Meet The Candidate: Bob Kern For Riverhead Town Board

RIVERHEAD, NY — Suffolk County residents will be heading to the polls Tuesday to elect local representatives and make their voices heard.

Residents will weigh in on the race to represent one of the 18 legislative districts in Suffolk County, vote for Suffolk County District Attorney and Sheriff — and choose their local town elected officials.
In advance of the election, Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaign. In Riverhead, four candidates are vying to fill two open town council seats.

Name:

Robert (Bob) Kern

How old will you be as of Election Day?

73

Does your campaign have a website?

VoteBobkern.com

What city or town do you live in?

Riverhead

What office are you seeking?

Riverhead Town Councilman

Party affiliation

American/Republican/Conservative

Education:

College degree

What is your occupation?

Marketing and branding consultant.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

Seeking second term as councilman in the Town of Riverhead.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing Riverhead is:

The PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — contamination at EPCAL which will (per 2024 DEC report) make its way to Flanders Bay (Peconic Bay).

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

The Navy has not made EPCAL a priority, with that I have been working with the county, state, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and getting results toward the Navy expediting the process

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

More state money coming back to the towns

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

High rents? Provide smaller, rentable spaces. Inflation? Work with other similar businesses to combine orders for discounted rates. Labor shortages? Work with local schools setting up apprenticeship programs.

How are federal issues impacting local government?

Taxes, healthcare, tax write-offs for child care, which is, in most cases, the cost of a pay check.

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

Inexperience in local matters, no previous involvement in local government.

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

Continue preserving farmland. Getting the Long Island Science Center built. The cleanup at EPCAL. Focus on attracting technology companies to our industrial land for job creation and tax revenue.

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

No electric batteries or chargers not UL rated can be sold or shipped into New York State. Increased numerous court fines, some over 20 years old. Bringing online billing, online fillable forms, and continuing this through every department. I have been on town committees for over 14 years working on code changes with the town, county and state. I have and continue to scam seminars for our seniors.

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

I can be found in Town Hall on a daily basis and am available seven days a week to address any and all issues a constituent may have. I was elected to serve and honor that promise.