Meet The Candidate: Timothy Hubbard For Riverhead Town Supervisor

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, two candidates, incumbent Timothy Hubbard (Republican, Conservative) and Jerome Halpin (Democratic and Taxpayers First) are vying to fill two open town council seats.

Name

Timothy C. Hubbard

How old will you be as of Election Day?

65

Does your campaign have a website?

No

What city or town do you live in?

Riverhead

What office are you seeking?

Town Supervisor

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

Riverhead High School, 1-year Suffolk Community, SC Police Academy

What is your occupation?

Retired. 32 years, Riverhead Police Department, Councilman, 8 years Riverhead Town Board, 22 months, Riverhead Town Supervisor

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

Married 40 years, 5 children, 6 grandchildren

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Son, works at Suffolk County BOE, daughter, principal law clerk NYS Family Court in Suffolk County, son-in-law is Riverhead Town Attorney.

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

Councilman, 8 years Riverhead Town Board, 22 months, Riverhead Town Supervisor

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?

To continue to serve the residents of Riverhead and steer our town on its path to: enhance public safety, revitalize Downtown Riverhead, continue with water and sewer infrastructure projects and oversee the future development of EPCAL into a hub of high tech jobs for the east end.

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

Water conservation needs to be a priority, continue to bolster nitrogen mitigation efforts, water infrastructure improvememts to remove contaminants

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

Our Highway Superintendent, Mike Zaleski, does an incredible job maintaining all town roadways. We will continue to collaborate with NYS with CHIPS monies and other grant sources for additional improvements. Sewer improvements including Biosoloids reuse program which will dramatically reduce volume and cost of wastewater being shipped off Long Island and continuing Water District extensions into unserviced areas of town.

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

I always encourage residents to support local businesses to keep our mom and pops alive and well. We promote local job fairs and encourage businesses to engage with the local Chamber of Commerce; efforts to economically revitalize downtown and to create a Town Square will generate eonomic activity and inject much needed foot traffic in the downtown area. This will also result in patronage of local, shops, restaurants, bars, etc.

How are federal issues impacting local government?

Current government shutdown negatively impacting local SNAP benefit recipients is projected to also impact local food banks and the town is preparing to provide assistance to mitigate those impacts through grant funding and advocacy.

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

Simple answer: RELEVANT EXPERIENCE. Specifically 32 years on the Riverhead police force, 8 years as a Town Council person, 2 years as Supervisor. Also served on Riverhead School Board and as Director of PAL Football. I bring a comprehensive understanding of the budget process and external factors that impact the town's budget along with the practical experience to balance governmental cost saving efforts while also ensuring sound operational health of the town and maintaining a committment to public safety. My opponent lacks the necessary experience to run the town and offers no practical solutions or policies.

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

See above answers.

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

I would draw heavily on my past nearly two years as Supervisor of the Town of Riverhead and the relationships I've forged with other Suffolk County supervisors over the past two years to collaborate on solutions that effect our respective towns.

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

Endorsememts from our local CSEA and PBA demonstrates that our workforce trusts my leadership and vision for the town. I have also been endorsed by multiple other labor unions, our local Newspaper, the Riverhead News Review and Newsday. I would be pleased to continue to serve as the Riverhead Town Supervisor for another term.