Candidate Profile: Yvette Aguiar For Riverhead Town Supervisor

RIVERHEAD, NY —Suffolk County residents will be hitting the polls next month to elect local representatives.

The race is on in local town and village races leading up to Election Day, which, this year, falls on Tuesday, November 5. Patch asked those running for office to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles in the days leading up to the election.

Yvette Aguiar, 60, of Riverhead is running for election as Riverhead Town Supervisor.

Her opponent is incumbent Riverhead Town Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith.

Aguiar is a Republican also running on the Conservative line. She and her husband Paul have one son, John. She has a PhD in business administration, a master's degree in public administration, and a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice. Currently, she is an associate professor in management at the American Military University, where she has been for seven years. Prior experience includes working in law enforcement with the New York City Police Department and serving as chair at Briarcliffe College.

Check out Patch's full Q&A with Aguiar below:

Patch: The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

A: Illegal overcrowded housing along with the lack of code enforcement enables people to live in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. In addition, it affects people who live near these homes. Overcrowded housing is more than just a quality-of-life issue. It impacts real estate values, increases property and school taxes, which directly affects the quality of education our children receive. The reason we have this crisis in Riverhead, is due to the supervisor's lack of tackling the issue. Code enforcement is sorely understaffed and not one Supreme Court action has been sought in nearly two years. I have developed a 10-point strategic plan to address this vital quality-of-life issue. This will be accomplished by using state-of-the-art technology and intelligence gathering. Once these homes are identified, we will take legal action against landlords and homeowners who facilitate illegal overcrowding.

P: What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?

A: I have a PhD in business. I understand the critical importance of finance management. I am also a licensed NYS real estate agent. I understand the intricacies of land sale and acquisitions.

P: If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community?

A: The current supervisor has failed to make decisions on many of the critical issues facing our town. She has failed to provide adequate code enforcement, failed to revitalize our downtown area. In fact, more stores have closed since she took office; she has failed to maintain our agriculture and preserve our farmland. In addition, she has failed to ensure our police and ambulance communication system is appropriately funded. Recently, a failure in the communication system was not addressed for three days, endangering the health and safety of our residents. She came dangerously close to losing a state grant ($1.2 million dollars) by failing to file for the grant in a timely manner.

P: Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

A: I will hold the line on taxes, work towards the protection of needed services for the elderly, veterans and our youth. I will promote economic development, I will re-establish confidence and transparency in our Town Hall government.

P: What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

A: I have the experience, skills and knowledge, in both the private and public sectors, to effectively manage our town.

P: The best advice ever shared with me was ...

A: In government, "you serve your people best when you serve them first."

P: What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

A: I have never sought public office in the past. However, I will bring a new business model perspective to Riverhead and ensure we bring back the government to all the residents of Riverhead. I look forward to serving you as your supervisor.