With your support, we’re moving Riverhead forward

When I ran for Riverhead Town Supervisor two years ago, my goal was to work for all of Riverhead. For the last 21 months, this dictum has guided my actions. As I seek re-election, I promise to continue to work on behalf of all our residents to provide quality government services in the most efficient way possible at minimal cost to taxpayers, while safeguarding our community, increasing economic opportunities, preserving our local environment, and protecting our drinking water.

Just nine short weeks after taking office, a global pandemic impacted our nation. Here in Riverhead, we experienced monumental challenges. My experience in public and private management, law enforcement and the ability to lead cohesively helped our town government rise above the challenges presented to us. We provided services to the homebound, shelter for the homeless, and secured vaccines for our seniors. At the same time, we reduced spending and debt to improve our fiscal stability and secured our communities. We reduced our crime rate substantially and a recent pandemic-related audit by the New York State Comptroller revealed that we addressed the pandemic setbacks properly, all while maintaining the services our residents expected and deserved. Thereafter, Moody’s increased our bond rating, a significant indicator of financial stability. Reducing property taxes will be my next priority.

While the pandemic response and public safety was my top priority, we moved forward with our plans to develop our local economy, revitalize our downtown, improve local quality of life and protect our environment.

We are creating a town square on our riverfront and two of the blighted buildings across from the Suffolk Theater will be demolished soon, opening Main Street to beautify our riverfront. I obtained the assistance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and flooding of the riverfront will finally be addressed.

The Island Water Park, 22 years in the making, will finally open later this year. The year-round destination park will offer activities for all age groups.

Finally, after decades of passion displayed by our residents, drag racing in Riverhead became a reality over the summer.

We formed a beach committee to ensure we maintain our beaches for our residents.

The welfare and safety of our town’s children is a primary concern. As a result, we have reorganized our code enforcement office and enacted new code revisions to enhance enforcement. We are now more prepared to address overcrowded housing issues, once noneviction mandates are lifted.

We formed a committee to address the immediacy to bring clean water to our Manorville residents.

While these are only some of my accomplishments over the less than two short years, I am committed to moving Riverhead forward for the benefit of all our residents.

As I seek re-election as supervisor, I look forward to continuing to speak with town residents and discuss my credentials, management experience, and what we have accomplished so far, along with my vision for Riverhead’s future in a positive, constructive, and balanced manner.

Yvette Aguiar lives in Riverhead. She was elected is town supervisor in 2019.

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