Response on key issues

Mr. Reitman’s Nov. 20 letter (“Explain this”) raises several questions. The answers are clear.

First, property taxes. Congress does not set school or property taxes — Albany and local governments do. Under single-party Democratic rule since 2018, New York now ranks 50th in the nation for tax climate, according to the Tax Foundation. What Congress did do, with my leadership, is deliver the largest federal tax relief Long Island has seen in decades: quadrupling the SALT deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000; reducing taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security; and expanding small-business deductions. According to Newsday, the average Long Island family will save $2,860 next year — real relief offsetting the increases coming from Albany and local budgets.

Second, wars overseas. Republicans did not “end wars,” nor did we start any. What I have done is vote to ensure Israel can defend itself against terrorism, provide humanitarian aid to civilians, strengthen U.S. deterrence against Iran, and demand strict oversight and accountability for Ukraine aid. Violence in Venezuela is driven by the Maduro regime and is precisely why America must project strength abroad, not retreat from it.

Third, working families. That is why I’ve supported no-tax-on-tips, overtime tax relief, expanded R&D and small-business expensing, energy policies that lower fuel costs, and bipartisan bills protecting Medicare, SNAP, Meals on Wheels and other lifelines for seniors and families. Claims that these programs are being “cut” are inaccurate.

Fourth, shutdowns. I have consistently voted for clean, bipartisan funding bills — eight under President Biden and five under President Trump — to protect veterans, seniors, federal workers, and families who rely on government services. And while the Constitution requires Members of Congress to be paid during shutdowns, I placed my pay on hold in solidarity with those who were not receiving theirs.

My votes are guided by one principle: helping Long Islanders afford to live, work, and retire here. That is my responsibility — and I take it seriously.

Nick LaLota

Riverhead

Advice for young citizens

To all young citizens between the ages of 18 and 29: If you do not have decent housing, a job that can pay your bills, affordable and comprehensive health care, you should do the following. 

Register to vote if you haven’t done so, learn how to file petitions with the Board of Elections and become committee persons in the Republican and Democratic parties. If you are a Latino or Black youth, only one-third of you vote; you have to increase that. If you are white, less than half of you vote. God only helps the people who help themselves.

Warren McKnight

Greenport

Congress

Isn’t it about time that Congress (Republicans and Democrats) finally clawed back the powers that they have ceded to the Executive Branch?

David James

Cutchogue

Cutchogue’s Holiday Elves

The Board of Directors of the Cutchogue Civic Association would like to thank and recognize Joe and Helen Corso for once again decorating our hamlet for the holidays. For many years now, the Corsos have braved the elements, climbed ladders and hung holiday lights and decorations along Main Road. 

They are the perfect elves, as they just seem to appear out of nowhere, quietly hang the decorations without help from anyone, then disappear. Even more impressive is that in the often cold and snowy month of January, they will again climb ladders and take down the decorations, storing them until next year. We thank our “Holiday Elves,” Joe and Helen, for their continued support for our great Cutchogue community.

Marjorie Adams, Barbara Best,
Andy Brooks, Barbara Butterworth,
Pat Kirkpatrick, Carolyn McCall,
Rich Parlini, Mike Tiner, Dave Bergen

Board of Directors for
Cutchogue Civics Association

Mattituck

Voting matters

Trump pointed out that the system was broken (he was right) and that he was the only person who could fix it. Many people believed him. Well, his methods are making things worse, and I think it’s intentional.

In June, I Googled “What is Project 2025.” That’s when I became angry and terrified. As I’m sure you’re aware, our democracy is in peril, and Congress doesn’t function on our behalf.

What’s the fix? We are. Dwight Eisenhower said: “There is nothing wrong with America that the faith, love of freedom, intelligence, and energy of her citizens cannot cure.” We the people have been given the power by the founders, but we have to vote like we care about proper representation. We must hold those in Congress accountable to look out for our welfare and not cower when threatened by a bully.

The people in Congress have to understand that we, not the oligarchs, elected them. If they’re not representing the people, they’re not doing their jobs.

I understand that people typically vote according to party philosophies, but Congress has abandoned those philosophies to focus on job security. We must show them that the people determine their job security. In 2026, we have to restore the system of checks and balances that the founding fathers knew was critical to the survival of our democracy. This time, you can’t be complacent and just vote a straight party line. Look into the candidates.

If the current situation continues for another three years, there may not be any way to repair the damage. If there is a 2026 election, it will be the most important election of our lives. Let’s hold up our end of the bargain. First we have to save democracy. Then we can think about fixing it.

Charles Gueli

East Marion

Thank you

I never thought I would be writing a letter like this, but the time has come. Thank you to all those who put their faith in me to serve as Southold Town Assessor for five terms. Before this, I spent thirteen years in the private sector, in the same industry; all of which helped to make the transition to the assessors office in January of 2006, a rewarding and smooth one. With that being said, I have enjoyed helping the public at the counter, my office and in hundreds of homes I visited for those unable to come to Town Hall. The trust you afforded me to review and process sensitive documents, even in your own home, is what makes a small town like Southold a great place to live and work. 

I am not leaving the area but will no longer be your assessor. So, if you see me around… Don’t hesitate to stop and say hello!

It has been a pleasure serving the people of Southold Town for the last 20 years. 

Kevin Webster

Cutchogue

War in Ukraine

The following letter was forwarded to the White House and to the United Nations:

Just seven days after I was born in September of 1938, Germany invaded Czechoslovakia. On the 30th of that month, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s Munich Agreement requested Czechoslovakia cede some of it’s territory to Germany in exchange for Hitler’s promise of no further territorial demands. That led to World War II.

In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. Now, three years later, we are considering asking Ukraine to cede part of Ukraine to Russia. Of course Putin will agree to no further territorial demands.

Do we really want World War III?

Richard Brewster

Orient

My vision

I found last week’s letter, “A Different Vision,” to be the most overbearing, high and mighty letter I have ever read. We don’t need a history lesson or the reciting of “Give me your tired…” 

Many of us are descendants of immigrants who came through Ellis Island. They were people who were sponsored by an American and had a job waiting for them. They assimilated and loved America for all its opportunities and freedom. You wrote, “Lincoln’s remarks echoed that he believed there should be no hindrances to those looking to improve themselves by coming to America.” But these are not the people coming here now! They are not looking to improve themselves. They are draining our resources and contributing nothing.

Our ancestors worked and did not want hand outs. The immigrants or better yet illegals, that have invaded our country, have not been vetted, many are terrorists. Two West Virginia National Guard members were recently shot by an Afghan National. Sarah Beckstrom died and Andrew Wolfe is in critical condition. And you do know about the Somalis who stole billions of welfare tax dollars in Minnesota? One of the most unbelievable and egregious scams in our history! Ask yourself why the Biden administration allowed this invasion? A new voter base? Or per Obama “to transform America”?

We are being invaded, plain and simple. Your fantasy of yesteryear’s immigrants is over!

Barbra LaCorte Latham

Cutchogue

Two questions

There’s a very nasty fellow named Rodrigo Duterte who is currently being held in the Hague by the International Criminal Court whose membership is made up of a majority of the world’s countries. Mr. Duterte, former president of the Philippines, is held on charges of crimes against humanity for extrajudicial killings of alleged drug traffickers. During his six years in office, the alleged traffickers were not given due process. On Duterte’s orders, they were just murdered. The number killed by Duterte’s henchmen ranges between 6,000 and 30,000.

Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of Defense (he prefers to call himself the Secretary of War) has presided over the violent destruction of more than 20 boats on the high seas, and the extrajudicial killing of more than 80 people. He recently presided over one attack by blowing up a boat with 11 people on board. Two survived and for about an hour tried to save themselves before they were hit with another explosion and killed.

According to experts in international law and the laws of war, the two remaining people who were alive were required to be rescued. Instead, they were slaughtered. All experts agree. If we are at war, then the killing of these two people constituted the crime of violating the laws of war. If we are not at war, then the killing of these two people amounts to murder.

The United States is one of the countries that has refused to join the International Criminal Court. On that score, Hegseth appears to be safe from the same fate that has befallen Rodrigo Duterte. But except for the number murdered, is there a difference between Duterte and Hegseth? Or is it just a question of how many murders it takes before the world does something about it?

Michael Levy

The post Letters to the Editor: Response on key issues appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Supervisor race

The results are in. The voters have rejected the soon-to-be ex-supervisor. While the tally was close, it is, in fact, a resounding repudiation of the supervisor by a very weak political neophyte Democrat candidate in a Republican-leaning town. 

Mr. Hubbard’s tenure was marked by a 14% increase in taxes in just two years, fiscal irresponsibility, an arrogant total disdain for the state tax cap and ill-conceived, poorly considered, unpopular proposals. In his first budget — which he called “bare bones” in an incredible display of arrogance — he tried to give himself a raise in excess of 8%. This first “bare bones” budget also included a large salary increase for the rubber-stamp Town Board.

Good luck to the new supervisor. Unfortunately, he inherits the same arrogant tax-and-spend Town Board, but maybe they learned something from this election. If not, they themselves should be voted out in the next elections.

Scott Gillespie 

Riverhead

Time to follow the rules

In response to “ICE raids and deportation”, (Letters, Nov. 18), I offer the following:

While it is convenient in the current political environment to blame all the immigration ills on former President Biden and his administration, this would only be a small fraction of a much larger story. 

I am compelled to remind readers that in 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), granting amnesty to nearly 3 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. This was passed by Congress and signed by President Reagan with various proposed justifications, but the bottom line was it gave businesses cheap labor that was welcome in many industries. 

Since the passing of this legislation 39 years ago, no president, Congress or government agency, Republican or Democrat, has followed immigration policy 100% — and that even includes the first Trump administration. There has been plenty of talk about policy, talk about reforms, talk about passing new laws, chest pounding about building walls that Mexico did not pay for, and still nothing but sound bites, blame, random raids, both proper and improper deportations, and more. Every president since Reagan has deported foreign criminals when they are known and the deportations are processed correctly, with some being more aggressive than others, but they have all done it. 

The issue with the current administration is not what they want to do, but how they are doing it. We have rules that must be followed, due process and procedures to minimize errors like some that we have recently seen. This is why previous administrations did not have large scale raids scooping everyone up, because that fixes one problem by creating another.

Glen Sherman 

Baiting Hollow

Woodcliff Park

A million short-term Airbnbs. Woodcliff Park is the villages of New York with rentals. It’s awful.

M. Kusher 

Greenport

Gratitude

Gratitude is often presented as an indulgence to be offered only when everything in life is going well, allowing us to perceive and appreciate what we have. It is hard to practice, especially when life’s circumstances and the current status of the political and social environment leave a cynical, bitter taste in one’s mouth. 

With Thanksgiving, the core ideals are gratitude and thankfulness; the latter word itself is woven into this tradition. But how to express gratitude — and why does it even matter?

Expressing and practicing gratitude does not negate the negatives in life’s path, but instead recognizes the positives that accompany it — small things, like the sandwich you ate, to large things, like having good friends. Practicing gratitude, such as journaling or listing positive things that happened that day, has psychological and health benefits, including lower stress, a stronger immune system and, obviously, less mental distress. While it is hard to do and easy to say, gratitude helps us build greater resilience in times that often feel troubling.

This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for having a great family and my dog.

Anthony Kuczynski 

Mattituck

Thank you

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who came out to support me for Mattituck Park District commissioner on Nov. 20. I really appreciate your support. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the community. It’s an honor to be reelected.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a prosperous New Year. Thank you,

Denise Goehringer-Geis 

Southold and Orient

The benefits of buying local

Buying local unlocks the power of our shopping dollars to benefit all of us.

Thank you, Suffolk Times, for your editorial “Staying close to home.” We agree. And why not enjoy holiday shopping by choosing local boutiques, bakeries and shops? For one-of-a-kind items or special gifts, our area offers a wonderful variety of art galleries, flower shops, wineries and much more.

The future of the North Fork is in our hands; our purchase decisions have power. We have the potential to create the world we want. To a small business, every sale matters. A reminder: For $100 spent at a locally owned business, almost $70 recirculates into our community, reinvested into local jobs, schools and community programs. When we buy from farm stands and farmer’s markets, we support our neighbors and preserve the unique rural character of our region. Also, shopping close to home means fewer long-distance deliveries and less mileage on our cars!

Dorothy Crenshaw and Mary Morgan

Southold

Tackling cyber failures

Suffolk County’s recurring cyber failures demand stronger reporting and stronger leadership

In December 2021, cyber criminals breached Suffolk County’s networks and remained undetected for nearly nine months. They created accounts, stole files and captured officials’ passwords. Using their foothold in the county clerk’s network, they moved into other systems, including the health service. When discovered, 10,000 email accounts were locked and equipment was disabled to stop the spread. Although an urgently recommended update existed that would have prevented the attack, Suffolk’s fragmented IT landscape couldn’t apply it consistently. A report later cited lack of central leadership as a root cause. Remediation was estimated at $25 million.

Nearly four years later, last week’s paper reported that Southold’s servers were hit again, revealing a response plan still no more sophisticated than unplugging the town firewall. The Times did not quote an IT leader (perhaps because one still doesn’t exist), did not reference the 2021 breach or any progress since and relied largely on Mr. Krupski’s minimization of the outage.

I urge the Suffolk Times to cover this issue in more depth to hold our leaders accountable for modernizing security. Without this pressure, residents should expect more outages and wasted public money.

Tom Hayes

Southold

Killing stranded seafarers

Article 12 of the Second Geneva Convention of 1949 (GC II) requires that shipwrecked persons at sea be “respected and protected.” In 1987 and 2017 it was affirmed that such persons continue to have protected status unless and until they commit an act of hostility or continue to fight against the enemy.

I’m not a lawyer: but several lawyers have opined in recent days that issuing a second strike to kill the helpless people who survived the first strike was a clear violation of the above cited rules of war.

Today, I called Representative LaLota (a retired Navy veteran) and asked him to comment on this issue. No one answered so I left a voice message.

The ordered execution of the people manning these fishing boats (purportedly running drugs) may be illegal. Second strikes to kill survivors appears to be pure murder. Yet, Trump announces that he is pardoning the ex-president of Honduras, who was convicted by a jury in Manhattan in 2024 and sentenced to 45 years in prison for conspiring to import cocaine to the United States.

Today, I saw Trump claim that the Biden administration set up the ex-Honduran president. This manipulation of facts is worse than George Orwell’s “1984.”

The lawlessness of the Trump administration is breathtaking.

Contact Representative LaLota and ask him to respond directly to this issue.

Dick Sheehan 

Cutchogue

Expressing thanks

I wish to publicly thank Representative Nick LaLota for committing to vote “Yes” on the House vote to release the full Epstein files. Mr. LaLota’s staff confirmed this to me on Friday, Nov. 14, which was two days before President Trump publicly reversed his position on the Discharge Petition vote to support the release.

I wish also to thank Mr. LaLota for being the last of two Republican signatures needed for the Discharge Petition to force a House vote to repeal Trump’s Executive Order stripping union rights from federal workers.

I am proud to see Mr. LaLota standing up against some of the abhorrent policies of the Trump administration, and I urge him to continue to vote for the best interests of his constituents here on Eastern Long Island, rather than the best interests of Trump, MAGAs or Project 2025.

Barbara Farr 

Southold

More poisonous PFAS

Last month, under EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, two new “forever chemical” (PFAS) pesticides were rushed through approval. Cyclobutrifluram – for lettuce, soybeans, cotton, golf courses and lawns — was approved on Nov. 5 and Isocycloseram – for potatoes, tomatoes, broccoli, citrus, almonds, turf and home pest control — on Nov. 20.

These chemicals never break down. They contaminate groundwater, accumulate in food and are linked to cancer, immune disorders, liver damage and reproductive harm. Isocycloseram is also deadly to bees — up to 1,500 times the lethal dose. Will our local farmers spray these on the food we buy? Will golf courses and landscapers spread them where our kids play?

Lee Zeldin is overseeing the deliberate poisoning of our land and water. The only way to stop it is at the ballot box in 2026 and 2028. Vote for candidates who will ban PFAS pesticides and hold the EPA accountable before it’s too late.

Mark Ghuneim 

Greenport

Well contamination

I find it so disheartening that the owner of the contaminated well (“Forever chemicals.” Nov. 27) has opted for plastic bottles of water to be delivered weekly. Where does everyone think the plastic bottles will be going after their one time use? If you answered “our landfill” you would be 100% correct. Decomposing in our soil for the next generation to deal with.

Cathy Haft 

Orient

Just a matter of time

To reiterate, the flashing yellow light and the left turning lane going into Greenport on the North Road (CR 48/Sound Avenue) worked just fine for many years! But some moron in our state government decided that we needed a circle there. It’s just a matter of time before there is a serious accident. So far I’ve seen back-ups going east and west as people yield to cars going in all directions. The pile-ups have caused people to honk and get enraged. 

I saw a truck the other day that stopped to let the cars pass and got harassed by the cars behind him. Another day a large truck couldn’t make the turn and had to go up on the curb. Wait until a 16-wheeler tries to navigate that circle.  And it’ll be total chaos next summer, when ferry traffic explodes. Good luck!

Barbra LaCorte Latham 

Peconic

A different vision

There always has been talk about immigration into this country. There are places that deal with that issue in a positive manner. We have had Castle Clinton in lower Manhattan, which was built on an old fortress now called Battery Park, where some 8 million immigrants passed through. We have had Ellis Island, which was also built where a fort once stood and where 12 million immigrants passed through. In both places there was help for immigrants who were like so many of our own grandparents And in New York Harbor, there is statue where upon it is written: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Then there is the 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, who on a 12-day journey from Springfield, Ill., to Washington, D.C., stopped in dozens of towns and cities, giving speeches. On Feb.12, 1861, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Lincoln’s remarks echoed that he believed there should be no hindrances to those looking to improve themselves by coming to America. He said: “If there are any abroad who desire to make this the land of their adoption, it is not in my heart to throw aught in their way, to prevent them from coming to the United States.” Lincoln believed in the promise of America, and he viewed it as a promise that all could partake in, regardless of national origin.

That speech inspired the Encourage Immigration Act (Pub. L. 38–246, H.R. 411, 13 Stat. 385, enacted July 4, 1864), a federal law passed by the 38th U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln. It was the first major American law to encourage immigration.

Why can’t the present administration see what the 16th president saw?

Joel Reitman 

Southold

Gambling fears

More casinos approved for New York City. We have lottos of every description, and you can bet on almost anything from the comfort of your home. Am I alone in thinking we are on a slippery slope by a) relying on gambling income in our school and government budgets and b) really concerned about the wellbeing of people who think winning at games of chance will solve their financial woes? 

I don’t assume to have the answer. We have learned from history that prohibition of most things does not work. I consider myself lucky, I’ve bought lottery tickets and been to casinos in Las Vegas and on cruises and have not been tempted to bet more than I can afford. I don’t know why except maybe I dislike losing, but I have a real concern for the government counting on income from casinos and other gambling activities to run our states.

Rosellen Storm

Cutchogue

Say goodbye to Pete

Donald Trump is not known for admitting responsibility for screw-ups. Enter Pete Hegseth, the country’s hapless Secretary of War (as he calls himself — it used to be Secretary of Defense when sanity still prevailed).

Commentators with the requisite military, political and legal backgrounds have gone public and concluded that from all appearances, Hapless Pete ordered the murder of two civilians on the high seas without justification. His so-called “War Fighters” attacked a civilian boat which, from a video of the craft, appears to have had only people on board. Hapless Pete ordered the U.S. military to blow up the boat with everyone on it and to “kill them all.” However, after the explosion and the destruction of the boat, there were still two of the 11 people on board alive and hanging on to the wreckage. So, Pete ordered what’s called a “double tap” – a second strike that would kill the survivors.

By every reported standard, Pete’s order was unlawful and amounts to either a war crime or murder or both. And that’s who’s now in charge of our American military.

The heat has been turned up on the Trump administration. Donald first claimed to know nothing about what happened. Then he said he has 100% confidence in Hapless Pete. But the issue is not cooling off. It’s getting hotter. There’s a good chance by the time this letter is printed, Trump will claim his Secretary of War lied to him and he’s fired.

So, say goodbye to Pete. And good riddance. In a perfect world, he’ll be indicted by the International Criminal Court and never be allowed to leave the country for fear of getting arrested for these deaths.

Michael Levy

The post Letters to the Editor: Supervisor race appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

A political survey

Raise your hand if you voted for this:

1. A president betraying Ukraine and forcing them to accept giving up territory to a war criminal who committed illegal aggression.
2. A president who betrayed his campaign promise to lower prices on Day 1, instead imposed irrational tariffs that increased inflation and then lied about doing it.
3. A president who ordered National Guard and U.S. military into American cities to combat non-existent crises.
4. A president who defies international law by bombing small boats off the coast of Venezuela without knowing whether they contain drug runners or fishermen.
5. A president who himself avoided military service, but calls for the jailing and execution of six decorated members of Congress for restating the Military Code of Conduct they served under.
6. A president who fought vigorously against releasing the Epstein files.
7. A president who stonewalled during the government shutdown in order to raise health care costs for millions of Americans.
8. A president whose cuts to foreign aid have already caused sickness, death and/or food deprivation for two million people around the world.

Congressman Nick LaLota, look around!

You’re the only one with your hand still up!

Jerry Silverstein 

Southold

Shop the community

This holiday season, you might be surprised by how many great gifts are closer than you think. The North Fork is full of them.

It’s still tempting to do all your shopping without leaving the couch — tap an app, scroll a little, hit “Buy Now.” We’ve all done it. But some of the most memorable gifts — the ones that feel personal and truly thoughtful — come from right here in our own community.

From handcrafted jewelry, artwork and clothing in our village shops to local wine, gourmet treats and restaurant gift cards, the North Fork offers something for everyone. You might give a spa day, a home design consultation, a family photo session or tickets to a local performance. And for the practical gift-giver, consider a landscaping service, a heating tune-up or a month of dance or fitness classes — gifts that are both useful and supportive of your neighbors.

Shopping locally does more than add meaning to your holiday giving. It strengthens our community. Every purchase supports local jobs, fuels other small businesses and helps keep our downtowns vibrant. It’s a simple choice that has a real impact.

So before you open an app, take a moment to look around the corner. Visit our shops, restaurants and wineries — or explore the North Fork Chamber’s online business directory — to find local options for everyone on your list.

When you shop local, you give twice: once to the person receiving the gift and again to the community that makes the North Fork such a special place to call home.

Wishing everyone a joyful, meaningful and truly local holiday season,

Judy McCleery

president, North Fork Chamber of Commerce

Southold

YMCA? Yea!

So excited about the potential for a YMCA in Southold. A place to swim year round, take water aerobics, water strengthening and fitness classes, and engage in community activities. The therapeutic benefits for those of us with arthritis or recuperating from joint and medical procedures are enhanced by water resistance exercises.  Aside from adults and seniors benefiting from use of indoor pool(s), a facility provides children, toddlers to teenagers, opportunities to learn how to swim — so essential with our water-enriched topography. 

Programs are not weather- or seasonally dependent, and enable lifelong learning, using a Red Cross structure. Swim teams, lifeguard training, stroke training and employment opportunities are all value added to our communities and to individual health directions. This is in addition to the social bonds and friendships fostered by YMCA classes. 

Traveling daily to Riverhead to swim at the community college is not ideal. The membership cost is not feasible for all and it doesn’t offer any children’s programs. We need a local YMCA — it’s a long time coming. How can we not support this proposed project?

Jane Kaminski 

Southold

Honesty is the best policy

What an extremely impressive man Ken Burns is. He has made so many extraordinary films about this country and our experiences. His impact is remarkable for me and many others. So very important, in these difficult times, “The American Revolution” is on so many levels. Talk about division.

The series shows how our country and the founders we revere are flawed. It is written: “All men are created equal.” And yet, the author of those words, Thomas Jefferson, was a slave owner. We like to think that we were for independence. And we were, for the Patriots fighting the English. At the same time, owning slaves was fine, as was destroying American Indians. 

This film acknowledges our warts and foibles. It is history. History should not be whitewashed. We need to be honest with ourselves, our children and our legacy. I really believe that if we, and our elected representatives, acknowledge that we have a flawed past and are flawed people, we will be better for it.

Rosellen Storm 

Greenport

Thank you

Thank you, Town of Southold, for the opportunity to serve as your Trustee for one term and as Assessor for two terms. We are blessed to live in a free and safe community. I wish Ken Poliwoda and Leah Sullivan the best success as future Town Assessors. I want to thank Claire Glew and Kevin Webster for their years of hard work and for picking up the additional work in my absence serving in the Middle East. Iraq and Syria just underwent their elections, too. These elections are not quite as free and safe as ours. I don’t think anyone in Southold who went to cast a vote feared a suicide bomber or worried that someone from a political party would knock on their door to intimidate a vote rather than solicit one. We forget: It was not that long ago that ISIS terrorists killed American citizens as they swept through Iraq and conducted attacks around the world. We forget because our attention understandably is focused on what we see around us. In Southold we are safe from the terror that exists outside our borders. This safety comes at a price, which is paid by both service member and citizen. Serving in the New York Army National Guard as a citizen Soldier means one is willing to serve both internationally and domestically. When a hurricane hits, the National Guard Soldier is pulled away from his or her civilian job to assist his neighbor in uniform. The civilian employer loses an employee and pays a price in productivity and profit — but all for the good of the community. When ongoing operations worldwide call upon the National Guard, the citizen Soldier is pulled away once again to assist. The civilian employer once again pays a price. The citizen Soldier risks life and blood but fully understands the greater good in all of it. The citizen Soldier knows that back home, his fellow citizens will cast their votes safely and freely. 

LTC Charles Sanders 

The post Letters to the Editor: A political survey appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Acknowledging your support

On behalf of the officers, directors, corporate sponsors, volunteers, professional advisors and advocates of Kait’s Angels, let me take this opportunity to thank the greater community for your support of our efforts this year and in years past. 

Kait’s Angels is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization formed in March 2015, six months after the unexpected passing of Kaitlyn Doorhy, a life fulfilled in countless ways and evidenced by a quilt of accomplishments developed beyond her age.

We’ve just completed our 2025 fundraising calendar of events — Designer Handbag Wingo, Poker Run, community yard sale and the recent Sip & Shop event at J. McLoughlin — and are grateful for your contributions, as we would not be able to support our many North Fork neighbors without them. 

Kait’s Angels is proud to be a financial shoulder for those with job interruption, health crisis and personal setbacks. In addition, we sponsor age-appropriate school assemblies, deliver inspiration and encouragement though our many social media platforms, install buddy benches in locations including town buildings, local libraries and area beaches. We are very proud to have donated dozens of NARCAN and LifeVac Kits throughout the community, including to East End first responders.

Despite the fact that there will always be an empty chair at our table, Kait lives because of the goodness done in her name. Just like Kait, we have been driven to do better and be better. Just like Kait, we have been driven to think first for the well-being of others.

William Araneo

president, board of directors

Riverhead

Hispanic simpatico

 I am 82 years of age and of northern European descent. After decades of living with the majority of my Latino neighbors, they have treated me with much kindness, caring and went out of their way to help me. Whether friend or stranger, time after time they helped me .We are very blessed with their simpatico. Thank you, amigos.

Warren McKnight 

Baiting Hollow

ICE raids and deportation

With all the protests, and sometimes violent demonstrations, against ICE arresting and deporting people who are in our country illegally, some people have missed or are ignoring the root cause of all of it.

None of ICE’s actions would be happening if Joe Biden, instead of blatantly lying to the American people, had enforced our immigration laws throughout his administration. Biden, by tacitly allowing anyone to cross the border, set the stage for the ICE raids and the deportations that are now occurring.

Biden’s inaction on border crossings and the vast amount of taxpayer dollars required for their care will, forever, be his legacy.

Stephen Rothaug 

Southold

Take action on e-bikes

An elderly woman was exiting the front of the Southold Pharmacy. As she was about to step onto the sidewalk, two young kids came roaring by on a pair of electric bikes — the type with the balloon tires. They very narrowly missed hitting her and, without stopping, kept on going.

If they had hit this poor soul, what recourse would she have? These vehicles are not required to have license plates, helmets, lights or, most importantly, liability insurance!

I have nothing against electric bikes, but the operators should be held to the same standards as, for example, a small motorized gasoline-powered scooter.

Legislators, take notice! Enact regulations to correct this dangerous loophole.

Barry Charles

London, U.K.

A word about Soloviev

Don’t let him do it. Greedy, rich developers have no right to spoil Southold.

Robert Goldman

Summerville, S.C.

A development alternative

I’m perplexed by the outcry over a proposal for 47 homes on 372 acres — preserving 75% of the land — when previous plans allowed nearly 193. But who will live in these homes? Most will likely be second or weekend residences, adding tax dollars but little community engagement. Full-time residents — our teachers, first responders, and store clerks — bring vibrancy, volunteerism, and local support that weekend owners rarely match. 

Rural towns gain stability, safety, and school participation from year-round homeowners, whereas seasonal owners contribute mainly economic resources. Prioritizing affordable housing can foster neighborhoods where people know and help each other, stabilizing property values and protecting community character. 

As we plan, let’s champion policies that build sustainable, engaged communities for working families. Imagine: Instead of 47 second homes, what if we built 275 affordable apartments? This would nurture a resilient, diverse community of residents who truly invest in our future.

Bill Bladykas 

Laurel

Turnout and burnout

Beginning next year, all residents of Mattituck and Laurel will be forced to make contributions to a historical society which, for decades, has been financed through voluntary donations. The reason: On Oct. 21, 113 residents of the area voted “yes” in a referendum on whether they and their neighbors should be taxed to finance the society’s operations. Voter rolls for this election contained 4,917 names.

Many residents said they did not know about the election despite the repeated appearance of legal notices, a mailing from tax proponents urging a “yes” vote and a lone story in a local newspaper. You can’t blame residents (even the few who knew about the referendum) for not casting ballots; they’re suffering from voter fatigue. 

In addition to the elections held a couple of weeks ago, they were called to polling places in the last few months to vote on the Mattituck-Cutchogue School District budget, a bond issue to finance a major library expansion, the library’s budget, the budget of the local park district and proposition #1 (to fund the historical society) – all on separate dates. If a win at the polls required approval of more than 50% of those eligible to vote – as public boards operate – nothing would ever get passed given the turnouts in these elections.

Perhaps Albany should consider legislation to provide for all district budget votes, commissioner races and propositions to occur simultaneously. The various jurisdictions would all have a stake in promoting the date and time of such balloting, which should enhance voter turnout.

Nearly 5,000 qualified voters will be affected by last month’s referendum to raise taxes for Mattituck and Laurel residents. Fewer than 2.3% of eligible voters actually cast ballots to sustain the levy. It’s ridiculous that so small a percentage should speak for us all.

David Levy 

Peconic

Explain this

In a recent letter to generate donations, Representative Nick Lalota wrote about cutting taxes. Maybe he could explain why school and property taxes are going up?

While he is doing that and while he and the Republicans have ended wars, there still are wars in Israel and the Ukraine. And there is another war starting, one with indiscriminate bombing in Venezuela. Explain that?

Mr. Lalota says that the Republicans put working families first, now that’s the one, the one where the issue is on one that Democrats won on in Virginia, Georgia, New Jersey, California, New York City, Detroit, and in the 1st Legislative district in your home county of Suffolk. The issue that working families are concerned about is the economy. These are the voters, the working families that the politicians are supposedly helping. These constituents are facing higher prices, losing jobs to AI, government cuts, tariffs and higher fuel costs. The Democrats used that issue to defeat the Republican candidates in all polls by over 10 percentage points. Explain that?

Mr. Lalota says that he cares for working families? Well, most politicians never worked a non-political job and therefore don’t have any idea about SNAP, WIC, HEAP, Meals on Wheels, Medicare, Medicaid — the list goes on. Those are programs that are being cut while the FAA cuts flights so we can’t go visit our loved ones on Thanksgiving. While the Congress, one body of government that you are part of, that shut down the country, all the while food and home heating costs are going up. Explain that?

Furthermore, none of that affects any elected official, that’s because they still receive a government paycheck and all the perks while the government is shut down. Can you explain that?

Joel Reitman 

East Marion

Congress must do its job

No more excuses, no more continuing resolutions. Another government shutdown drama, another continuing resolution (CR) to “save the day.” Let’s call it what it is: a failure of Congress to do its most basic job.

The whole shutdown mess was absurd. We should never have had a CR to begin with. Every Sept. 30, Congress is supposed to pass all 12 appropriations bills that keep our government funded. That’s not a suggestion — it’s their duty. Instead, when they can’t agree, they kick the can down the road with a “temporary funding measure” to keep the lights on.

The first continuing resolution was enacted on Oct.1, 1981, as a stopgap because lawmakers couldn’t finish their work on time. Since then, Congress has managed to pass all appropriations bills by the deadline only four times. Four times in more than 40 years. That’s not governance — that’s negligence.

And frankly, I don’t care which party is to blame. This isn’t about Republicans or Democrats. It’s about accountability. Every member of Congress, regardless of ideology, should be held responsible for doing the job they were elected to do. We voted for them to represent us — not to delay, posture and pass endless CRs while the government lurches from one funding crisis to the next.

It’s time for serious reform. If Congress can’t pass all appropriations bills by Sept. 30, there should be real penalties. Dock their pay. Cancel recess. Freeze campaign travel. Whatever it takes to make them feel the same urgency the rest of us feel when we miss a deadline at work.

 We deserve a government that functions — not one that survives on stopgaps and excuses. No more CRs. No more finger-pointing. Do your job, Congress. That’s what we hired you to do.

Jack Malley 

The post Letters to the Editor: Acknowledging your support appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Thank you

We want to thank Al Krupski and the Food Rescue US – North Fork volunteers who showed up at the last minute to distribute literally tons of squash to food pantries across our fork. The Krupskis have been generous members of our community for decades and we at Food Rescue were thrilled that the supervisor reached out for help to share the abundance from his farm.

Many of our volunteers showed up with their cars and crates — one even rented a U-Haul — to take as much as they could to the pantries, which are feeling extra pressure to feed so many more people in need during these stressful times. The generosity of these members of our community is what makes the North Fork such a special place to live.

Stephanie McEvily and Anne Howard 

co-site directors, Food Rescue US – North Fork

Riverhead

Train tale

A little footnote to the article on the infamous 1926 train wreck in Calverton (Nov. 6). My grandfather, Gottlieb Bartunek, was one of the 337 passengers in one of the coach cars of the train. He was returning from a business trip to New York City and was coming back with some flowers for a floral arrangement. Fourteen-year-old Alvin Bartunek (my father) was waiting at the Riverhead train station in my grandfather’s Buick for the arrival of the “Shelter Island Flyer,” when he was informed of the wreck in Calverton. He drove to the site of the train wreck and was told that my grandfather had taken Woodson’s Taxi to Riverhead. By this time, the company of soldiers and numerous policemen at the site convinced my father that because he did not have a driver’s license, it might be prudent to go home.

I was never told what happened to the flowers my grandfather was carrying.

George Bartunek

Riverhead

There’s still time

The Sigal Building, former home of CRAFT’D, still stands until Riverhead Supervisor Hubbard can arrange a luminaries event to witness its demolition. 

Board members might consider how many votes were lost by their presumptuous imposition in the new Town Square of a five-story hotel/condo with only limited public support. Mr. Hubbard, the most visible advocate for the hotel/condo project, has apparently lost to Jerry Halpin. The Town Board candidates who supported his policy faced reduced returns from their elections four years ago: Rothwell going from 31.06% to 25.63%, and Kern from 29.65% to 26.12%.

The Town Board board should reconsider before the Petrocelli wrecking ball arrives and invite CRAFT’D to return to a reconfigured two-story building with an 80-year history.

If not, they can redeem themselves by dropping the hotel idea and restoring the full publicly purchased Town Square park. The expressed goal in Resolution 399, adopted by the board on Aug. 4, 2020, was “creation of a public gathering space with pedestrian connectivity and open vistas from Main Street to the Peconic River.”

Imagine a lawn from Main Street to the amphitheater, providing an unobstructed view from The Suffolk theater to the Peconic River, with ample space for summer concert audiences to spread out picnic blankets. An actual “open vista” will also provide a far better setting for the historic East End Arts Council buildings than being squeezed between two five-story behemoths. New residents of Heatherwood will not object to the much improved view.

If Jerry Halpin is confirmed as supervisor, an early test of his leadership will be to save the Town Square park from the hotel/condo.

If the demolition goes forward, I plan to be there to suggest to attending VIPs an alternative truly “open vista” future for the space.

John McAuliff 

Riverhead Watch

Riverhead

Town Board observations

I was present at the last three Riverhead Town Board meetings. I noticed Jerry Halpin was there also. He did not make any comments and seemed very focused on the proceedings. I thought to myself, ‘Riverhead has two caring citizens: Tim Hubbard, who has and will continue to love and serve our town, and the Rev. Jerry Halpin.’

Warren McKnight 

Greenport

Keep the festival afloat

Regarding “Maritime festival hits rough seas” (Nov. 6) and the decision of East End Seaport Museum & Marine Foundation’s decision to abandoned the ship when it is gaining momentum after the deadly waves of COVID- 19 and that, too, without the confidence of the community.

Love for sea and ships are in-born attraction for the people residing on Long Island in general and for those youngsters in particular desiring to take up marine careers. Not everyone becomes the captain but may be the master of universe.

The magnificent Maritime Museum stands proudly on the shores of Greenport village and is one of the landmarks depicting its heritage and history with nautical gadgets, pictures, charts and relevant materials.

Hats off to museum director Erin Kimmel and her dedicated crew for keeping museum afloat with flying colors. But while focusing on its “core mission,” it seems she is drifting away from its vital mission of an annual maritime festival, which also benefits the local business community at all levels. Looks like some wise judgment and right navigation is missing while steering the course.

Fun and education go hand in hand. Thousand of visitors, tourists, sea lovers and seafarers across the island flooded the street of Greenport exploring the charm of nautical village and witnessing the cardboard boat regatta and rescue operation and air demonstration. These are everlasting experiences and lifetime learning.

Let’s join hands together and clear the deck for the annual Maritime Festival with smooth sailing.

Muneer Haleem

Greenport

Homes for the working class

In last week’s issue (“Luxe home mega-development fuels ‘South Forkification’ fears.” Nov. 6) , I was pleased to note a quote from Bill Bladykas: “Will we find out next firefighters, EMT volunteers or local store clerks among these residents?” 

I would have added hospital and bank employees, teachers and all sorts of working-class people.

All the new construction I see on the North Fork consists of very large houses with swimming pools. Is this really necessary?

How about smaller homes that would be suitable for local working-class families, whose ranks are disappearing rapidly, much to the detriment of this whole area.

Byron Cohen

Southold

ADU housing

How many years of nothing being done are we at now? I think 20 years. The ADUs (“Pre-fab ADUs may aid housing crisis,” Nov. 6) seem like a sustainable choice. Let’s make it happen.

Marie Lisa Truglio 

Mattituck

Seeking your support

My name is Denise Goehringer-Geis. I am running for reelection as Mattituck Park District commissioner. Since I was elected three years ago I have spearheaded the residents’ campaign for a local dog park at Aldrich Lane and added a pet food pantry for the community to come together and help each other by taking what you need and leaving what you can for our furry friends.

I have expanded our community activities by adding outdoor movies to our summer concert series. This year, I have also added the first indoor family holiday movie night, featuring “ELF,” Saturday, Nov. 15, 7 p.m. 

I have been the Easter egg hunt coordinator for over 30 years. And this is the third year that I’ve been the coordinator for our party with Santa, which will take place Saturday, Dec. 13, starting at noon.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as a commissioner. If reelected, as a lifelong Mattituck resident. I promise to work together with the community on preserving the park district history, while bringing our parks and beaches into the future responsibly.

Working together with the current commissioners and the community, we have accomplished much in the past three years. I’m asking for your support on Thursday, Nov 20. Voting takes place from 3 to 8 p.m. at Veterans Park.

Denise Goehringer-Geis 

Southold

People over politics

In Southold, we pride ourselves on being neighbors first. This election reminded me how vital that spirit is, and how easily it frays when national politics seep into local life.

I’m grateful to voters and to this paper for endorsing my reelection as Town Trustee. But along the campaign trail, I saw more anger than in years past. While talking with voters outside King Kullen, a man asked which party I belonged to. When I said I was a Democrat, he cursed, slammed his grocery cart and drove off in anger. I share this because it saddened me. I’m raising my family here, and that reaction feels foreign to the community I want my child to grow up in.

The antidote to division is to lean harder into what makes us neighbors. Hold the door at the post office. Show up at town meetings and football games. Have conversations with people who might surprise you. Choose connection over contempt, every single time.

But that effort gets harder when headlines like “Blue wave hits North Fork” turn elections into partisan scorecards. Every candidate who won attracted voters from both parties and many independents. People voted for neighbors they trust to do the work on behalf of our community, not for party labels. When we frame local elections in the language of national politics, we risk importing a divisiveness that doesn’t serve us. Our local paper plays an important role in shaping how we see each other.

What gives me hope is that we already know how to work together. When the fire whistle blows, our volunteer firefighters don’t check lawn signs before they respond. Candidates from both parties talked about the same complex challenges —ones that don’t have easy answers. They require nuance, good faith and the humility to acknowledge competing values.

The work of a Town Trustee isn’t about politics. It’s about stewardship. Our board consistently reelects the sole Republican as president because he’s excellent at the job. That’s how governing should work: grounded in respect and a shared commitment to the public good.

The challenges ahead are real and urgent, but we can meet them if we keep choosing each other. That’s the Southold worth protecting, and the better angels of our nature worth calling on.

Liz Gillooly

Town Trustee

Greenport

Engage!

What made America great was that the truth always mattered — and still does. Right from wrong used to be obvious to many more. A time will come when the truth cannot be buried in taglines like “Fake News” and “Liberal Lunatics.” Dues are due. 

I predict that things are coming to a head. There is finally some hope for sanity, justice and righteousness. To all those who were losing hope and belief in the resilience of America, the oldest, longest-running democracy in history, it’s not time to sit back and take a sigh of relief or to celebrate. It’s time to stand up, to engage and continue to challenge the misinformation, lies and corruption that are the signatures of this nightmare. Democracy dies from silence. The war is not over. Engage.

Paul Henry

Southold

‘Disturbing encounter’

 I’m a longtime Southold resident. On Oct 7, 2025, my wife and I had an extremely disturbing encounter within our fair hamlet. I’m sharing it for your readers to better understand what’s taking place in our backyard.We were driving through Southold and saw the Gaza-related signs that had been displayed throughout the summer. The person who put them there, a longtime acquaintance, had thanked me for my “thoughtful comments” in a previous conversation. A protest was being conducted there by another individual. 

Oct. 7 [was] a painful anniversary for all who possess a semblance of humanity — Jew and non-Jew. And on that day the world was awaiting a Hamas response to a ceasefire proposal that had been proposed over a week prior. I stopped and inquired why [the man] wasn’t displaying a sign demanding, “Hamas, take the deal!” 

He answered that the offered peace deal would subject Gazans to subservience. Factually, the deal would remove Hamas from power and convey political control to a multinational entity led by Arab states. The deal also outlines that Gaza would be rebuilt, and further all surrounding Arab countries are advocating for Hamas to accept the deal. This protester, however, stated that they are all wrong. He claimed that Hamas is “a small band of people with sticks fighting against a trillion-dollar war machine.. 

I asked if he’d ever visited the region to witness facts on the ground, to which he responded, “No, I wouldn’t be caught dead over there.” I then advised him that his use of the word “Nazi” was insensitive, hurtful and insulting. He asked how else to refer to a country committing a genocide, and didn’t I agree that there’s an ongoing genocide. I told him that any loss of innocent life is horrible, but that there is no “genocide.” 

He asked again if I would agree there’s a genocide taking place, to which I responded “No”. His next words to me were, “Go f— yourself. I refuse to speak with you. Go f— yourself.” I chose to disengage. Apparently, he did not appreciate my thoughtfulness. As I got into my car he shouted “Happy October 7!” To that, my wife rolled down the window and asked why he was engaging us so aggressively while sitting under a sign that read, “Peace is the answer.” He screamed that he didn’t paint the sign and that he distanced himself from its message.

Jordan Handler 

Southold

Color me sad

Dislike Zohran Mamdani for his politics; that’s fine. (I, for one, hated the politics of Bush, to say nothing of this completely white nationalist administration.) But for being Muslim and inferring a connection with 9/11? Sorry folks: a) Your Islamophobia is showing and b) he was 10 years old. Gee, if I hated Christians because Timothy McVeigh, a devout Christian, bombed the building in Oklahoma City so many people would critique me. 

I thought when we elected Obama, we as a nation were moving forward from hate. I was optimistic that we were starting to embrace MLK’s speech, in which he said: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Boy, was I wrong. I have not forgotten 9/11, or Sandy Hook, Parkland, Las Vegas, etc. They are all actions that continue to shape our nation — and not in a good way.

I have no idea if Mamdani will be a good mayor. I hope so, but he, and all politicians, should be judged on accomplishments and nothing else.

Rosellen Storm

Southold

Hmm…

Um, it’s funny that the tax increase came to light after the election.

Linda Donohue 

The post Letters to the Editor: Thank you appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Schools need mental health programs

As a registered nurse working in mental health, I’ve seen that while adolescent mental health has emerged as a pressing concern nationwide, in Suffolk County, it faces particularly urgent challenges. Local data indicate that suicide is now the second leading cause of death among young people in Suffolk County with rates higher than the state average (county Department of Health Services, 2022). The region continues to report increasing levels of depression, anxiety and substance use among teens, concerns that were intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. As families and schools struggle to keep up, many adolescents remain without timely access to mental health care.

One of the most effective ways to address this crisis is through school-based mental health programs. Schools are uniquely positioned to serve as the front line for prevention and early intervention because they are where adolescents spend most of their time. Universal screening programs can help identify students at risk for depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation before problems worsen. Research shows that such programs not only increase detection but also improve referrals to care (Duong et al., 2021). Expanding in-school counseling services, peer support groups, and staff training can further reduce stigma and normalize help seeking behaviors (Kutcher et al., 2016).

In Suffolk County, disparities exist among school districts, with some offering robust counseling and support services, while others may lack a full-time mental health professional. This inequity leaves many students vulnerable. Policies must ensure that every school in Suffolk County has adequate resources, including licensed counselors, social workers and partnerships with local health systems. The evidence-based programs such as Social Emotional Learning curricula and suicide prevention trainings (e.g., QPR or Teen Mental Health First Aid) should be implemented to provide students and staff with the tools they need to respond effectively.

If Suffolk County is to support the next generation, policymakers, educators and health leaders must act decisively. Investing in school-based interventions will not only potentially save the youth but also help to create a healthier, more resilient community for the future.

Joel Sinanan

Riverhead

Legislator race

No matter what anyone says, both candidates — Greg Doroski and Catherine Stark — are a credit to the East End. But the important messages will always stay in my mind: “Let he who without sin cast the first stone,” and “He who robs me of my good name hurts me more then if the would steal my purse.”

Warren McKnight

Calverton

Trump fiddles while America burns

On the eve of SNAP benefits for Americans with food insecurity (food stamps) expiring, Donald Trump celebrated with a Roaring Twenties gala at his club in Palm Beach. As 40 million of his fellow citizens went hungry (including 20 million children) he and his supporters feasted amid scantily clad dancers in giant martini glasses.

Back home in Washington, D.C., Trump is ripping down a section of the White House, the “people’s house,” to build himself a gilded Marie Antoinette ballroom to which none of us, especially the 40 million losing their SNAP benefits, will ever receive an invitation.

Over the past nine months, the President and his family have increased their wealth by billions while we are paying higher taxes in the form of illegal tariffs. And has our representative, Nick LaLota, stood up to protest on our behalf? No, instead he’s taken a six week paid vacation and supports everything that Trump does without question. It’s time the citizens of CD1 sent Congressman LaLota on a permanent vacation — unpaid this time.

Jerry Silverstein

Mattituck

Thank you

The Board of Trustees at the Mattituck Laurel Historical Society and Museum wishes to extend our sincere thanks to local residents for passing the proposition that provides the organization with financial stability and enables us to expand our programs, making local history more accessible. We can also now address the proper maintenance of our buildings and artifacts.

To participate in the 250th anniversary next year, we will have a lecture series about the founding fathers as well as a series about past local artists. All of our lectures are free. We will also be working with other local historical societies to provide events and activities to commemorate the birth of our country.

Charles Gueli

president

Greenport

Wetland rules changes overreach

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed local law that would restrict construction of docks on certain specified bodies of water and swimming pools near designated wetlands areas in the Town of Southold. While I understand and support the goal of protecting our natural resources, this proposal overreaches in a way that unfairly impacts certain waterfront property owners and undermines responsible land use.

Many residents, including myself, have invested in our homes with the understanding that reasonable and balanced environmental regulations would guide development. The proposed setback requirements on swimming pools go far beyond what is necessary to preserve wetlands, effectively limiting the enjoyment and improvement of private property without clear scientific justification or demonstrated local need. 

Moreover, docks and pools when properly designed can coexist with environmental protections. The town already has robust regulations as well as state wetlands regulations in place. Adding another restrictive layer serves only to confuse homeowners, complicate compliance and devalue properties that have long met environmental standards.

I urge the Southold Town Board to reconsider this proposal and engage residents, engineers, and environmental experts to develop a fairer, evidence-based approach. Protecting our environment and respecting homeowner rights are not mutually exclusive goals, and any new law should reflect that balance.

Victor Rerisi

Cutchogue

Scalloping sucks!

Southold might consider banning scallop dredges and limit harvest to snorkle, dip net or diving. At some point, the town has to realized these dredges effectively plow under the bay bottom ecosystem, a critical component for a healthy esturarine environment. Hard to say what it will mean for near term scallop populations, but it’s certain to boost overall biodiversity and that’s going to have widespread benefits for all native species. I used to dive for scallops in the 1980s and ’90s. The difference between dredged areas and those that were too rocky was night and day.

Tim Wacker

Cutchogue

Filibuster or not?

The “nuclear option” entered our political jargon and reality under Democratic Senate control. Senator Harry Reid brought it to life for specific confirmations in 2013.

It wasn’t until 1917 that two-thirds of the Senate was necessary to end debate and then to vote on a Bill. Before that it was possible for just one senator to stall ending debate. 

So, in order to overcome this obstacle (cloture), the Democrats (1917) created the process to end debate and vote on legislation. Now, the filibuster is used in the exact opposite way from the reason it was created. 

In 1975 the Senate rule was changed to 3/5 or 60 votes to force ending debate and then vote. So, the filibuster was created to stop a small group of senators or even one senator from stopping debate so a vote can be accomplished by the majority opinion.

It seems to me when the majority can change the rules that the rule should be changed just as when the filibuster was created. The government can then move forward to serve as intended.

Many rules can be manipulated for advantage but when a rule stalls the extension of government to the detriment of those the government serves the rule becomes obsolete and should be abandoned. 

Bob Bittner

The post Letters to the Editor: Schools need mental health programs appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Thanks

Re “This traveling medical team offers access to health care (Oct.23): We read the humbling article, and we were very pleased with how we were represented, as well as the empathy we received from all of you guys. We both know you guys all care about the people that you try and help. We thank you.

John Santomauro and Natasha Rodriguez 

Riverhead

Time to vote

I’m Mark Woolley, your hometown candidate for Riverhead Town Board. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, when you will vote at your normal polling station.

My name is located on Row E, Taxpayers First, and on Row A, Democrat Party. This allows registered voters of all political affiliations to cast their vote for an Independent voice who, like you, believes our community deserves better than what my opponents have served up over the past four years.

They’ve voted for high taxes amounting to a 23% increase over their four years in office, increased fees, increased salaries and produced overdevelopment — all the while turning a deaf ear to us. I do listen and that’s why I’m committing 30 years of public service to my Contract with Riverhead, which you can find on my website: votemarkwoolley.com. 

We can no longer afford more of the same from my opponents. And, it’s time we say no to developers involved in Ponzi schemes who destroy the heritage of our town, and endless costly lawsuits that bankrupt our reserves. 

Riverhead is not for sale — and that’s why I’m already working for you. 

Like you, I proudly support our police, fire and EMS first responders, and as a member of an Air Force family, especially our veterans. I’ll match my public service record against my opponents’ failed leadership, collectively, any day of the week. It’s time to put taxpayers first by giving you what you deserve: real public service, not lip service. We need real change. We’re being taxed out of our homes. 

I ask for and would be honored to have your vote. Thank you. God bless you and God bless America.  

Mark Woolley 

Mr. Woolley is running for a Town Board seat on the Democratic and Taxpayers First lines. 

Riverhead

The survival of democracy

I was shocked to read the anemic response to our nation’s numerous, urgent problems by my House representative, Mr. LaLota. I call his office often to question his continual betrayal of the values and needs of this country. I appeal to him, as a fellow Hofstra alum, to remember the wisdom imparted there, especially the history and law departments, when he votes against everything we were taught there — especially the 1930 period in Germany and the steps that are now clearly being repeated right here.

Education budgets reduced, lessening of free speech in all areas, climate change being dismissed, women’s rights being abridged, armed troops in major cities searching for undocumented human beings doing nothing criminal (especially if they are not lily white). 

My Irish forefathers were dismissed as monkeys. Surely his genealogy would not be seen on a list of Mayflower arrivals. To watch the hatred toward the hardworking immigrants is to imagine what our relatives were subjected to at their arrival.

But as a retired history teacher, with daughters, nieces, gay and LGBTQ+ friends, he is silent. Recently, I have called to remind him that he has three daughters, yet he has never spoken of releasing the Epstein files, protecting a pedophile and a president who is preventing their appearance. As time goes by, his daughters and other Republican daughters will be old enough to ask why. 

I keep waiting for him and his compatriots to stand up to an unhinged and dangerous despot. Do the honorable thing and implore your political representatives to get a conscience and renounce an emperor with no clothes! Or maybe I have watched “Casablanca” too many times and hope that enough time has gone by for patriotic decisions to rise again, no matter the consequences. 

Elizabeth Weiss

Laurel

Closer to the cliff

It’s budget season for towns in New York State and, in Southold Town, there’s good news and bad news.

First, the good news: The 2026 budget that the supervisor proposed and the Town Board tweaked calls for a property tax hike of 2.94%, which is less than the state’s tax cap for Southold in 2026. 

The bad news: Once again, the town is proposing to spend more money than it takes in next year. It’s relying on an infusion of $5,050,000 in reserve funds to make ends meet next year. This is especially dangerous since, according to budget projections, the town will overspend its allocation of reserve funds for 2025 by 9.8%. Fortunately, the town has significant reserves, but if the annual practice of using them to pay for operating expenses continues, those funds will run out. Had they not been available to mitigate the tax levy increase next year, taxes would have to rise by 14% as opposed to just under 3%. Those are career-ending numbers for the public officials who impose them.

The proposed 2026 tax increase comes on the heels of the 2025 cap-piercing Southold tax hike of 7.48% that would have been 20% had the administration not spent down previous balances to an even greater extent than next year’s budget does. Town revenues, including the 7.48% hike in taxes under the ’25 budget, were forecast to be short of expenses by $5,095,000. None of these facts has been previously reported.

 As I wrote last year, “by relying annually on money raised in previous years to pay future town expenses, the Town Board puts Southold on a fiscal cliff.” The 2026 budget proposal moves us closer to the edge.

David Levy 

Calverton

Piercing the state cap

The past two years, you, the Riverhead Town Council, have has passed budgets that pierce the state cap. The reasons given for such a higher amount seem to be the same both years. They are typical expenses that should be planned for in any budget year. Wage increases, medical benefits, pensions and such are normal cost of running a township. If there is a shortage in any year, then a one-time cap pierce would be expected. To do it two years in a row would seem to show poor management and short-sighted planning by the council. 

To the average town residents, we should expect the same raise every year. Since the present council is made up of members from previous years, especially Supervisor Hubbard, blaming an earlier administration is putting the blame on yourself. Most of the major accomplishments we have seen began under the earlier administration.

Times have been especially tough for everyone, but we do not have the your luxury to pass our shortfalls on to others. The town needs to manage finances to ensure that our budget will meet the community needs and provide a sound base for the following years.

This seems to be something you have shown us you are incapable of accomplishing. To elect someone else wouldn’t hurt.

Paul Spina Jr. 

Aquebogue

Transparency trouble

I am writing to express my growing unease with the lack of transparency in recent decisions made by our Town Board. I publicly informed citizens on several platforms about the Town Square. I asked them to write to the town clerk by Aug. 1 if they opposed the building of a Miami-style five-story hotel/condo. At the Aug. 5 board meeting, Mr. Wooten stated that he received some letters and would present them in the future. Another resident stated he had the results of his online public poll regarding the square. No board member requested to hear them, so he didn’t present. That evening, the board unanimously approved Mr. Petrocelli to build the Town Square.

On Oct.16, Tim Hubbard defended piercing the state’s 2% property tax cap, calling it “antiquated.” He has proposed a 7.92% tax hike.

On Oct. 21, the Town Board voted unanimously to authorize demolition of 127 East Main St., which was not on the agenda, and has received numerous complaints of this being a “surprise move” that benefits Petrocelli. 

When decisions are made behind closed doors or rushed through without meaningful dialogue, it erodes the democratic process and leaves residents feeling excluded from shaping the future of our town. 

Kevin Shea is running for Town Council and gave out aster seeds so that yards with blue asters would represent their support for him. Kudos for his forward thinking.

I encourage the community to take advantage of the right to vote. In a non-presidential election year, there is a drop of almost 50% in voting in community elections.

Gina Ristau 

Laurel

Scary, but still hopeful

The late Sen. John McCain said, “Americans never hide from history. We make history.” For the recent No Kings rally I used that quote on my sign. As we witness history in our museums, textbooks, national parks, and our White House being violated, it sounds like Mr. McCain saw into the future.

McCain had earned a Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, and the Prisoner-of-War medal. And for objecting to Trump’s policies and blocking his effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act, McCain also earned Trump’s wrath. Trump never stopped showing his disdain for this war hero, even while the senator was battling brain cancer.

In 2017, after touring the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Trump praised the Smithsonian saying it was “incredible.” But that was before Project 2025. Months ago, he said it was “out of control” and would be undergoing a review by the White House. He’s been irritated by the dark parts of America’s history on display, including slavery. Quite different from “Americans never hide from history.” 

Russell Vought, an author of Project 2025 and a Christian nationalist, is in the background but he’s in charge now. The word Christian in the name does not mean it’s like the loving, compassionate teachings of Jesus.

The No Kings rally was uplifting. Trump’s video response to it was vulgar. The silence from most Republicans is hard to interpret. Perhaps they’re feeling warned: Inch away from the flock, risk being pooped on. If Democrats win these elections, maybe it’ll signal our democracy has a chance. 

Mary Ellen Tomaszewski

Southold

Thank you, EMS

I am writing to thank our emergency services here in Southold. Last Sunday — four days before my daughter’s wedding! — I suffered a bit of a medical emergency. It’s called vasovagal; you can look it up. Basically, you faint, blood pressure goes way down, pulse slows. It’s scary. Especially when you don’t know what it is. Fortunately, it resolves, and there are no long-term effects.

When it happened, my wife called 911 and in no time, a small army of first responders was here attending to me with competence and care, and getting me to ELIH for a short stay there.

Thank you first responders, we are super grateful to you!

P.S. I’ll note that during their visit, neither they nor I found it necessary to discuss politics or make sure we were on the same team. Yay for that.

Perry Schaffer 

Southold

For your consideration

I’m Terri Boyle Romanelli, running for Southold Town Trustee to bring efficiency, transparency, and accountability to our government.

As a lifelong resident, waterfront homeowner, and former local teacher, I know our waterways and the challenges residents face with town regulations. My professional experience in real estate and technology, including streamlining complex business processes, gives me the unique skillset to modernize the Trustee office. I have a strong record of environmental stewardship, having served on the boards of the North Fork Environmental Council and Long Island Farm Bureau.

​If elected, I will focus on:

• making the Trustee website clear and resident-friendly.
• ​advocating for Zoom access to meetings to boost public participation.
• ​improving efficiency and transparency with prompt responses and careful application tracking.
• educating residents on Trustee responsibilities and coastal protection regulations.

​I offer a fresh, solution-oriented perspective for a modern and accessible local government. Please vote for Terri Boyle Romanelli for Southold Town Trustee on Nov. 4.

Terri Boyle Romanelli

Ms. Boyle Romanelli is running for Town Trustee on the Republican and Conservative lines.

Southold

My perspective

For more than 30 years I have worked in and around Southold Town Hall. I have seen what it takes to move a good idea from a meeting agenda to a result you can see. Progress depends on capable partners who know how local government works and are willing to roll up their sleeves. That is why I am urging Southold voters to elect Nick Planamento and Chris Talbot to the Town Board and Stephanie Hall as Fishers Island Justice.

Nick brings deep knowledge of zoning, site plan review and the Zoning Board of Appeals. That experience matters when we are addressing housing that fits Southold, improving cell service, protecting water quality, and updating codes with clarity and fairness. He knows the process and how to navigate it so residents get timely, transparent decisions.

Chris has already served with distinction on the Town Board. He is a longtime employee of the Village of Southampton as senior building and zoning official and also oversees enforcement and the fire marshal’s office, while continuing decades of leadership in the Cutchogue Fire Department. He understands permitting, enforcement, public safety and the practical realities of budgeting and infrastructure. When an issue touches you, you want someone who has been in the field as well as at the dais.

Southold is at a pivotal point with the proposed zoning update. We need Chris and Nick’s expertise in all aspects of zoning to keep the characteristic of our town that we all love.

On Fishers Island, we need a steady, respected voice in the courtroom and in the community. Stephanie Hall will provide exactly that. She will carry forward the high standard set by Louisa Evans, ensuring fair, even-handed justice and strong communication with Town Hall.

Please join me in voting for Nick Planamento and Chris Talbot for Town Board and Stephanie Hall for Fishers Island Justice. Southold deserves a team that is ready on day one. 

Jill Doherty

Ms. Doherty is a member of the Southold Town Board.

Mattituck

Greenport’s traffic circle

There is a lot of complaining and talking about the traffic circle being constructed in Greenport. Yes, of course, the sooner it is finished the better — but the real problem is that people do not realize the simple traffic circle rules! I also witness many drivers not knowing what to do at the Riverhead circles — especially the one that connects CR 24, CR 194, etc.

So, drum roll please! First: Slow down when coming to circle. Second: Yield to all cars already in the circle! When all cars follow this simple rule, there is a nice flow to traffic. Basically it’s not a race, but more of a car dance.

My suggestion is for Southold Town officials to address these 101 traffic rules on some kind of very public forum. Riverhead Town would be wise to review this as well.

So REMEMBER to YIELD to all cars already in the circle — and proceed with caution when it’s your turn.

Happy fall to all and here’s hoping one day soon we get to enjoy it without leaf blowers blowing our peace of minds to smithereens!

Amy Greenberg 

Mattituck

Finding a balance

Your article on the Southold election forum positions the proposal by Strong’s Marine to dig out the bluff over the Mattituck Inlet to provide yacht storage as a “key topic.” The issue is not how long the process has taken but how our community balances economic development with environmental destruction.

In this case, the proposal threatens surface and groundwater quality and destroys wildlife habitat, increases traffic and public safety issues, and will have significant impact on the quality of life of everyone who uses our coastal resources.

As your article states, the process has taken several years. It’s not because of bureaucracy or anti-development sentiment. It’s because the proposal is so egregious that it set off a State Environmental Quality Review Act mandated environmental impact statement, a legal process that the Southold Town Planning Board is following to the letter.

Throughout that process, Southold has collected over a thousand pages of community comments, the vast majority of which oppose the project, and the developer has been slow in responding to Planning Board requests for more information, often taking months and in at least two occasions taking a full year.

The original plan called for two roughly 50,000-square-foot buildings and the removal of 135,000 cubic yards of sand and 634 trees. The Final Environmental Impact Statement condemned the project for its overwhelming environmental and community impact.

Last year’s amended proposal was for one 65,100-square-foot building. The current proposal reduces the building size to 63,310 square feet and increases the amount of sand being removed and the number of trees being cut down from the previous proposal.

Despite the changes, the latest proposal doesn’t mitigate the environmental, coastal resilience, quality of life or safety issues raised by the community. It is being reviewed by the Planning Board, as required by SEQRA.

We agree that finding a balance between economic development and preservation is a key issue. This project is not an example of inefficiency. Rather, it is a model of the town following the law to protect the environment, our coastal resilience and our community’s character. 

Jeff Pundyk and Anne Sherwood Pundyk

Mattituck

‘Cringeworthy’ 

Projection is a defense mechanism whereby an individual attributes unacceptable feelings and behavior patterns to others instead of confronting them internally. It’s one of the hallmarks of the president’s personality. The abuse that the he routinely directs at other people, calling them scum, slobs, losers, dogs, etc., or accusing them of theft, fraud and corruption, all such attacks are clearly self-referential. You don’t need an advanced degree in psychology to see that in each case he’s really talking about himself.

This syndrome achieved a kind of apotheosis last week when the president posted a video of himself in a fighter jet, wearing a gold crown, spraying excrement over the demonstrators at the “No Kings” rally. Except to leave them shaking their heads in astonishment at his unsurpassed vulgarity, the video had no impact on the protesters. Like a baby in his diaper, the only one befouled by the president’s video, was of course, himself.

Not one to rest on his laurels or to break his streak of daily outrages, last week the president also tore down the East Wing of the White House. A clearer symbol of the havoc he has wrought upon the presidency would be hard to imagine. 

Cringeworthy as it may be, the president’s video has one notable virtue. It suggests a possible means for terminating his dismal administration, and one that might well gratify his deepest urges: Excrete him from the body politic.

Dave Warren 

Cutchogue

Be a hero

The photos of the demolition of the East Wing of the White House offer a troubling visual parallel to what President Trump is doing to democracy and to our American heritage. Representative LaLota likes to remind us of his military service, and I commend him for that service. However, I can’t but help to view his refusal to stand up to Speaker Johnson, the Republican Party or Trump to defend our Constitution as an act of cowardice. It’s beyond my understanding why Mr. LaLota would vote for a budget bill that cuts VA benefits, particularly mental and physical health benefits.

Mr. LaLota, you can be a real hero by being the last signature on the discharge petition to demand the full release of the Epstein files, to demand accountability for the perpetrators, whoever they are. That would remove Speaker Johnson’s justification for the House recess (blocking the petition) and get the House back in session to work out a compromise with the Senate Democrats to end the government shutdown.

P.S. Thanks for the property tax reduction on our federal income taxes. But you can keep it if it means my neighbors have to go without health care, SNAP food assistance or due process protection from illegal deportation.

Barbara Farr 

The post Letters to the Editor: Thanks appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Just say no

We must stand up to the Riverhead Town Board and say “no” to piercing the cap on a tax increase for 2026.

The current Town Board, under the leadership of Tim Hubbard, has not been looking out for the residents. Every single year, we hear the same cry. We need to increase the industrial and business district to help hold down taxes. Every year, we see building after building being erected, we see vacant land and farmland being taken to construct businesses, warehouses and homes. Yet, instead of tax decreases or even stable taxes, we get a tax increase — and not the expected 2% but a projected 8%. 

A car wash is coming to 58 and Pulaski, Chick-Fil-A is under construction on Mill. A warehouse will soon be built on 25A near Tractor Supply, along with construction on the opposite side of the street. A Box Pickleball facility opened where KMart once was. 

Yet again, for the second straight year under Mr. Hubbard’s leadership, we are getting a tax increase nearing double digits. It is time to stand up and say “no” on Nov. 4. It is time to tell the IDA to stop giving so many tax breaks. We need to seriously look at all the candidates running this year and vote to make a change.

Paul Spina Jr. 

Rio Rancho, N.M.

Add him to the list

I believe that my brother, Matteo Cucchiara, should be a candidate for inclusion in the Riverhead High School Hall of Fame. He set records in the mile in the early sixties, was the first person to run from the Riverhead circle to Montauk Point, and received a full scholarship to Fordham University. He eventually was inducted into the Fordham Hall of Fame for his athletic accomplishments in track, including participating on a world’s record four-man relay team. 

Matteo Cucchiara was also an accomplished Riverhead High wrestler and eventually coached the Haitian Olympic track team upon graduating from Fordham in geological studies. There are many other track titles Matteo had held throughout his competitive running years, and I believe he is one of Riverhead’s finest athletes of the last 70 years.

Alfred Cucchiara 

Riverhead

No Kings 2.0

Thank you to the officers in blue for making the Oct. 18, 2025, rally at the Riverhead County Center secure. Much appreciated were the four police departments represented: Southampton Police Department, NY State Troopers, Riverhead Police Department and Sheriff’s Department. The overhead cameras were an added security bonus for those in attendance. I look forward to working with “The Blue” for future events.

Nathalie Marie Alenski 

Ms. Alenski was an organizer of the Riverhead rally.

Riverhead

Who hates America?

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson tried to portray the No Kings protests on Oct. 18 as “Hate America” rallies. He refuses to seat Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva of Arizona to prevent her from adding the 218th signature on the discharge petition that would force a vote on the release of the Epstein files. Polls show that over three-quarters of Americans want these files released.

Johnson refuses to convene the House until Democrats agree to the spending bill that does not include an extension of the tax credits that lowers health care premiums on the Affordable Care Act markets. Polls show that 78% of Americans support the Democrats’ demand to include the extension. The president’s social media account posted an AI-generated video that showed President Trump in a fighter jet that dropped excrement on American cities.

Who hates America? The persons who peacefully protest to uphold the rule of law? Or those who do not want to allow elected representatives to serve, those who want to protect the friends of pedophiles, and do not want Americans to have affordable health care? Or those who portray themselves dumping s**t on Americans

David Jaffe 

Wading River

‘Uplifting experience’

Attending the No Kings Rally in Wading River on Saturday, the first of its kind in our community, I believe, was an uplifting experience for my wife and me. Some 250 participants, by our count, lined both sides of Route 25A in front of North Shore United Methodist Church and demonstrated peacefully. Not a bad turnout considering the relatively small size of the Wading River and Shoreham communities. Many passing cars honked their horns and waved to show their support for No Kings. A few dissenting drivers saluted our group with their raised middle finger. How classy.

“[President] Trump said ahead of the rallies that he thought ‘very few people’ would attend them,” according to the Washington Post. Wrong, Mr. President. Seven million people are estimated to have protested nationwide. House Speaker Mike Johnson said that the No Kings protests were “hate America rallies,” according to Newsday. At the Wading River rally, many American flags were being waved by our patriotic neighbors who cherish the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution. So you’re wrong, Mr. Speaker. We love America and want to preserve it.

One placard displayed at the rally best sums up its goal: “Protests scare dictatorships, not democracies.”

Martin Skrocki 

New Suffolk

Election signs

Signs, signs, everywhere signs, blocking out the scenery, ruining my ride.

This is the most scenic, colorful season for us locals. Whether driving to work or on a Sunday drive now that traffic has eased, those political signs look like windblown papers scattered off someone’s garbage on the way to the dump. And on town property no less. Where does this non-recyclable plastic and metal go when the election is over? To the landfill.

Most of the candidates claim that they are “environmentally concerned.” Well, maybe next time they can practice what they preach and end this decades-long habit of littering the sides of our well-kept and clean highways.

Barbara Solo 

Southold

Here’s to the heroes

At 4:30 a.m. on Oct. 13, Southold Town Police received and responded to a 911 call about a possible fire at San Simeon by the Sound Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation. Greenport Fire Department also responded, immediately and professionally. They are incredible in their commitment to our community. Like our other fire departments, they are volunteers. They spend countless hours not only responding to our residents in distress, but in training, so that they know how to handle every situation. They make a difference every time that they respond. 

Smoke was confirmed in the west wing, resulting in a partial evacuation — a well-coordinated effort involving town police, multiple local fire departments, Suffolk County Fire and Rescue, and community partners Peconic Landing and Sunrise Bus Co. I am grateful to them for their timely and compassionate response. 

The Southold Town Fire Marshal and fire marshals from Suffolk County inspected the facility and ordered a full evacuation. Residents were transported to alternate care facilities by volunteer ambulance services, Sunrise Bus Co., Suffolk County Transit, TLC Bus Co., the Southold Town Human Resource Center and others. 

Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services and town police remained on the scene until approximately 11 p.m.

The Southold Town building department and fire marshal will work with San Simeon as they move forward. 

The Southold Town Board would like to express our gratitude to all involved in a very difficult situation. In addition to town police and Greenport firefighters, responding agencies included the East Marion, Southold, Cutchogue and Mattituck fire departments; Shelter Island, Riverhead and Flanders Northampton ambulance companies; Suffolk County FRES; and NYSD EMS. 

This highlights what a special community that we have; so many people pitched in to help. They had training that they used, and were able to communicate effectively across many levels of government.

Special thanks to Rudy Sunderman, commissioner of Suffolk County FRES, who was on site helping everyone.

And, of course, special thanks to Chief Grattan and his team, who were there early coordinating with every agency, and were there late ensuring that all residents were safely evacuated. 

Al Krupski

Cutchogue

Ready for another term

When I successfully ran for office in 2021, I campaigned on building a highway department that proactively prevented problems and maintained our 402 lane miles of town roadway. I recognized the need for a leader who answered your calls and was willing to put in the work. Over the last four years, I have done exactly that and more.

During my tenure, I have paved 45 lane miles of road, replaced two miles of sidewalk, installed 150 drainage systems, removed 40 stormwater outfalls and clearance trimmed over 50% of our road network — in addition to all routine maintenance responsibilities. I have held utility companies accountable for their fair share, collecting over $900,000 in permit fees and restoration funding.

I have successfully advocated locally and in Albany to increase our road resurfacing budget — vital funding needed to keep up with inflationary construction costs and the needs of our residents and first responders, who depend on a reliable, safe road system for business, pleasure and our way of life.

For the first time in history, I developed a long-term capital plan for the department using sensible fiscal budgeting to replace and upgrade our equipment fleet and solve legacy infrastructure problems. My capital plan ensures we have the resources to address these needs in a sustainable, tax-neutral way and has received unanimous bipartisan support each year.

I understand this job is about listening and showing up when a resident has a question, a tree uproots in the dead of night, a record-breaking blizzard hits or a rare tornado touches down. I will continue to be there, answer your calls and work for every neighborhood in Southold, not just the ones that make the most noise.

I will continue to plan the work and work the plan with competence, transparency and results you can see, drive and walk on. 

I respectfully ask for your support of my reelection as your superintendent of highways.

Dan Goodwin 

Southold

Running for reelection

My name is Eileen Powers. I have been your Southold Town Justice for nearly eight years and I am running for reelection. 

I’ve been an attorney for 33 years. I started my legal career as a prosecutor in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, where I served for the better part of 10 years. During that time, we never talked about, nor did we care, who was a Democrat and who was a Republican. In my first office meeting there, we were told that we were prosecutors, not persecutors, and that being a prosecutor was not just a job but a responsibility. We were taught that our mission was to always do the right thing, the right way, for the right reason.

Sadly, today, that philosophy appears to be in jeopardy. I think it’s important for voters to know that I still believe in and live by that philosophy.

Anyone who has spent time in my courtroom knows that everyone in my court is treated fairly — regardless of who you are, who you know, where you were born or what political party you belong to. There is only one set of laws and they apply to everyone. That’s the rule of law. The rule of law is the basis, and the single most important tenet, of American jurisprudence. It’s what sets the American system of justice above all others. I believe in and will always stand up for the rule of law. 

May I please have your vote on Nov. 4? 

Eileen Powers 

Fishers Island

Kate’s great

Dear Southolders: Kate Stevens is an excellent candidate for the Southold Town Board/Justice position. Kate’s collaborative process of seeking out and including opposing views, then maintaining these stakeholder relationships while bringing projects to resolution, is her secret sauce.

It has been inspiring to work closely with Kate for the past five years. Kate applied her inclusive approach to a goal that had been eluding us for decades. Kate successfully coordinated the effort to create arguably the most spectacular public trail on Fishers Island by forging partnerships with our Waste Management and Ferry Districts, the Museum, the Conservancy and private landowners. Kate roots her agenda in constituent needs and interests. She seeks out and actively listens to differing points of view, does the research, brings people together and then tightly focuses on agreed-upon goals to bring projects to fruition.

Kate has honed her community building and project management skills through active listening, thorough preparation and determined follow-through. If you elect Kate on Nov. 4, you will find out what we already know: Her collaborative process works.

Sarah and Steve Malinowski 

Southold

Reelect our clerk

I heartily concur with former supervisor Scott Russell that we should vote for the reelection of Denis Noncarrow as town clerk. He is an asset to Southold Town and works for the people. As a senior citizen, I’ve already cast my ballot for him; even crossed party lines. 

We’re lucky to have him in our midst. I’m still amazed that he answers his own phone!

Elaine Goldsmith 

Southold

A big, peaceful gathering

On Saturday, my wife and I participated in the No Kings Rally in Riverhead. It was entirely peaceful and the large majority of the cars passing by honked in affirmation of our presence. There was a good mix of senior citizens like us as well as young people. There were lots of creative signs (mostly homemade) and all were in good taste. I didn’t see any signs that crossed the line.

The major news outlets reported that about 2,600 rallies took place all across the country with nearly 7 million people participating. Yet, Donald Trump grossly posted an AI-generated video in which he is wearing a crown, flies a fighter jet and dumps feces on the No Kings rally attendees. Apart from being juvenile, it is disgusting and disgraceful. 

Mike Johnson claims it was a Hate America rally. I was there, and I don’t hate America, and the people there didn’t either. Today, I saw Trump on the news saying it was a very small rally and the people who attended didn’t represent America. He said they were extremists and that we were being paid by George Soros.

Again, I was there and we were not paid. We talked with the people — parents, grandparents, young people.   We all want a return to normalcy and we see our Democracy slipping away. 

The news clips of masked ICE agents and military in our cities violently arresting people, even children, is frightening. It reminds me of Nazi Germany in its early stages. My wife and I worry about what kind of country our grandchildren are inheriting. We find it mind boggling that the Republican leadership in Congress hasn’t reined in Trump’s continual departure from our country’s norms and from our past bastion as the world’s beacon of freedom. 

I am hopeful that the midterm elections will result in a major check on Trump and his Republican enablers. Every vote and every elected official counts, including local officials. Show up and vote; our future and our democracy depends on you! 

Dick Sheehan

Mattituck

The two sides of Donald Trump

No one would, or could, diminish the joy, the beauty and the love that the whole world saw when the Israeli hostages were released and the ceasefire was declared.

By all accounts, President Trump’s deal-making, and likely his personal ambition, contributed to the success of the endeavor. So perhaps it was fitting that he took a victory lap to cheers, applause and adulation in Jerusalem and Egypt.

But let’s be clear. The man being adored and hailed as a peacemaker in the Middle East is the same man who bullies the citizens of his own country with policies of revenge, racism, misogyny and divisiveness.

Let the Middle East hail him. Let him bask in his substitute Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. Americans know better.

We must never stop reminding the world and each other of who this man really is and fight every day to preserve our democracy. The “No Kings” marches made this clear.

Betsy Frank 

The post Letters to the Editor: Just say no appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Why turnout is declining

Who should the we vote for this year ? Should we vote for the person with the most lawn signs  or the person with the least signs? Should we vote for the candidate with no traffic violation or the least? How many of us voters know anything about the candidates who are asking for our vote? 

I suggest that the next town person or persons who want me to vote for them in the year 2027 start campaigning in June 2026. And that each of the potential candidates send a message about themselves in person or via the media with substance every so often. How can any of us vote intelligently when these politicians start trick or treating a month before Election Day? Maybe then more voters will vote intelligently in the next election.

Warren McKnight

Calverton

Mr. LaLota, do your job

So why did Congressman Nick LaLota, who should be in Washington doing his job, instead slink back home to Amityville? He is essentially on a paid vacation while millions of servicemen, air traffic controllers and TSA officials are working without pay. The answer is twofold.

First, he and Majority Leader Mike Johnson wanted to make it impossible to negotiate on the GOP health care crisis created by their “Big Beautiful Bill.” Notices of jacked up insurance rates are already being sent out to thousands of Long Islanders and millions country-wide.

Secondly, Mike and Nick don’t want the House to be in session because then Mike Johnson will be required to swear in a duly elected new Democratic member of the House. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona, when sworn in, will be the 218th and final member to sign the discharge petition to force the Justice Department to release the Epstein files.

Donald Trump, and therefore Mike and Nick, are desperate to keep from exposing Trump’s connection to a notorious pedophile who famously said he was Donald Trump’s best friend for 10 years.

Congressman LaLota: Go back to Washington so that you and Mike can do your jobs! Stop protecting pedophiles and start protecting health care.

Jerry Silverstein

Wading River

LaLota is wrong

Rep. Nick Lakota’s response in last week’s paper to a letter from a previous reader was civil and along the lines of, “Let’s agree to disagree.” But his statement that he is not “bending the knee” to anyone, meaning Donald Trump, is disingenuous and worrisome, at the very least. He has bragged several times that he is an ardent supporter of the current president, who has been the agent of chaos in America.

If the congressman is not toeing the Trump/Republican line, then he must truly believe that it is proper to weaponize the U.S. Department of Justice, as we’ve seen in the reckless indictments against James Comey and Letitia James; that it is proper to ignore the rule of law by ordering National Guard troops into Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Chicago on the weakest of premises; that it is proper to wreak havoc and fear on immigrant families who are not terrible criminals, but who rather tend toward being law-abiding and hard working people who contribute to the nation’s economy; that it is proper to dismantle the federal government in ways that defy logic and best practices, only to hire back many of the fired employees when it becomes obvious that they are indeed needed.

If Rep. LaLota really believes that these are good policies that somehow make our democracy strong, then I suggest that the voters of the 1st Congressional District need to send the message in the 2026 election that Congressman LaLota is wrong.

Martin Skrocki 

Riverhead

Critical questions

Tonight, Thursday, Riverhead residents will finally have a chance to compare candidates for supervisor and the Town Board at 7 p.m. at Riley Avenue Elementary School in Calverton. 

It is hard not to conclude that incumbents Tim Hubbard, Bob Kern and Ken Rothwell made a tactical choice to boycott previous candidate forums at the Jamesport Meeting House and Riverhead Free Library to minimize exposure to criticism from their challengers, Messrs. Halpin, Shea and Woolley.

With limited time, it will be hard for the Calverton and Wading River Civic Associations to make the contrasting choices clear for voters.

The basic question I’d ask is: Do the incumbents still support and do the challengers offer alternatives to these controversial decisions?

1. Demolition of Craft’d tavern and diversion of public land so a political donor can build a private five-story hotel and condominium. If the incumbents lose, will they pledge to freeze destruction and construction in the Town Square park and will their successors seek real community input about preferred use of the space?
2. Allowing HK Ventures to build a mega storage facility in Calverton, an environmental assault by a principal who allegedly seeks investment opportunities for the Russian Mafia, as the News-Review reported five years ago.
3. Advocacy for the once and likely future agritourism resort north of Sound Avenue.
4. Permission for another political donor, Scott’s Pointe, to keep expansions that violated town permits with a relatively light financial penalty.
5. Allowing Patriot Recycling, represented by a politically well-connected attorney, to dump noxious wastes until neighbors complained loudly and repeatedly.
6. Inability to resolve legal issues blocking use of EPCAL because of credible accusations that the incumbents and the Ghermezians had a behind-the-scenes deal to fool the public with an IDA charade. Failure to use two years of legal limbo to seriously explore alternative environmentally responsible development concepts.

John McAuliff 

Southwold, England

Tribute to Peggy Murphy

In 1992, I answered a call from the late mayor of Southwold, Rosalind McDermott, to help entertain visitors to our town from the daughter town, Southold, N.Y.

One such lady gave me an invitation to visit Southold, her name was Winifred Billard. Before my second visit, Winnie was rushed into hospital, but Peggy Murphy and her husband, Jim, offered me accommodation — thus began a long, loving friendship.

I borrowed Peggy’s bicycle to explore Southold, collecting twigs for an art and craft project she was working on with children. Among the many sites of interest I found Reydon Shores, Reydon Drive and Founders Landing.

The town laid on a welcoming tea and I was given a slot on the local television.

The highlight of one of my visits was giving a slide lecture to the entire high school on the comparisons between the two towns. I might add it was a nerve-wracking experience but very worthwhile.

When Peggy and Jim came to England for a holiday, they came to stay at Tudorland, my house, for a long weekend.

Over our many years of friendship I have mailed the Southwold Gazette, a local community newspaper, every month to Peggy, which she would read from cover to cover before passing it on to the library —thus keeping alive the link between the two towns.

I shall miss her telephone calls, but she has left me with some wonderful memories. May she rest in peace.

Ruth Chapman

Southold

Meet the candidate

My name is Nicholas Planamento, and I’m running for a seat on the Southold Town Board this November.

Many of you may have known me from years ago, at my shop on Love Lane and where I worked to bring attention to this community asset and meeting point, which I call the Heart of the North Fork. Others may recognize me walking my golden retrievers or out on the bay sailing. As a real estate professional, I’ve also helped many local families make some of life’s most important decisions.

But my commitment to Southold goes far beyond business. For over 20 years, I’ve served on many town committees, including the Architectural Review Committee, the Hamlet Stakeholders Committee, the Board of Assessment Review, and the Southold 375th Anniversary Committee. I’ve also proudly represented Southold on the Suffolk County Planning Commission.

Most recently, I’ve spent nearly a decade as vice chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, where I’ve built strong working relationships across departments and with residents while upholding our Town Code.

I’m proud to be endorsed by the CSEA of the Town of Southold and the Suffolk County PBA. I thank both organizations for their trust and support.

Southold is at a crossroads. We face real challenges, from loss of experienced personnel and zoning reform to environmental issues, water quality and quantity, and the pressing need for attainable housing. Now more than ever, we need experienced, collaborative leadership that understands how Town Hall works and how to make it work better for all of us.

I believe my experience, education, and deep community ties make me well-prepared to serve. If elected, I will work hard for all Southold residents, longtime locals and new neighbors alike, with transparency, respect, and commitment. I humbly ask you to vote for me on Nov. 4.

Nicholas Planamento

Mr. Planamento is running for a seat on the Southold Town Board on the Republican and Conservative lines.

Cutchogue

Why I’m seeking office

As a lifelong Southold resident, I am proud to share my journey. Born in Greenport and raised in Mattituck as one of eight children of Helen and John Talbot, I have cultivated a deep connection to our community. Alongside my wife, Barbara, and our three children, we continue to embrace the values that define our way of life in Cutchogue.

I graduated from Mattituck High School, attended Suffolk Community College and began my career at North Fork Bank in Greenport. My passion for service led me to become a licensed master plumber, a path I pursued for 15 years before transitioning to building inspection and code enforcement. Today, I serve as the senior building and zoning official for the Village of Southampton, guiding me to ensure that our community thrives sustainably.

My commitment to community extends beyond my professional life. I’ve had the honor of coaching local youth, and serving as a Scout leader and Mattituck park commissioner. A highlight was collaborating with dedicated individuals, including Kim Prokop, Kathy Wilton, Nancy Esposito, and Cheryl Seifert, to design and construct the playground at Veterans Park between 1999 and 2002.

For nearly four decades, I have proudly served as a firefighter and EMT with the Cutchogue Fire Department, where I am currently a fire commissioner. My experience on the Town Board from 2009 to 2013 reinforced my commitment to land preservation, dark sky legislation, supporting local businesses, farming and fiscal responsibility.

If given the opportunity to serve again, I pledge to bring a pragmatic approach to our shared challenges. Together we can address quality of life needs, create essential housing options for our workforce and volunteers, and continue to protect the Southold we all cherish.

Thank you for considering my vision for the future of our community. I respectfully ask for your vote.

Christopher Talbot

Mr. Talbot is running for a seat on the Southold Town Board on the Republican and Conservative lines.

Southold

Trustees need expertise, not guesswork 

Like many of our neighbors, I’m following updates on local issues like the erosion reshaping Bailie Beach, the Suffolk County Water Authority’s pipeline extension, the update of our dock code and the implementation of a townwide irrigation law. It’s clear that Southold faces complex and urgent challenges that demand real expertise — not politics or guesswork. Town Trustees will make consequential decisions about issues like these — which impact water quality, shoreline protection and public access — that will define our community for decades. We need Trustees who not only understand these problems, but also know how to solve them.

As a marine engineer and former engineer diver, I’ve been entrusted by world-class organizations such as the U.S. Navy and Port Authority of NY/NJ to inspect underwater infrastructure around the world — from ports and seawalls to bridges and offshore facilities. My career has been dedicated to understanding how shorelines and structures interact — and how smart planning can protect both property and habitat.

I’ve built on that experience as co-founder of an oyster farm in Peconic Bay. Oyster farming has shown me how responsible marine use can strengthen both our environment and our economy — improving water quality, restoring shellfish populations and supporting local jobs. It’s a model of how environmental stewardship and economic vitality can coexist, and it’s the perspective I’ll bring to the Trustees.

The local issues making headlines demand Trustees who can bridge science, policy and community values. My work as an engineer and oyster farmer has prepared me to do exactly that. I understand how our coastlines evolve, how infrastructure must adapt and how local decisions ripple across our environment and economy. No other candidate brings this depth of knowledge and experience. I am the Trustee candidate that understands our problems and I am ready to deliver solutions.

Joseph Finora

Mr. Finora is running for Town Trustee on the Democratic and Working Families lines.

Greenport

This is not normal

Agreed, America is not like Nazi Germany in 1944, but the similarities to Nazi Germany in 1934 are noteworthy. To understand, read “Hitler’s First 100 Days,” where you will see much overlap between Trump’s and Hitler’s actions. Our democracy is being systematically destroyed in a power grab by a tyrant, much like Hitler did in Germany. What’s happening now in America is unprecedented. It’s not normal, business as usual. He is surprisingly transparent at times, wanting everyone to know what happens when you cross him by opposing, revealing or disagreeing. But fear lives within authoritarian dictatorships; it has no place in our democracy. 

America was always great before Trump; it isn’t great anymore. You might agree with some of the stated goals concerning the undocumented, but we mustn’t abandon our laws and constitutional rights, which are the things that truly make us great. Where do you think it leads if Trump has no boundaries? Trump is building a private, loyal police force, which will be at his disposal. Billions have been allocated for building ICE and detention centers. Who — besides the undocumented — might end up there? Do you think that Trump and Steven Miller wouldn’t do that? 

Look what’s happening to our universities, media groups and law firms as our president extorts money and power. Look at how our justice department is weaponizing the courts to punish and silence dissent. Whistleblowers beware. How about the Epstein coverups? He is sending troops to Blue States on fabricated circumstances as masked ICE agents run rampant. What about Trump Rx and crypto? The White House is open for business. None of this is normal or acceptable. I wake up every morning and read about recent distractions as they dismantle our Democracy. For whom? Who are the winners? Do you think that there will ever be a fair election again, if Trump gets his way? 

Wake up, engage and fight. Democracy dies from silence.

Paul Henry 

Cutchogue

Insanity mode again

Another government shutdown, which is just plain ridiculous. Government workers get a “delayed paid vacation” while the public be damned. “Continuing Resolutions” or as originally named “Temporary Resolution” were used to keep the government running when the budget process is not completed by Oct. 1, the start of the fiscal year.

The last time the budget was completed on time was Oct. 1, 1997. Do you see the insanity in all of this?

The answer is a requirement that if the budget process is not completed on time then all discretionary funding remains at present level until such time as the budget process is complete, with no government shutdown.

That would put real teeth into actual negotiations on the process. Can you imagine the country presently running at 1997 levels had this requirement been put in place? That is how insane the present process is.

Top it off with the fact that all the federal workers have always received back pay for time off during a shutdown once the CR was passed, just adds insult to injury for the taxpayers.

I don’t care what party you are, what is happening now is a dereliction of duty and brings dishonor to the halls of Congress. “A pox on both parties.”

Bob Bittner 

Mattituck

Perilous parallels

History does not repeat itself but it rhymes, said Mark Twain.

While not widely reported, Pam Bondi is now the subject of a disciplinary proceeding in her home state of Florida. There are several grievances against her, but the heart of the complaint is her directive to all attorneys in the Department of Justice, charging them with responsibility for aggressively defending Donald Trump’s policies, irrespective of their legality. Known as the “Zealous Advocacy” memo, it provides that any attorney who, because of his or her “personal political views,” refuses to do so will be disciplined or dismissed. 

Ms. Bondi’s memo bears an uncanny resemblance to orders issued in 1933 by the Reichsanwaltschaft, the German attorney general’s office. Also calling for zealous advocacy, they instructed prosecutors to act in accordance with party policy, and to align all prosecutions “with the Will of the Fuehrer.” Plainly, neither the German prosecutor’s office in the 1930s nor its American counterpart are willing to tolerate “personal political views,” certainly none that dissent from or disagree with the party line.

It is now politically unacceptable, and unacceptable generally, to compare Trump and his followers to members of a group that rose to prominence in Germany in the 1930s. To do so is considered, depending on your point of view, needlessly provocative, inaccurate, inappropriate or, at a minimum, in bad taste. In bad taste it may be, but it is ironic that the more the current administration comes to resemble Germany in the 1930s, the more opposition there is to saying so. The so-called “N-word” has been effectively purged from the English language and those who persist in using it deserve to be scorned and repudiated, as they are. But it may be time to revive the other N-word. The time has come, finally, to call things by their true names.

Dave Warren

Cutchogue

The big lie about free medical care

In 1986, the U.S. joined most of the Western world in providing emergency medical care to anyone who arrived at an emergency department in need of aid. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) requires hospitals that participate in Medicare to (1) provide emergency medical screening and treatment to anyone who arrives at an emergency department; (2) treat patients regardless of ability to pay, citizenship or legal status; and (3) stabilize patients before discharge or transfer, preventing the practice of “patient dumping” for financial reasons.

Now, our government has shut down because Democrats in the Senate won’t vote for a funding bill that doesn’t require the government to continue assisting with payment of Obamacare premiums for U.S. citizens who need the financial help. Without Congressional support, those premiums are about to skyrocket, and millions of Americans will lose their medical coverage.

The Republicans are insisting that their funding bill prevents the government from continuing to spend billions on free medical care for undocumented immigrants, claiming it is something the Democrats desperately want — free medical care for everyone, including undocumented immigrants. 

Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Undocumented immigrants are not entitled to free medical coverage in the United States. They are, however, entitled to emergency stabilizing treatment under EMTALA, just as the law requires.

What the Republicans are not telling us: EMTALA was part of the Consolidated Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) passed in 1986 and signed by President Ronald Reagan.

Facts matter.

Michael Levy 

Mattituck

Positive protections

After reading last week’s article about proposed changes to Town Code 275 (“Dock ban proposal sparks battle”), I felt compelled to offer some balance and clarification. The story focused mainly on critics of the code, but several residents also spoke in strong support. Along with Carol Brown of the Conservation Advisory Council, Bob DeLuca of Group for the East End, Trustees Gillooly and Sepenoski, I voiced my support, not out of personal interest, but because we care deeply about preserving the fragile ecosystems and rural character that make Southold Town so special.

What I witnessed at the meeting was disappointing: several adults behaving like spoiled children unwilling to accept that they can’t always get their way, more concerned with their own wishes than with the greater good of the community. They complained that Southold’s regulations make it “too hard” to do what they want, seemingly unaware of the irony that these very regulations are what have kept Southold the kind of place they wanted to move to in the first place. 

The proposed code changes are not about limiting people’s enjoyment of the water or the land. They are about protecting what makes this town unique and ensuring that future generations can enjoy it too. Southold’s regulations are not obstacles; they are essential guardrails that help preserve the clean water, open skies and unspoiled landscapes that define our town.

I urge residents and second-home owners alike to approach these issues with empathy and respect for both the land and each other. Trustees and Town Board members work tirelessly to strike this delicate balance, and they deserve our gratitude and support as they continue to safeguard what makes Southold unique.

Protecting Southold’s natural character through these code changes isn’t about saying “no”; it’s about saying “yes” to a sustainable, vibrant future.

Tami Loeffler

Southold

Let’s learn Spanish 

I am writing to request that Southold Free Library consider offering live beginner Spanish lessons for adults. I have seen this offered at the Hampton Bays and Longwood libraries, and also at SCCC — but in the evenings and at a considerable distance. I think it would be of tremendous value to Southold residents looking to better communicate with neighbors, tradespeople, caregivers, etc.

Wendy Kammer 

Mattituck

My choice for town clerk

Local elections always offer the public some great candidates, regardless of political affiliation. Once the elections are over, however, local government works best when politics get left at the door. No one exemplifies this more than our Town Clerk, Denis Noncarrow.

Denis’ commitment to this community has always been on display, whether by his volunteering with service organizations or charitable good works. He brought that same commitment to his position as town government liaison. He worked with officials from all political parties to secure hundreds of thousands of dollars for local projects and programs enhancing all of our lives.

To Denis, it’s not about party and not about partisanship, it’s about people. With his talented staff, Denis starts each day with one question: How can he make government more responsive and more user-friendly for the public?

I urge everyone to re-elect Denis Noncarrow as Southold town clerk so he can continue to put this community first.

Scott Russell

The post Letters to the Editor: Why turnout is declining appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Handicapped parking needed

I have contacted the Jamesport Civic Association and the Riverhead Town Board that the Jamesport Meeting House needs handicapped parking. 

We need to be aware of the people with special needs in our township, and help them in any way we can.

Warren McKnight

Aquebogue

Riverhead election

I have voted Republican/Conservative for as long as I can recall. This go around I feel a change is needed for town supervisor. Mr. Hubbard has been a disappointment. Mr. Halpin is more of an independent than he is a Democrat regarding his ideas on how Riverhead should be supervised.

The recent tax increase was a shock to me, without outlining the specific expenses incurred by the town, other than generic statements for the increase. The agri-tourism ideas concern me. Where is this going? Is this a back door to changing Riverhead to a resort destination? I’m more in line with preserving open space than I am with “tourism.” The North Fork is special. I’d like to see it stay that way, and not become a Hamptons nightmare. 

John Woods

Aquebogue

Three times the tax

I read in the Oct 2nd Riverhead News Review that the Town is proposing a 2026 tax increase of 6.74%.  This follows a 2025 increase of 7.92%, for a total two-year increase of 14.7%.

Records show that the same two-year tax increases during prior administrations were 5.2% for Laura Jens-Smith and 5.4% for Yvette Aguiar. So the tax increases of the Hubbard administration are three times that of prior supervisors.

I respectfully request the Town Board take another look at their budget. And if they can’t reduce the spending, seek a business consultant or empower a citizens group to provide recommendations. We can control spending and have a good quality of life at the same time. Prior administrations have been able to!

Mark Schackel

Washington, D.C. 

LaLota’s response 

Re Rosellen Storm’s letter of last week, Oct. 2: Like you, my “ordinary” titles are important to me as I am a husband, a father, a son, and a neighbor. Family responsibilities shape how I view every vote I take in Congress. I respect your passion and the seriousness with which you view our nation’s future.

We may disagree on policy, but I want you to know that my decisions are not about “bending the knee” to anyone. They are about delivering for Long Island families who are struggling with high costs and looking for real relief. The Working Families Tax Cut quadruples the SALT deduction, putting thousands of dollars back in the pockets of middle-class families across Suffolk County. It preserves Medicare and Social Security, strengthens our border, and keeps our economy competitive. These are not abstract issues for me; they are priorities that impact our neighbors directly.

I know you are concerned about health care. So am I. That is why I’ve worked to protect Medicare, expand coverage for veterans, and ensure safety-net programs remain funded. Reasonable people can disagree about the best way to achieve those goals, but I would never support a policy that leaves our most vulnerable without care.

I take seriously both the honor and the responsibility of representing our district. You may not agree with every vote I cast, but I hope you see that my record reflects a commitment to service, to principle, and to the people of Long Island—not to partisanship.

Thank you again for speaking up. Civic engagement, especially when we disagree, is what makes our democracy strong. I will continue to listen to your concerns and to fight for the families we both care about.

Nick LaLota

Mattituck

Thank you, Trustees

I recently attended my first meeting of the Southold Town Trustees, and was truly wowed by their hard work, commitment and patience. I would like to take a moment to recognize and commend the Trustees for their dedicated service to our community. They carry an enormous responsibility in balancing the needs of residents, environmental stewardship and the preservation of our cherished North Fork way of life.

Their work requires numerous site visits, long meetings and careful review of complex applications and regulations. Our shorelines, wetlands and waterways are better protected thanks to their diligence. The Trustees ensure that residents can enjoy the natural beauty of Southold Town by safeguarding these resources for generations to come.

I am deeply appreciative of their professionalism, their responsiveness to community concerns and the thoughtfulness with which they approach challenging decisions. Public service at this level requires both expertise and patience, and our Trustees continue to demonstrate both.

I highly recommend attending a Trustee meeting to learn more about the importance of their work and how it affects Southold Town.

Thank you for your tireless work on behalf of Southold Town.

Tami Loeffler 

Cutchogue

Making town government better

I’m running for Town Clerk for two reasons: to improve local government and to give back to a community that supported my family when we were in crisis.

My decision to attend law school was driven by a desire to make government work better. As town clerk, there are specific ways I can make Southold government work better.

I will extend office hours without increasing costs so residents can more easily obtain permits and services. I will continue posting concise, high-level summaries of Town Board work sessions and meetings, enabling you to stay informed without relying on hearsay or devoting hours to attending or streaming meetings. I will also conduct a thorough review of office processes to identify efficiencies. While I value tradition where it serves us well, I believe government should evolve thoughtfully rather than operate on autopilot.

I am also running because I feel indebted to this community, and want to repay that debt through service. In April 2023, my husband, David, suffered a severe workplace accident. We are deeply grateful he survived and remains whole, and equally grateful to live in Southold. In our family’s crisis, this town had our back. 

David’s employer, John Fabb, was extraordinary. The Lions Club, Kait’s Angels, the Southold Democrats, and many individuals stepped up to help. That support allowed me to focus on my husband and children when they needed me most. As a result, two and a half years later, our daughter is thriving in college, our son is a successful high school sophomore at Mattituck, David is building a new life, and I am committed to serving Southold.

Along with my commitment, I bring skills in grant writing, website management and clear, effective public communication — tools that will strengthen the clerk’s office and benefit the people of Southold

Abigail Field 

Ms. Field is running for Southold Town Clerk on the Democratic and Working Families lines. 

Cutchogue

Goodwin for highway super

The choice for highway superintendent is very clear to me. Dan Goodwin has proven his ability over the past four years with his accomplishments. These include:

• 45 lane miles of road repaved
• 152 new “in house” drainage installations
• 40 outfall pipes removed, protecting our waterways from road water runoff
• securing $400,000-plus in federal and state grants for future stormwater and runoff projects 

Dan has proven his ability and dedication to our town with his track record .

In my opinion, Dan has accomplished more in the past four years than any previous highway superintendent has accomplished in 10 years.

Xavier Fleming 

Orient

Reconsider the rabbi

Rabbi Gadi Capela has been a beacon of inspiration to his congregation and, significantly, to the community at large. He has fostered interfaith communication while raising the prominence of Tifereth Israel, Greenport’s historically rooted seat of Jewish worship. (Potato latkes served to everyone at Hanukkah come to mind.)

He has been a figure of warmth, friendship and learning to people within and outside the Jewish community.

It is to be hoped that the synagogue administrators will reconsider the effort to deprive us of his presence … and humanity.

Burke Liburt 

Southold

Ben Franklin was right

I am occasionally asked why I read, write and basically protest the way this country is heading. I — and others around me, both family and friends — live a good life. Warm houses, enough money to pay our bills and good health insurance. Many people are content with their lives as is. I, however, in the autumn of my life, live in fear for the future of this country, who as Benjamin Franklin said when asked on the last day of the Constitutional Convention if we were a monarchy or a republic said: “A republic, if you can keep it.” I took those words for granted until recently.

Two things come to mind these days for me. One is the word “erode,” meaning is to gradually destroy. The sea erodes shorelines and rocks sometimes so gradually we don’t notice it. As well, the boiling frog is an excellent metaphor, for a frog in a pot slowly adapts to increasing water temperature until it boils to death. I only hope, as a republic, we will realize we are in increasingly hot water before we, as a nation, are cooked.

This is why I hope that more and more people will protect our very fragile democracy.

Rosellen Storm

The post Letters to the Editor: Handicapped parking needed appeared first on Riverhead News Review.