Six vie for two town council slots on Republican ticket

Riverhead Republicans will field a full slate of candidates at the party’s nominating convention next week.

The party committee will almost certainly “back all the incumbents,” chairman Remy Bell said in a phone interview today. Supervisor Sean Walter, Councilwoman Jodi Giglio and assessor Laverne Tennenberg are seeking re-election. The final decision will be made by the full committee in a floor vote at the convention. The party’s screening committee does not make recommendations, Bell said.

The field of candidates for town council, besides the incumbent Giglio, include former L.I. Farm Bureau president Frank Beyrodt, Riverhead Police Lt. Rick Boden, Riverhead BID Management Association board member Isabel Gonzales, Mainstream House owner Robert Hartmann Jr. and retired Riverhead Police Lt. Robert Peeker.

“We’re very fortunate to have a great field of candidates to choose from,” Bell said.

William Van Helmond, who at first screened for a council nomination, has decided to run for highway superintendent instead.

“I think I can do a great job — I’m pretty much running a small highway department in my business,” Van Helmond said.

“When they looked at my credentials and background, they asked if I’d entertain running for another position,” Van Helmond said. “And when I sat down and dug deep inside my heart, I know I’m a blue collar worker. I like to work with my hands. I come from a blue collar family,” he said.

As a business owner, he said, he brings a good set of skills to the job of running the town highway department. “I won’t say anything bad about my opponent [incumbent Democrat George Woodson] but I think I can do a better job. I’m very excited. I’m going to give it 110 percent.”

The Republican nominating convention will be held at the Elks Lodge on Wednesday, May 10, beginning at 7 p.m. The Elks Lodge is located at 1239 East Main Street in Riverhead.