Patch Candidate Profile: James Wooten For Riverhead Town Clerk

RIVERHEAD, NY — Riverhead residents will be heading to 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.

James Wooten, a Republican, is running for Riverhead Town Clerk against his opponent, Democrat Josephine Makowski.

Here is Patch's candidate profile of James Wooten.

Name

James Wooten

How old will you be as of Election Day?

64

What city or town do you live in?

Riverhead

What office are you seeking?

Town clerk

Party affiliation

Republican/Conservative

Education

High school regent's diploma/ Suffolk County Police Academy / NYS crime prevention school/ Connecticut School of Broadcasting

What is your occupation?

Retired police/ Assistant funeral director Tuthill-Mangano Funeral Home, Riverhead

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

Wife Rebekah Silverman, daughter Alivia

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

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

3-term Riverhead Town councilman.

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?

My love of town and my desire to continue to serve the community in a non-political way.

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

Town clerk position is not policy-making; however, I will address the language barrier in the office.

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

Upgrade septic systems, move towards eco-friendly fertilizer.

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

Planning and prioritizing.

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?

Assists migrants with any necessary paperwork.

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

Lifetime of public service, committed to serve, proven dependable and trustworthy, active in many community groups and initiatives.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

Diane Wilhelm has done a great job, the position is open; she is retiring.

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

Completing archiving historic records in possession of town, insisting on full-time Spanish clerk to address the growing Hispanic community.

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

Knowledge of town government, president of PBA during my career as police officer, New York State records from work at funeral home, coordination of many public events like summer concert series, country fair, teen idol contest, holiday bonfire, cardboard boat races, etc.; have organizational skills and networking skills.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

God, family, community.

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

I will always be available and will take every step necessary to accommodate your needs.