‘Pretty decent’ turnout reported for election
North Fork residents went to the polls Tuesday, with voting places reporting steady turnout in a special election between Riverhead Supervisor Sean Water and Southold Town Councilman Al Krupski for Ed Romaine’s vacant Suffolk County Legislature seat.
Poll workers at Pulaski Street School and John Wesley Village in Riverhead reported turnout was high — at least higher than other non-Election Day votes, like political primaries.
“This year is a pretty decent turnout so far,” said elections assistant coordinator John McIntyre, adding that the John Wesley Village polling place had seen 100 voters as of about noon.
Voters interviewed in Riverhead were mixed in their support for either Mr. Walter or Mr. Krupski.
Mike Meyer, a resident of Riverhead for the past 10 years, said he supported Mr. Walter because of his policies in Riverhead.
“I think he’s had some good ideas with what he’s done with … downtown,” Mr. Meyer said.
Peter and Adelaide Ferrero, both of Riverhead, said they voted for Mr. Krupski, saying that they knew his family and that he was an “upstanding citizen.”
Most of those polled at the Mattituck High School voting place said they were voting for Mr. Krupski because of his history of service and his stance on conservation and open space.
Pat DeRidder said she voted for Mr. Krupski because she wanted to see more of the North Fork preserved for future generations.
“I want to see [my grandchildren] … enjoy the beautiful community with all this land,” she said.
Still, a few said they would be voting for Mr. Walter because he shares their conservative values.
“I vote for conservatives only,” said Jack Peters, a 30-year Mattituck resident. “I just think we need a major switch.”
