A first responder’s response: Riverhead officials twisted my words for political gain

Like many people, I generally focus my energy on public service and strengthening our community despite this age of hyper-connectivity, social media polarization, and non-stop news that take a toll on our mental health. In an unexpected way, I have local leaders Joann Waski and Ken Rothwell to thank for bringing me back into the public conversation via a libelous post

Here is what happened: During the 25th anniversary of 9/11, while I was rehearsing for a 9/11 tribute play, Waski and Rothwell weaponized a verbal slip-up I made and quickly corrected months ago. Waski used a national tragedy as political propaganda to boost Rothwell’s campaign, where I was to be the collateral damage.  

As a retired FDNY firefighter who responded off-duty on 9/11, suffered major injuries, and lost 12 members of my firehouse, this was deeply concerning.

On September 15, my supporters called out this behavior. I spoke directly to Waski and the board, offering a simple step forward: let’s get to know each other first. Yet, both leaders delay or deny giving a public correction or apology or even contacting me.

While news outlets covered the town hall clash, the full story was missing. I survived a terrorist attack and even a libel attack before, and I refuse to let my record or character be twisted from public libel. Here is my perspective on what really happened—and what we can do.

Let me take a moment to offer grace to the three local leaders in this scenario. While we only know each other on the surface, I respect their decision to serve our town. Councilperson Joann Spanburgh Waski is a mother and wife in a first responder family whose supporters describe her as deeply dedicated. I tip my helmet to Councilperson Ken Rothwell for his business leadership and his service to the Wading River Fire District. And Supervisor Jerry Halpin, a pastor of 22 years, understands the value of servant leadership—supporting people rather than tearing them down over a mistake.

Reverence aside, let us be clear: creating a false narrative is a problem in our town hall. Waski libeled a first responder for the political gain of Ken Rothwell. In a post-meeting interview, Rothwell supported the parts of that narrative that served his campaign. Supervisor Halpin offered no public support during or after the meeting.

We live in a connected digital world where residents expect active participation, honest human connection, and ethical leadership. Yet local political tactics remain stuck in the past. Twisting words of constituents or co-opting a national day of remembrance is an outdated ploy to turn human lives into campaign propaganda.

Elected officials cannot exploit digital platforms to smear first responders and stakeholders, expecting us to stay quiet. 

Weaponizing harmful falsehoods against a private citizen—especially a retired first responder who risks his life for others—crosses a clear line into common-law defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Under New York law, publishing false accusations that expose an innocent person to public ridicule or character assassination carries real legal consequences—a reality Riverhead Town Attorney Erik Howard can surely confirm to the board.

This is not my first experience with careless narrative framing. Following 9/11, a 2001 New York Times Magazine article about my survivor’s guilt carried a reckless title, “Which Way Did He Run,” implying cowardice—the ultimate insult in first responder culture. I know firsthand how negligent words cause severe collateral damage. No one should remain silent when they are unjustifiability scapegoated by those in power.

Our public institutions and political systems are built to protect themselves rather than admit when they are wrong. Even these good-yet-flawed members of the Riverhead Town Board brush off serious ethical breaches and defamation as minor scrapes that serve their personal interests. 

Joann Waski and Ken Rothwell ignorantly claim that “socialism” is “rewriting history.” What they fail to realize is that history is often rewritten not by the powerless, but by those in power trying to justify their own authority.

Real accountability may not come from those with the power—it requires me to step up and refuse to validate libel and demand better leadership. 

As a first direct step toward accountability, I demand a full public apology and correction from Joann Waski, supported by Ken Rothwell, clearing up four specific false claims:

• Alleging that I tried to “rewrite 9/11 history.”
• Claiming I do not acknowledge 9/11 as a terrorist attack.
• Conspiring a secret “buddy system” between Supervisor Jerry Halpin and myself.
• The derogatory manner in which they attach me to any political party and ideology

In addition, I am filing a Riverhead Ethics Board Complaint Form. The Riverhead Board of Ethics governs this process under Chapter 113 of the Town Code § 113-4 Standards of conduct.

Finally, if the process is denied, delayed, or deflected, I will resolve this through Article 7 of New York Civil Rights Law, claiming  that councilperson Waski engaged in active malice therefore removing protection of “qualified privilege” outside of meetings. 

Thanks everyone for your support.  Joann, I have requested your friendship on Facebook, and I can be reached.

Our town deserves social media posts and media interviews from local officials that focus on genuine civic issues—not performative political theater at the expense of any person or persons who contribute to ethical sustainability and authentic community trust.

Thanks for reading these 911 words. 

Register to vote. Check your voter registration. 

Get to know your candidates and vote early.  

I have friends everywhere.

Laura Jens-Smith: Waski’s post about Kevin Shea crossed a line – RiverheadLOCAL 

Waski, Shea clash over 9/11 comments at Riverhead Town Board meeting 

Town Hall Meeting September 15th 2026: Comments (43:27)  

Kevin Shea is a retired New York City firefighter. He was a Democratic Party candidate for Riverhead Town Board in 2025. He lives in Baiting Hollow.

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Editor’s note: At the Sept. 15 Town Board meeting, Council Member Joann Waski, responded to a resident’s criticism of her Sept. 7 Facebook post, which is the subject of this column, with what she characterized as “a very light apology.” Ms. Waski said she was concerned by Mr. Shea’s use of the word “accident” in describing the 9/11 attacks because “There are people out there that are that are trying to erase history.” She said she “sincerely thought” Mr. Shea was “not bringing to the table that 9/11 was a terrorist attack on our land” and “I just I don’t want anybody to ever forget.” In concluding her response, she said, “I should not have attacked you as as I did. I was hurt and worried that other people are going to not recall that 9/11 was a terrorist attack.”

Ms. Waski’s Facebook post has been deleted.