Candidate Profile: Catherine Kent, Suffolk 's 1st Legislative District

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Suffolk County 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.

Catherine Kent, a Democrat, is facing off against Republican candidate Catherine Stark for the Suffolk County 1st Legislative District seat currently held by Al Krupski, who is running for Southold Town Supervisor.

Suffolk County's 1st Legislative District is geographically the largest of the 18, stretching more than 70 miles from Middle Island in Brookhaven Town, through Riverhead and Southold Towns, to Fishers Island.

Here is Patch's candidate profile of Catherine Kent:

Name

Catherine A. Kent

How old will you be as of Election Day?

67

Does your campaign have a website?

https://suffolkforkent.com

What city or town do you live in?

Baiting Hollow

What office are you seeking?

Suffolk County Legislator District 1

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

Suffolk County Legislative District 1

Party affiliation.

Democrat

Education

Bachelor of Science-Education from Central Methodist University, Master of Liberal Studies from SUNY, Stony Brook

What is your occupation?

Riverhead School District teacher, 1983 to 2016; Riverhead Town Councilwoman, 2018 to 2021.

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

I have three adult children.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Not applicable.

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

Riverhead Town Councilwoman, 2018 to 2021 (elected).

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 been a public servant all of my life, first as a teacher and then as a councilwoman in Riverhead. I grew up on the North Fork and have always been a strong advocate for my area. My legislative district covers five towns, and they are all beautiful with hard working, close knit communities. There are many pressing and timely issues to be addressed. We must work to ensure that our children and their children can live and thrive in Suffolk County. I worked diligently as a councilwoman in Riverhead and am proud of my accomplishments. I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work serving the people of Suffolk County Legislative District 1.

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

Affordability is an alarming concern of residents in my district. As the legislator for Suffolk County District 1, I will support responsible fiscal policies that hold the line on taxes and keep the cost of living manageable for all residents, including the creation of affordable housing so that young families, workers and seniors can afford to live here. I will advocate in Albany for funding and incentives.

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

Nitrogen pollution from untreated wastewater is having negative impacts on our bays, harbors, and drinking water. When you and your family want to go to the beach and can’t because it’s closed due to harmful algal blooms, or clamming is banned due to bacterial contamination, that’s a direct result of nearly 400,000 antiquated cesspools and septic systems leaching contaminants into our water. It is critical that we protect clean water by helping homeowners with funding to replace their old systems and expand sewers in appropriate areas. I support putting the Suffolk County Water Restoration Act on the ballot in 2024 to let the voters decide.

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

It is important to maintain roads, highways and bridges by adopting smart infrastructure plans with projects in collaboration with all municipalities. Smart infrastructure projects also bring needed jobs and opportunities for our local workforce.

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

Suffolk County has several departments with resources available to support local businesses. As a legislator, I would help business owners navigate through the county system to connect with these departments and seek outside resources, as well.

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?

Government officials on the federal, state and New York City level must work together to solve the immediate issue of the numbers of migrants coming into NYC and then to address the crisis at the border. Rather than using this issue to divide us, we must work together to resolve it. The New York State governor has stated that no counties will be forced to accept migrants. Moving migrants out to Suffolk is not a viable solution, as those individuals would be here without proper housing, transportation or jobs.

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

As a lifelong public servant, first as an educator molding young minds and then as a town councilwoman, I have been a strong advocate for my community. My experience as an elected official has taught me the value of reaching across the aisle and bringing all parties together to find solutions. I am goal oriented with reputation for integrity, work ethic, respect and good communication skills. As county legislator, I will help families by holding the line on taxes, getting fair share from Albany, and keeping the cost of living down. I will work to protect our air and water and continue fighting for the preservation of open space. I will be a strong, independent voice for the residents of Suffolk County.

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

As a Suffolk County Legislator, I will continue to champion our families by advocating for:

• Responsible fiscal policies that hold the line on taxes and keep the cost of living manageable for all residents, including the creation of affordable housing through incentives secured from Albany.
• Support for law enforcement and first responders, ensuring that they have the training and resources they need to keep us safe.
• Bold environmental action to address climate change through a collaborative regional plan, and to keep our drinking water safe, and our bays, waterways and air clean for generations to come.
• Safeguarding our farmlands and preserving open spaces by maintaining the necessary funds.
• Workers’ rights and opportunities by adopting smart infrastructure plans with projects in collaboration with all municipalities.
• Reducing the number of cars on East End roads by working with the MTA and all levels of government to get more trains to our area.

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

As a lifelong resident of the North Fork, I have been a public servant for my life, first as an educator encouraging young minds and then as a Riverhead Town councilwoman fighting for the community.I taught in Riverhead schools for 33 years. During my tenure, I formed the district’s health and safety committee, and advocated in Albany for more state aid for the district. In 2018, I was elected to office as a Riverhead councilwoman, and proudly achieved many wins for my community. I formed the Riverhead Downtown Revitalization Committee, which secured funding for a long-range plan for the downtown area. I spearheaded the hiring of more police officers and the installation of cameras downtown to deter crime. I formed Riverhead’s first Environmental Advisory Committee, which champions water conservation and environmental stewardship, and led to Riverhead being registered in the NYSDEC’s program working toward being designated a Climate Smart Community I pushed numerous acts of legislation through the town council, including Riverhead’s Blighted Properties legislation, which has been particularly effective. Most importantly, I was always responsive to constituents, and worked diligently to resolve their issues, including getting power restored after Storm Isaias.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Work hard and stay true to yourself.

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

Throughout my years of public service, I have learned the importance of collaboration and inclusivity. My focus on engaging the community and bringing everyone to the table has been at the heart of my approach to effective governance. It is important for elected officials to work in conjunction with one another to get things done for our constituents. I’m excited to continue this journey of service as a Suffolk County Legislator for District 1.