Special Election Today for Candidates Vying for Vacant Southampton Town Board Seat

Voters will head to the polls today to cast their ballots fora new Southampton Town board member.

The Southampton Town board has had an empty seat since November, when former Town Councilman Brad Bender was arrested and pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to illegally distribute oxycodone.

Polls are open today from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Running for the seat are Democrat Julie Lofstad and Republican Richard Yastrzemski.

Both spoke to Patch about the reasons for throwing their hats into the proverbial ring, answering a series of questions and answers about why they decided to run for office.

What made you decide to run for the empty Southampton town board seat?

Julie Lofstad: I am running for the Town Council seat because I want to help make our community stronger. I have a passion for advocacy, and am looking to use my voice to help the people within our community. To me, that is what public service is all about.

Richard Yastrzemski: I ran first for supervisor, and did not win that race. I have been given a second chance, which does not happen often in life. This race allows me to get on the board and do what I really want to do, which is serve my township as an elected official.

What are your goals, should you be elected?

Richard Yastrzemski: I want make sure code enforcement is applied more vigorously in areas which are currently underserved. Public safety is always concern of mine, as a Deputy Police Commissioner, and I want to make sure that the Southampton Town Police Department is adequately staffed and equipped. Keeping a close watch on zoning and zoning changes is imperative to maintain responsible growth, while being mindful of the impacts to the communities.

Julie Lofstad: I will address water quality and housing issues, and issues related to over­development. I want to make sure our children, our seniors, our first responders, are able to live here. I want to make sure all our residents live in safe and healthy conditions, and that landlords who disregard our town codes are held accountable. I want make sure we don’t lose the rural character we all love about this place. And I want to make sure that the beautiful beaches, bays, and ocean that we cherish, remain beautiful and accessible for our children, and for their children, to enjoy. If I can begin to move these issues in the right direction, I will feel I have made a start towards making a good difference and a brighter future for the residents of our Town. That is my goal.

What do you think are the most critical issues facing residents today?

Julie Lofstad: After speaking with countless people, the issues I listed above are those that people are most concerned with. They don’t want to see big box stores on every corner. They want to see open spaces, white sandy beaches and clean water. They want their children to be able to find a good job here, and to be able to afford to live here. We live in such a unique place. We need to protect, preserve and cherish those things that make us want to live here, and brings so many visitors here to enjoy our Town ­ all the things that make us different from any other place.

Richard Yastrzemski: Overdevelopment, water protection, code enforcement, crime reduction, and preservation of overall quality of life issues.

How does your experience make you the right person for the seat?

Richard Yastrzemski: I have served eight years as Southampton Village Trustee, last four of those as Deputy Mayor and Deputy Police Commissioner. I have overseen every department in our village, and have handled complex budget, personnel, and zoning issues. I have interacted with all levels of government and neighboring municipalities. I bring this first-hand experience and my varied relationships to the table.

Julie Lofstad: I began my career working at the World Trade Center, for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is a bi­state governmental agency. I managed all facets of the Port Authority’s Airport Improvement Program for the three major New York area airports, ­which is a $50 million dollar grant program ­ from grant application, to construction, to completion and close­out of projects. After 9/11, I changed careers and began running the day to day operations of my family’s commercial fishing business, which is based in Hampton Bays. I perform all budgetary duties, including payroll, tracking expenditures and planning equipment purchases, and submit all state and federal regulatory documentation. I founded and ran a not­-for­-profit organization, the Hampton Bays Mothers’ Association. As part of that organization, I helped craft sex offender legislation for our Town. As the co­owner of a job matching service called UntappedAbility, we found jobs for former stay at home moms (and others) who were looking to get back in the workforce. We placed over 150 people during our time in business. I was also asked to attend and host an education lobby day in Albany, and speak with elected officials about flawed education reform (Common Core). I believe with this broad base of experience in business, and having worked with elected officials at all levels of government for years, plus my longtime advocacy on behalf of our community, will allow me to be a great asset to our town council.

Share some information about your bio.

Julie Lofstad: I grew up in Hampton Bays, and am a graduate of Hampton Bays High School. I went to college at the Florida Institute of Technology and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Air Commerce Flight Technology, and earned my pilot’s license. I then worked for the Port Authority for 15 years, and now manage my family’s commercial fishing business. My husband Ray and I have one daughter, Olivia, who is a 10th grader at Hampton Bays High School.

Richard Yastrzemski: I was born and raised in Southampton, attended all Southampton public schools. I have almost 30 years of experience as financial advisor, currently with Rocco Carriero Wealth Partners in Southampton. Married for 20 to Diana. Two children; son, Cole, 14 and daughter, Laine, 12. Cole is 9th grade in Southampton High School. Laine is sixth grade in Southampton Elementary School. All involved locally with Boy Scouts, Southampton Fire Department, Elks Lodge, and Sacred Hearts Church in Southampton.

What would you tell voters about why they should choose you?

Richard Yastrzemski: Voters should choose me, because my vast experience in local government and personal finance enables me to get to work for the taxpayer immediately, without requiring any on the job training. The taxpayer has not been served well for the last two months with a shorthanded board. There can be no more time and taxpayers’ money wasted for learning the job. I am already doing the job well, and I can help get the town and the board back on track quickly.

Julie Lofstad: After having a career in the city, and when I began helping my husband with our business, I realized I had time to help within our community. I found I had a calling to help people, and I was good at it. When I saw something that needed doing, I did it. I am a local business owner who will fight for our mom and pop stores. I will fight for clean water for our future. I will fight to improve the quality of life for our residents. I will fight for our community, as I have been doing for over 15 years. My experience working for a governmental agency, my experience running my family’s fishing business, and my experience managing a not for profit organization, together with my longtime history of community advocacy, makes me the best candidate for the job