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Walter/Giglio radio debate coming next Wednesday

Walter.Giglio

An impromptu radio challenge has resulted in a debate being scheduled for Wednesday morning between Councilwoman Jodi Giglio and Supervisor Sean Walter, who are running against each other in a Republican primary for supervisor on Sept. 10.

During his weekly half-hour radio spot on WRIV 1390 Friday morning, Mr. Walter said he had heard that Ms. Giglio declined another station’s offer for a debate with him, and then offered to do so on WRIV, during Ms. Giglio’s weekly radio spot on Wednesday mornings beginning shortly after 8:30 a.m. The segment usually lasts about 40 minutes, including news breaks and commercials.

“It won’t infringe on her schedule since she appears at that time anyway,” he said.

The supervisor — who did not get his party’s nomination for reelection, which instead went to Ms. Giglio — then accused her of making a promise to the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association, which has supported her, that she would turn the Riverhead Police Department over to Suffolk County jurisdiction if elected.

Ms. Giglio then appeared on the air after Ms. Walter’s spot had ended and she accepted the challenge.

“I’d definitely take him up on his offer for a debate,” she said on the air.

Ms. Giglio then accused the supervisor of “spewing out lies,” saying she has not made a deal with the Suffolk County Police, and pointing out that her two running mates for town council — Bob Peeker and Tim Hubbard — are both retired Riverhead Police officers.

“There’s no way any of us are giving up the Riverhead Police Department,” she said on the air.

The loser of the Republican primary for supervisor will still be on the ballot in November, since Mr. Walter also has the Conservative party line and Ms Giglio still has the Independence party line.

The Democratic candidate is Anthony Coates, a former campaign advisor to Mr. Walter who changed his registration to Republican in 2013 in order to run a primary for town council against Ms. Giglio and incumbent Councilman John Dunleavy. Mr. Coates lost that race by wide margin.

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