Patch Candidate Profile: Denise Merrifield For Riverhead Town Council

RIVERHEAD, NY — Riverhead residents will be hitting the polls soon to elect local representatives.

The race is on leading up to Election Day, which, this year, falls on Tuesday, November 7.

Patch asked those running for office to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles in the days leading up to the election.

Denise Merrifield, a Republican, is running for one of two open seats on the Riverhead Town Council. Also running are Republican Joann Waski, and Democratic candidates Andrew Leven and Rene Suprina.

Here is Patch's candidate profile of Denise Merrifield.

Name

Denise Merrifield

How old will you be as of Election Day?

Not answering

Does your campaign have a website?

https://www.committeetoelectde...

What city or town do you live in?

Wading River, Town of Riverhead

What office are you seeking?

Riverhead Town Council

Party affiliation

Republican / Conservative

Education

J.D. Albany Law School / B.S. Political Science, SUNY Stony Brook

What is your occupation?

In 1988, I became an assistant district attorney in the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office and retired after 30 years of service. For almost all of those 30 years, I worked in the criminal court building in Riverhead. During my career in the District Attorney's Office, I was assigned to the homicide bureau for 11 years, where I personally tried to verdict 29 homicide trials. I was the first assistant district attorney in New York State to obtain guilty verdicts against two defendants for murder in the first degree, murder for hire, simultaneously with two separate juries. I have personally tried 49 felony jury trials where defendants were charged with crimes such as robbery, burglary, rape, assault, conspiracy to commit murder and murder.

In addition to prosecuting violent felony cases, I have served as deputy bureau chief of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau, where I supervised 15 assistant district attorneys in their prosecution of child abuse, attempted murder, rape, and other violent felonies committed against family members and domestic partners. I also served as deputy bureau chief of the Major Crime Bureau where I supervised 9 assistant district attorneys in their prosecution of violent felonies.

After retiring from the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, I became an adjunct professor at Touro Law School where I currently teach trial advocacy courses. Additionally, I volunteer my time coaching law students in national mock trial competitions.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

I have long strong ties to Riverhead. My family and I have lived in Wading River for 26 years. My husband, Peter, and my daughter are attorneys, and my son is a middle school teacher.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I have always been a public servant. First, as an assistant district attorney in the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, protecting and serving the residents of Suffolk County. As a member of the Riverhead town board, I will be able to continue looking out for the welfare of the residents of Riverhead. Specifically, I want to ensure that no airport is permitted on the EPCAL property.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is dependent on what part of the town they live in. Generally, the residents in the western part of town are most concerned about an airport at the Enterprise Park in Calverton (EPCAL). Residents of the central part of the town are concerned about the construction of warehouses in their neighborhoods. Residents of the eastern portion of the town are concerned with balancing economic growth with agricultural preservation. Throughout the town, residents are concerned over the influx of unvetted migrants. I intend to oppose any airport within the EPCAL property. I intend to follow the comprehensive plan proposals regarding the location and size of industrial development within the town. I intend to promote smart economic growth while maintaining agricultural preservation. Specifically, I will support the use of transfer development rights (TDRs) to downtown development projects and to industrial zoned development.

What needs to be done to address water quality issues on LI?

I support clean water initiatives throughout the Town of Riverhead.

What do you think can be done to help improve our infrastructure, highways, etc.?

One improvement would be rerouting the traffic congestion just south of the intersection of Wading River Manor Road and Route 25A. There are too many entrances from businesses converging onto Wading River Manor Road. There should also be a traffic light at the intersection of Fresh Pond Ave. and Route 25A.

How would you plan to help local business owners, who are struggling because of high rents, inflation and labor shortages?

I will promote smart economic growth and continue the economic revitalization of downtown Riverhead. The influx of new business will broaden the tax base and reduce the tax burden on business owners and residents.

What is your stance on the current migrant situation affecting New York? And migrants were to be directed to shelters on Long Island, how would you prepare/plan for that?

I will fight for LOCAL control over unvetted migrants by allowing local governments to stop unvetted migrants coming into our town. The influx of individuals creates an unsustainable burden on our local infrastructure, our already overcrowded schools, our hospital and health facilities, and housing. Other jurisdictions should not impose health, safety, and financial burdens on our residents.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have lived in Wading River for 26 years and served the public as an assistant district attorney in Suffolk County for 30 years. One of my Democrat opponents, Andrew Leven, has lived and worked in New Jersey for the last two decades. He has been voting in New Jersey for the past two decades as a New Jersey resident. He voted in New Jersey as recently as last November 2022. I am far more qualified to understand the concerns and needs of Riverhead residents than someone who has never lived or worked here. The other Democrat opponent, Renee Suprina, is a retired music teacher. My legal background in civil, criminal, contract, property and municipal law makes me far more qualified to serve on the town council.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

• No airport at EPCAL.
• No massive logistic warehouses. I support following the town’s comprehensive plan proposals regarding industrial development.
• Continue the economic revitalization of downtown Riverhead.
• Smart economic growth while maintaining agricultural preservation.
• Support law enforcement efforts to keep our residents and streets safe.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

All my life, I have been helping to protect and serve Suffolk County residents. When elected to the town council I will bring the same level of dedication to the residents of Riverhead. I will protect and promote the economic advancements, the environment, and the lifestyle we all love about our beautiful town.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My father always gave me positive encouragement and urged me to always speak up, and let your voice be heard.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I donated a kidney to my husband in 2018, and I encourage everyone to consider donating a kidney to save the life of someone you love or even a total stranger.