To the Editor:
It’s hard to imagine a greater example of a failed exercise than Riverhead’s downtown revitalization efforts.
A quarter century ago, Joe Petrocelli’s aquarium was supposed to bring jobs and prosperity to Riverhead. Despite 30 years of IDA tax breaks given to Petrocelli’s various ventures, downtown is a ghost town. Petrocelli is now on his third restaurant in the Preston House, has admitted attendance has leveled off at the aquarium and has a business model that is clearly not working for Riverhead.
We appreciate Petrocelli’s investment and wish him well. But taxpayers should not subsidize another Pettocelli business. We now know he has presented an IDA application for his new hotel which is not available for public review.
Taxpayers have legitimate concerns. Rather than respond to questions, Riverhead’s GOP board members have attacked and belittled community members for having the temerity to speak out.
Who are Riverhead’s ethically challenged Republicans working for—our taxpayers or Joe Petrocelli?
Ron Hariri
Aquebogue
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