There’s another early entry into the 2017 campaign for Riverhead Town Board.
Catherine Kent, Democrat of Baiting Hollow, said yesterday she is seeking election to a town council post.
Kent, 60, who retired in June after teaching in the Riverhead school district for 38 years, said the town needs new leadership and she’s up to the challenge.
“I’m passionate about Riverhead and I’ve got the energy for the job,” Kent said. “Riverhead is at a critical moment,” .
“I’m a teacher, so I’m doing my homework, researching and getting familiar with details of important issues,” she said. “Obviously a few always stand out, such as EPCAL, downtown and the town’s financial condition.”
Kent has an inside view town politics and government as the former spouse of ex-councilman and deputy supervisor, Christopher Kent, who went on to become a deputy county executive.
Kent attended a press conference held by Democratic supervisor candidate Laura Jens-Smith yesterday in the Pfeiffer Community Center at the Enterprise Park at Calverton. When given an opportunity to speak to the small gathering of reporters and Jens-Smith’s supporters, including Riverhead Town Democratic chairwoman Marjorie Acevedo, Kent referred to herself a candidate for councilwoman. It was her first public pronouncement of her intention to run.
There are two council seats open this year on the all-Republican town board. Councilwoman Jodi Giglio will seek a third four-year term as councilwoman, she said this morning.
The other incumbent, Councilman John Dunleavy, is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.
Giglio was the Republican nominee for town supervisor in 2015, and lost in a three-way race to incumbent supervisor Sean Walter, who ran on the Conservative party line after being denied the Republican party nomination for a fourth two-year term.
The Riverhead Republican committee has begun screening prospective candidates, according to numerous sources. GOP leader Remy Bell could not immediately be reached for comment.
On the Democratic side, civic activist Larry Williams has said he is considering a run for a council seat, but has not made a final decision.
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