Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz notably pointed to the “New York values” of billionaire Donald Trump during a recent debate. Now, one New Yorker is questioning the values of Mr. Cruz, saying he shouldn’t even be on the ballot in the New York GOP primary since he wasn’t born in this country. READ
Councilwoman Jodi Giglio appears to have held off incumbent Supervisor Sean Walter in the race for the Riverhead Republican nomination for supervisor — though ballots still remain to be counted. After being named the party pick in May, Ms. Giglio holds a 29-vote lead over the three-term supervisor, 1,085 to 1,056. READ
Riverhead Town Tax Assessor and Republican Committee chairman Mason Haas has sued Riverhead Town over its recently passed ethics law, accusing Town Board members and Supervisor Sean Walter of targeting him as political retribution. READ
Councilmen Jim Wooten, John Dunleavy and Supervisor Sean Walter at a town board meeting last winter. (File photo: Barbaraellen Koch)
Is it OK for a sitting supervisor to campaign during what would traditionally be described as “office hours?”
It depends on who you ask. (more…)
KATHARINE SCHROEDER FILE PHOTO | The Suffolk Theater’s grand re-opening night in February.
The first of two town political debates being sponsored by local media and held at the historic Suffolk Theater will see two Democratic primary supervisor candidates square off, followed by three Republican primary hopefuls for town council.
The debate, sponsored by Riverhead News-Review and RiverheadLOCAL.com, will start at 7 p.m. this coming Monday, Aug. 26. Doors open at 5 p.m.
There will be a suggested $5 donation at the door, with all proceeds going to Brendan House, New Beginnings.
“We’re very excited to be working together to bring these debates to the public,” said Times/Review Newsgroup executive editor Grant Parpan. “Given the current political climate in this town, there’s no doubt these events will be good shows worthy of the theater’s grand stage.”
Both debates will be moderated by Mr. Parpan, RiverheadLOCAL editor and publisher Denise Civiletti and News-Review editor Michael White.
“Riverhead is at a crossroads,” Ms. Civiletti said. “The next town board will be making crucial decisions that will affect our future for generations to come. Voters need to know where the candidates stand on important local issues.”
Monday’s debate will feature Democratic supervisor candidates Ann Cotten-DeGrasse and Angela Devito, followed by Republican town council candidates Anthony Coates, John Dunleavy and Jodi Giglio,
The Democratic candidates will debate first, for about 45 to 50 minutes, followed by the Republican candidates. Those arriving early for the second debate may be asked to wait in the theater’s lobby area, as to not disturb the first round of candidates.
All questions for the debates have been prepared in advance, and were written by readers as well as the moderators. All candidates will be given time to make closing statements. No outside video recording of the event is allowed.
The theater’s bar and restaurant will be open at that time, but shut down during the debates, which are scheduled to run until 9 p.m.
The theater’s bar and restaurant will re-open after 9 p.m.