But Greg Doroski brings something the 1st District needs more: deep, current understanding of the challenges facing Southold Town and East End communities right now. As a Southold Town Board member for four years, Mr. Doroski has worked directly on the issues that will define the district’s future — preserving open space, advancing the housing plan, pushing the zoning update forward and strengthening relationships with local police.

He knows which roads flood, which septic systems are failing and where housing is most desperately needed, because he’s been in those meetings, fielding complaints and making decisions.

Tellingly, Southold Town Supervisor Mr. Krupski — who served as county legislator for nearly a decade and employed Ms. Stark as his chief of staff for 12 years — has endorsed Mr.

Doroski. Mr. Krupski knows both candidates well and understands what the job requires. His choice speaks volumes about which candidate is better positioned to serve the district effectively.

On working waterfront funding, Mr. Doroski would prioritize struggling commercial fisheries and aquaculture over recreational boating operations that already have viable business models. Ms. Stark’s creative ideas about on-site housing for hotel staff have merit, but Mr.

Doroski has actively worked to make accessory dwelling units easier to build.

The Democrat’s small-business background as co-founder of Threes Brewing and his current work at Riverhead Brewhouse (soon to become Moonfish Brewery) give him perspective on the economic pressures facing East End employers.

His acknowledgment of the difficult balance between services and taxes — pointing to Southold’s 7.48% increase for 2025, driven by health care and retirement costs — shows he understands fiscal realities, not just ideals.

Mr. Doroski also brings vision for regional coordination, proposing an advisory council to bring East End towns together on climate change, water quality and solid waste planning as Brookhaven’s landfill nears closure. He brings the accessibility and transparency the position demands, modeling himself after Mr. Krupski: attending events throughout the district, staying visible and engaging in public debate.

Yes, Mr. Doroski is leaving the Town Board after one term, and that raises questions about commitment. But he’s not abandoning local government — he’s seeking to serve the same communities at a different level where he can have greater impact.

The 1st District needs a legislator who knows its needs intimately, not just theoretically.

Ms. Stark has been capable, but Mr. Doroski’s hands-on experience with the daily challenges facing Southold and the East End makes him the stronger choice.

The Riverhead News-Review endorses Greg Doroski for Suffolk County legislator, 1st District.

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Riverhead faces a pivotal choice for supervisor: Experience delivering results or fresh ideas with good intentions.

The stakes are high. The town has exceeded the state tax cap four straight years, downtown revitalization continues, EPCAL’s future is tied up in litigation, and the balance between preservation and development is increasingly contentious.

The next supervisor will manage a $112 million budget, oversee roughly 350 employees and make decisions affecting every resident’s taxes and quality of life.

Jerry Halpin, an independent running on the Democratic line, brings genuine pastoral care and community spirit. He has spent 30 years leading the nonprofit North Shore Christian Church — managing budgets, organizing volunteers, and uniting people to solve problems. In times of crises, his church has been among the first to offer help — whether running a shelter after Hurricane Irene or organizing meals for firefighters during Manorville fires.

He is right to express concern over the town piercing the state tax cap for four straight years, including 2025’s 7.89% tax increase, and the impact that has on fixed-income residents. Mr. Halpin emphasizes fiscal discipline, listening to constituents and working across party lines.

Tim Hubbard brings experience to attack Riverhead’s problems. A fifth-generation Riverhead resident, he served 32 years as a police officer, eight as town councilman — and two as supervisor.

During his tenure, crime rates have dropped and foot patrols on Main Street have doubled.

Mr. Hubbard’s seeks to balance growth and preservation — concentrating development downtown, along Route 58 and at EPCAL, while keeping Jamesport, Aquebogue, Wading River, Calverton and Baiting Hollow rural.

He is candid about the tax cap. Rising pensions, health insurance, and salaries forced nearly $600,000 in equipment cuts just to limit increases. State mandates without funding create tough choices — and he communicates them transparently. Mr. Halpin has criticized the tax increases but hasn’t offered solutions that address the unique pressures Riverhead faces. While his compassion is admirable, it doesn’t outweigh the town’s daily operational and fiscal demands. At this critical juncture, Riverhead needs steady, experienced leadership to navigate litigation, balance preservation with development and manage complex budgets.

The Riverhead News-Review endorses Tim Hubbard for town supervisor.

Riverhead Town Council: Ken Rothwell and Bob Kern

Voters have two seats to fill on the Riverhead Town Board, pitting Republican incumbents against Democratic challengers with good intentions but untested records

Kevin Shea is a humanitarian and a hero. His 20 years with the FDNY, including service as a 9/11 first responder, demonstrate courage and sacrifice. His work in farm and forest management and his advocacy for renewable energy, flood resilience and environmental protection reflect genuine commitment to Riverhead’s future. His emphasis on maintaining rural character and scrutinizing development resonates with many residents.

But Mr. Shea’s acceptance of the Democratic Socialists of America endorsement raises questions about his political judgment — even if, as he says, he joined simply to “learn more” about their perspectives. For a Town Board position rooted in pragmatic management, aligning with a group whose national platform extends far beyond local governance feels out of step.

Mark Woolley brings 30 years of congressional experience, having worked for six members of Congress, including Tom Suozzi, Lee Zeldin and George Santos. His focus on fiscal impact statements for every resolution, regular constituent office hours and more robust public debate reflects professionalism and attention to accountability. His concerns about overdevelopment are valid and shared by many.

But there’s an unavoidable issue: Mr. Woolley is Supervisor Tim Hubbard’s brother-in-law, and the two are reportedly on non-speaking terms. Riverhead needs board members who can collaborate — not bring personal conflicts into Town Hall; municipal government demands teamwork, not tension.

In an ideal world, political balance on a Town Board offers valuable perspective and healthy debate. The current board is all Republican — Supervisor Tim Hubbard and Councilmen Kenneth Rothwell and Bob Kern, who are up for reelection, and council members Denise Merrifield and Joann Waski, who are not.

But voters shouldn’t base their decision on party composition alone. The question is who can deliver results.

Mr. Kern has brought business discipline to town operations, pushing to modernize outdated systems. He led the charge to update departmental fee schedules — some untouched for 30 years — to reflect current costs and inflation. He has also tackled urgent environmental issues, pressing the Navy for faster cleanup at the former Grumman site and addressing PFAS contamination in McKay Lake. His emerging technology committee, partnering with Brookhaven National Laboratory and Stony Brook University, positions Riverhead to attract high-tech jobs at EPCAL.

Mr. Rothwell has been equally productive. He helped move Town Square from decades of talk to actual demolition, was involved in raising $2 million for the new Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps headquarters and established a self-sustaining billing system to ease the taxpayer burden. His creation of the Hispanic development, empowerment and education committee, with multilingual website access and a proposed town health care day, shows inclusive leadership in action.

Both incumbents understand the delicate balance between development and preservation. Mr. Rothwell’s support for the Transfer of Development Rights program — 70% preservation, 30% development — gives farmers financial incentives while protecting open space. Mr. Kern shares concern about large-scale housing projects overwhelming schools and infrastructure, but remains an advocate for agriculture and innovative solutions such as agrivoltaics.

While an all-Republican board isn’t ideal in theory, in practice, competence matters more than party balance. Mr. Shea and Mr. Woolley bring passion and ideas, but the incumbents bring something more valuable: a record of getting things done. Their track record outweighs concerns about one-party control.

The Riverhead News-Review endorses Bob Kern and Kenneth Rothwell for Riverhead Town Board.

Suffolk County Legislator: Greg Doroski

Catherine Stark has been an effective first-term legislator with deep roots in county government. Over 30 years, she has served as clerk of the Legislature, worked in former county executive Bob Gaffney’s office and spent a decade as chief of staff to former legislators including Jay Schneiderman and Al Krupski.

As a fifth-generation North Fork native and lifelong Riverhead resident, she knows the district intimately.

Ms. Stark’s first-term accomplishments are substantial.

She has preserved 290 acres of farmland, with 400 more in process, and helped establish the Working Waterfront Preservation Program — the first of its kind in New York State — in partnership with South Fork Legislator Ann Welker. She has cultivated relationships across county departments that help get things done.

But Greg Doroski brings something the 1st District needs more: deep, current understanding of the challenges facing Southold Town and East End communities right now. As a Southold Town Board member for four years, Mr. Doroski has worked directly on the issues that will define the district’s future — preserving open space, advancing the housing plan, pushing the zoning update forward and strengthening relationships with local police.

He knows which roads flood, which septic systems are failing and where housing is most desperately needed, because he’s been in those meetings, fielding complaints and making decisions.

Tellingly, Southold Town Supervisor Mr. Krupski — who served as county legislator for nearly a decade and employed Ms. Stark as his chief of staff for 12 years — has endorsed Mr.

Doroski. Mr. Krupski knows both candidates well and understands what the job requires. His choice speaks volumes about which candidate is better positioned to serve the district effectively.

On working waterfront funding, Mr. Doroski would prioritize struggling commercial fisheries and aquaculture over recreational boating operations that already have viable business models. Ms. Stark’s creative ideas about on-site housing for hotel staff have merit, but Mr.

Doroski has actively worked to make accessory dwelling units easier to build.

The Democrat’s small-business background as co-founder of Threes Brewing and his current work at Riverhead Brewhouse (soon to become Moonfish Brewery) give him perspective on the economic pressures facing East End employers.

His acknowledgment of the difficult balance between services and taxes — pointing to Southold’s 7.48% increase for 2025, driven by health care and retirement costs — shows he understands fiscal realities, not just ideals.

Mr. Doroski also brings vision for regional coordination, proposing an advisory council to bring East End towns together on climate change, water quality and solid waste planning as Brookhaven’s landfill nears closure. He brings the accessibility and transparency the position demands, modeling himself after Mr. Krupski: attending events throughout the district, staying visible and engaging in public debate.

Yes, Mr. Doroski is leaving the Town Board after one term, and that raises questions about commitment. But he’s not abandoning local government — he’s seeking to serve the same communities at a different level where he can have greater impact.

The 1st District needs a legislator who knows its needs intimately, not just theoretically.

Ms. Stark has been capable, but Mr. Doroski’s hands-on experience with the daily challenges facing Southold and the East End makes him the stronger choice.

The Riverhead News-Review endorses Greg Doroski for Suffolk County legislator, 1st District.

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His four years in local government have taught him how to get things done, and he’s ready to bring that same approach if he wins on the county level, he said.

Mr. Doroski points to his four-year track record on the board that includes preserving open space, working with the Southold Police Benevolent Association, pushing to keep projects like the Southold zoning update on track and supporting the Community Housing Plan. 

An official who “does [his] homework,” Mr. Doroski said the skills he’s honed at the town level would translate well to county government.

Mr. Doroski said public safety, open space preservation, aquifer and environmental protections, and the cost of living are the predominant concerns throughout the 1st District, which runs from Wading River and Manorville to Orient.

On taxes, Mr. Doroski acknowledges the challenge of balancing municipal budgets while keeping increases manageable. Last year, Southold saw a 7.48% tax levy increase, driven by what he called “unprecedented healthcare costs, retirement costs and just the cost of doing business.”

The year before, the increase was just 0.38%.

Mr. Doroski draws on his experience as a small-business owner — a founder of Threes Brewing in Brooklyn in 2014 who works at Riverhead Brewhouse as a brewer — to guide his approach to fiscal planning. He stressed the importance of proactive budgeting to avoid steep tax hikes down the road.

He also makes a point of staying visible and accessible, attending events and town board meetings throughout the district.  He intends to continue this as a county legislator, modeling himself after Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski’s time on the Legislature from 2013 to 2022. 

“Being a public servant isn’t about having private conversations with someone, it’s helping shape the public conversation,” he said. “It’s helping educate the public. It’s being part of that in a public, open, transparent way.”

Recent immigration enforcement, a polarizing issue for many, is something Mr. Doroski has spoken out against on the heels of recents raids by Immigration and Custom Enforcement officers on the East End.

“To have ICE agents show up in unmarked cars, in masks, without badges, is a recipe for disaster,” he said. “How are our officers supposed to identify them?”

He prides himself on working across party lines with local officials, constituents and community leaders — and said he’s not afraid of spirited debate.

“I think looking back at the history of this county, debate is at the foundation,” he said.

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Last Tuesday in Riverhead, federal agents reportedly attempted to conduct an enforcement action without notifying the Riverhead Police Department — a departure from long-standing practice. This failure to coordinate not only puts local officers in unnecessary danger, it creates confusion and fear in the broader community, which is already on edge. The use of face masks and tactical gear, and the refusal to provide identification and proof of a judicial warrant — as RiverheadLocal reported was the case in this operation, and is reportedly the case around the county — is another dangerous development.

Although by the end of the day it was confirmed that the individuals were not in fact ICE, that it took Riverhead officials hours to confirm their identity speaks volumes to the dangers of such uncoordinated actions. One can imagine possible scenarios where criminals present themselves as federal agents to kidnap or rob unsuspecting civilians, or cases where local officers respond to a scene where civilians are in a confrontation with masked men in tactical gear and assault weapons without visible official identification. As police commissioners, we regularly discuss the importance of coordinating the activities of the various agencies who respond to crisis situations. On a daily basis, our law enforcement officers are forced to make split-second decisions that have lifelong consequences. We must all do our part to make their job easier and safer.

On Monday, June 9, the Southold Town Police Department reached out to local ICE representatives to request guidance on operations and tactics. As of Friday afternoon, we have yet to receive a response. That kind of silence in the face of direct outreach from local law enforcement is reckless and unacceptable.

I want to be crystal clear: We all fully support the removal of violent criminals from our community. But doing so must never come at the expense of due process, public trust and the rule of law. We must also never accept political violence.

These recent federal operations inflame already volatile situations, erode trust in government, and leave local agencies and governments scrambling to restore order and confidence. They are also not fair to the ICE agents and U.S. military personnel who are good people just trying to do their jobs and are being put in an increasingly dangerous position by a president who seems hell-bent on escalating an already dangerous situation.

Public safety depends on trust. It depends on the belief that law enforcement will uphold the rights of all individuals, follow proper procedures and act with transparency and accountability. These recent actions do the opposite.

I implore our federal partners to return to responsible, collaborative practices that respect both the role of local law enforcement and the civil rights of every person in our community, and I ask my local government colleagues to join me in doing so. As the $60 million civil judgment against Suffolk County for allegedly violating the civil rights of hundreds of immigrants who they held in county jails on ICE detainers during the first Trump administration shows, we can’t simply follow questionable federal legal guidance. We must all do our part to uphold the rule of law, protect the civil rights of all individuals, no matter their immigration status, and reject political violence. It is my firm belief that just as the co-equal branches of government are vital to the strength and longevity of our democracy, so is the active role of local governments in defending the rights of our community and the freedom of our friends and neighbors.

Mr. Doroski, a current member of the Southold Town Board, is running as a Democrat for a seat in the Suffolk County Legislature.

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Over 100 community members joined founders and co-executive directors, Liz Casey Searl and Kathryn Casey Quigley for the ribbon-cutting of the school’s “forever home” in Cutchogue, at the former Our Lady of Mercy School building on the hamlet’s Sacred Heart campus.

The ceremony started with a statement from Cindy Armine–Klein, chair of the school’s Board of Trustees. She thanked everyone who made the move possible and discussed the school’s plans for the property.

“It takes a village, you’ve been our village, the strongest village imaginable,” Ms. Armine–Klein said. “We need your continuous help, your support, your money, all that good stuff. This school is a vision of education, and the way education should be and so with that, I want to thank the PCS team for making this a reality. Dreams do come true.”

Peconic Community School announced a plan to purchase the 10.2-acre Sacred Heart campus in September 2022. Ms. Casey Searl and Ms. Casey Quigley first presented their plans for the property to the community that December. 

In addition to the former school facilities, the sale of the property includes the Sacred Heart Church building; the church rectory, a garage or “carriage house” behind the rectory and woodlands that stretch north of the campus. Potential plans for the property include creating walking trails in the wooded area, turning the former church sanctuary into a performance space and creating an art studio with a community kiln in the carriage house. There are also plans for a playground.

The move will allow the school to expand its curriculum and offer a comprehensive summer program. For more information visit peconiccommunityschool.org.

A notable moment in Saturday morning’s proceedings came with a heartfelt gesture of land acknowledgment by the school’s co-founders.

“We stand upon Corchaug land, and we recognize this history with deep reverence and respect,” Ms. Casey Searl said. “And we recognize that we have a call to commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land that we inhabit.”

Marylin Banks-Winter and her nephew Jeff Pegram who consider themselves First Nations People or Indigenous were invited to lead that part of the celebration. Ms. Banks-Winter has lineage to Corchaug, Cherokee, Unkechaug, Salish, Naragansett, Pequot and Powhatan-Pamunkey. She is founding president and co-chair of African American Educational and Cultural Festival Inc., a  nonprofit that promotes diversity and provides youth mentoring and college planning, workshops, enrichment, cultural and historical trips and other programs at local schools and libraries. Ms. Banks-Winter gave greetings in native Algonquin language. 

“Today we gather, and we see the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty of living in a balance and harmony with each other, and all living things,” she said. “So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks.”

Mr. Pegram, an educator and guidance counselor, led in singing prayers upon the land and school.

Southold Town Board members Anne Smith, Greg Doroski and Brian Mealy were also in attendance and gave their congratulations to the school faculty and staff.

“I know it didn’t take a small group of people to get here today and knowing some of your founding families, I know where you started and I appreciate what you have put in to make this happen,” Ms. Smith said. “The town would like to recognize your commitment to teaching about civility and respect, as our supervisor stated at his inauguration. This is something Southold Town commits to, and we appreciate that it is so evident in everything you do in your school.”

The ribboncutting was led by the school’s students who excitedly cut the ribbon with enormous cardboard scissors. Afterward, the community was invited to tour the facility, which has nine classrooms, a library, a faculty room, cafeteria and other offices. 

Brenna Leveille teaches middle school at PCS, which includes sixth, seventh and eighth grades, and said  the relocation has provided stability.

“I feel like having a home in Cutchogue and being within Southold Town really completes the vision of a place-based, community-centered school,” she said. “And getting the positive reaction from the community has just been really uplifting.”

Ms. Leveille is also the mother of a 7-year-old PCS student and said she expects the move to be very beneficial for him and all students as well.

“Having the indoor beautiful space that’s big and can fit our kids and their needs and then also the outside space just feels really ,really good,” she said.

Ms. Casey Searl said in a November interview with The Suffolk Times that the school remains in contract to purchase the property and is currently leasing to buy. She added that they are in phase one of a capital fundraising campaign with a goal of $5 million to $8 million. Their goal for this year, which ends in June, is to raise $500,00 toward the goal. She added that other plans for the property are contingent on their ongoing fundraising.

Peconic Community School was founded in 2012 by Liz Casey Searl and her sister and co-executive director, Kathryn Casey Quigley. It started with just nine students but quickly outgrew its rented space at East End Arts in downtown Riverhead and moved to its previous home at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Aquebogue. Today, roughly 100 students are enrolled there in pre-K through eighth grades.

“[To] all fellow dreamers, let this be a lesson that manifesting a vision can take time,” Ms. Casey Quigley said just before the ribbon was cut. “There has been more than one moment, and maybe more than 100 over the last 12 years, when we questioned whether we could get this little school to this crucial stage. But patience, perseverance, collaboration and community [made it possible.] Dreams can become a reality.”

Photos by Melissa Azofeifa:

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