Doherty tapped to fill Orlando’s place on GOP ticket
Trustee Jill Doherty has been tapped by the Southold GOP to fill the hole in the party’s ticket which opened with Councilman Vincent Orlando’s unexpected announcement in April that he won’t seek a second term.
Ms. Doherty, who won her second term on the Board of Trustees in the 2009 town elections, received the party’s unanimous support during a special meeting Monday.
“She does a great job,” said town Republican chairman Denis Noncarrow. “She reaches out to the community and she listens.”
Ms. Doherty was the top vote-getter in winning her second four-year term in 2009. Prior to her first election in 2005, Ms. Doherty worked for 10 years in Town Hall, two years as a clerk for the Planning Department and eight years as clerk for the Trustees. The East Marion native who now lives in Mattituck studied accounting, business law and real estate brokerage in college.
Just a few weeks ago the Republicans seemed set on renominating all eight GOP incumbents facing reelection. But during the party’s April 4 convention Mr. Orlando cited personal reasons in saying his first term would be his last.
“I came to a crossroad,” he told the committee members. “It’s a family decision and it didn’t come easy.”
The Southold Democratic Party has not yet scheduled its convention. Without naming names, party chairman Art Tillman said his committee has “two very qualified candidates” interested in the two town council seats up this year.
“Interestingly, three Republicans have screened with us and will change parties,” said Mr. Tillman. “It appears the Republican Party is becoming more out of touch with Republicans in Southold Town.”
There only two elected Democrats serving in town offices, Councilman Al Krupski and Highway Superintendent Pete Harris.
Neither is on this year’s ballot.
