Patch Candidate Profile: Rene Suprina For Riverhead Town Council

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.

Rene Suprina, a Democrat, is running for one of two open seats on the Riverhead Town Council.

Also running are Republican candidates Denise Merrifield and Joann Waski, and Democratic candidate Andrew Leven.

Here is Patch's candidate profile of Rene Suprina:

Name

Rene Suprina

How old will you be as of Election Day?

61

What city or town do you live in?

Riverhead

What office are you seeking?

Riverhead Town Board

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education

Bachelors in Music Education, SUNY Potsdam (Crane School of Music). MALS, SUNY Stony Brook. Masters Degree in School District Leadership (SBL/SDL), SUNY Stony Brook.

What is your occupation?

Retired music teacher.

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

Three children. My oldest son (Matthew)is married with a 4-year-old daughter. He is a Riverhead police officer. My daughter Lauren is in her junior year of college (Eastman School of Music) studying clarinet performance. My youngest son (Bryan) is a freshman in college (SUNY Plattsburgh) studying finance.

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 am concerned about the direction Riverhead is headed in and want to be a part of the solution to get our town back on track. I believe in community safety and feel we need to do more in that area, particularly downtown. I do not support an air cargo jet port or warehouses in any form. I am opposed to this hideous EPCAL deal and will fight to break that contract. (Editor's note: The contract was nixed this week). We need to complete our comprehensive plan in order to move our town forward. We must stop rubber stamp approving every project that comes before the town board. I want to continue work on revitalizing our downtown. Make it a safe, walkable area with a vibrant arts hub.

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 the EPCAL deal. If elected, I will fight to break that deal. f this deal goes through it will negatively change our landscape (and our surrounding neighboring towns) forever. (Editor's note: The town board voted against the deal this week.)

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

Testing and funding.

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

We need to be aware of traffic and its impact when approving new commercial construction. Our roads cannot handle the amount of traffic we have now. We must consider congestion, parking and also improving public transportation.

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

I would be in favor of looking for grants to help sustain these businesses. I would support rent stabilization for local business owners so that they are not priced out of their buildings. I would encourage the use of incentives when reusing existing buildings as opposed to new construction.

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?

This is a federal and state issue. I would travel to Albany and ask our state legislators what their plan is to address this issue. Do they plan on providing proper funding?

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

My opponents are in favor of warehouses and I am not. One of my opponents has a business in town and has made money from town contracts. I believe that is a conflict of interest. I come to this election as a resident who has raised my family here and I have no connection to town government. I bring a fresh set of eyes and the desire to provide transparency in our local government process, which we are sorely lacking right now. I am educated and have 30+ years of experience in budgeting and administration. I take the role of managing taxpayers' money very seriously.

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

Additional lighting, cameras in our downtown area. Water safety in the Calverton, Manorville area. We need a moratorium put in place for future commercial construction until we have our comprehensive plan in place.

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

I have worked in the public school system for 39 years. I have developed budgets, presented budgets. I have been involved in the process of hiring employees many times. I am a former band director and pride myself on being a 'big picture' thinker. I can problem-solve and think outside the box. We need to stop the business of doing the same thing time and time again in Riverhead. It is not moving our community forward. We will be a community of warehouses and trucks.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Don't be afraid to take a risk and always show up.

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

I feel the time has come that we need change. Our town has been run by one party for a very long time. They have not done a good job and it is time for them to be fired. Elect our slate and give us a chance. If you are unhappy with the direction we are taking you in then fire us at the end of our terms. I am running on a fusion ticket with 3 Democrats and 2 Republicans. It has been an honor working with these dedicated, intelligent candidates. I can work side by side with anyone as long as they are honest and committed to doing what is right by our residents.