Jim Stark for Supervisor :
Jim Stark was born in Riverhead and has lived here all of his life. He has been married to Patricia Stark for 45 years. He pledges to work hard for his family and yours to direct to the Town of Riverhead by creating an atmosphere of professionalism, fiscal responsibility, community responsiveness and efficiency in Town Hall.

The most important aspect of Jim’s candidacy for Supervisor is the experience and understanding of government that he will bring to the position for the Town of Riverhead and its residents. He has served as a Riverhead Councilman and Supervisor, and is experienced in fostering consensus among board members and managing the intricacies of a $40 million municipal budget. Republicans and Democrats at the local, county and state levels respect his expertise as a leader in government and have often sought his counsel.

Just as important, Jim understands the need to balance the interests of the various segments of Riverhead Town, its residents, business people, its economic future, and its agricultural heritage.

He is a staunch supporter of fiscally conservative budgeting and accountability to Riverhead taxpayers. He believes in providing affordable housing opportunities to maintain our families and generations here, while taking appropriate steps to hold the line on taxes.

He is also sensitive to the needs of Riverhead’s business community having operated several businesses in town himself. He believes that in order to entice our children to remain in Riverhead, they must have the opportunity for gainful employment that will allow them to support their lives here.

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James’ lifetime of service began professionally age 22 when he joined the Riverhead Police Department a foot patrolman on Main Street. He was known throughout his career as a community-minded individual, and was honored as Crime Prevention Officer of the Year by New York State in 1999 for his work on neighborhood watch programs. James was also honored twice by his peers in receiving PBA Officer of the Year.

James offers nonstop dedication to the people of Riverhead, including: Leading youth groups in Habitat for Humanity; founding member of the First Congregational Church Food Kitchen; Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Watch Coordinator; Riverhead Country Fair; Riverhead Youth Committee; Past Member of the Riverhead Fire Department; Riverhead School District Bus Safety Committee; and a member of the Masonic Lodge.

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As a Captain in the US Army Reserve, Tim served as a Logistics Officer in Southwest Asia and in Kuwait in support of our efforts in Afghanistan. In 2005, he joined the US Coast Guard Reserve and remains assigned toil Sound as a Port Security Specialist. He is the recipient of numerous military and police department awards, and was named Police Officer of the Year in 2005.

Tim and his wife, Ruth, live in Baiting Hollow with their daughters. A founding member of the Peconic Warpipes (bagpipes) Band, he is a member of the VFW and the American Legion.

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Ed Romaine was elected Suffolk County Clerk in 1989, winning all ten towns. He was re-elected in 1990, 1994, and 1998 and 2002, by ever-increasing margins of victory. County Clerk Romaine instituted a number of reforms and management initiatives designed to achieve his objectives of lowering the cost of government and providing taxpayers with sorely needed relief.

In 2005 Ed Romaine was again elected to the County Legislature, receiving 63% of the vote. The First Legislative District, which he represents, includes the towns of Shelter Island, Southold, Riverhead and the eastern portion of Brookhaven. Among his top priorities as Legislator are: saving farmland and open space, preventing road runoff from contaminating our bays and waterways, enhancing health and transportation services on the East End, repealing the sales tax on home heating fuel and ensuring fair sharing of funds for law enforcement on the East End.

Ed Romaine is a long-time resident of Center Moriches and the father of two adult sons. He is active in numerous community, civic, fraternal and professional organizations.
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Barbara Grattan was born in Greenport to Stanley & Anne Kurczewski. She was educated in Cutchogue and Southold School Districts.

After marriage to husband, Joseph, who was a Riverhead Town Police Officer, she moved to Riverhead and became a full time housewife and mother. Barbara has two children, Joseph, who has DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes in Southold and Mattituck, and Lori, who is an elementary teacher in Shoreham-Wading River School District. She has four grandchildren.

In May of 1991, she was nominated by the Riverhead Republican Party to run for the position of Town Clerk. In November of 1991, she was elected by the voters, took office in January 1992, and has been elected for seven consecutive terms.

Barbara's accomplishments have been the improvement of the computerization of the Town Clerk's records. Births, Deaths, and Marriage records are now all on the computer. The Town Board Minutes and Resolutions can now be found posted on the web site. Hunting Licenses, Fresh Water Fishing Licenses, which were formerly handwritten, are now issued by utilizing the State of the Art computerization linked directly to Albany. Barbara is also the first Marriage Officer of the Town.

Barbara's goals are to continue with the Records Management Program for the town and the constant updating of files and records which become a permanent record. Renovation of the Town Clerk's Office should also be completed at the end of this year.

Ed and his wife Annmarie currently live in Riverhead with their three children Jessie, Cassie, and Jamie. Among his many activities, Ed enjoys NASCAR Racing, Duck Hunting, outdoor activities, and family recreation.

Ed formerly served on the Riverhead Zoning Board of Appeals from 1996-1998. He is a registered Republican.

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In her role as Receiver of Taxes, Maryann is responsible for the collection, accurate recording keeping and disbursement of more than $110 million in annual property taxes paid to the Town of Riverhead, for approximately 16,000 parcels. Since taking office, she has worked hard to improve services and efficiency of operations, and successfully implemented the offering of a new payment system whereby property owners can now opt to pay their taxes either via credit card using either a toll free number, or through the Internet. Another significant accomplishment under Maryann’s leadership has been the negotiation with local banks for placement of tax receipt payments into higher interest bearing accounts, which has yielded increased revenues to the town.

Maryann continues to bring new and innovative ideas to her office. She is currently working on a plan that will provide, for the first time, town tax bill information online through a website. This data will be available to taxpayers and the public, and it is anticipated the system will be up and running in early 2008.

Maryann truly loves and feels honored working for the residents of her hometown, and is fully committed to her position and to the property owners of the town. She pledges to continue to serve the taxpayers of Riverhead Town with honesty, integrity and accountability. In addition to her memberships in the New York State Association of Tax Receivers and Collectors, and the Suffolk County Tax Receivers Association, she has been involved in numerous civic and community organizations and activities. At home, Maryann is an avid reader and gardener and among her greatest pleasures is cooking for family and friends. She has resided for the past 29 years in Wading River with her husband John and her daughters Jayna and Janel.

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He has worked tirelessly for our residents, making sure that each and every eligible applicant receives their entitled tax reduction. He has helped to provide over 1900 seniors and over 2500 veterans receive a partial tax exemption on their real property taxes. Paul has earned a high reputation with our agricultural community as they know Paul will help them with their applications to insure that they do not lose any tax benefits.

Paul, a past Green Beret, is a member of the American Legion as well as the Riverhead Elks Lodge. Paul is engaged to Linda Hulse and resides in Aquebogue.

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Mason Haas is a resident of Jamesport, where he resides with his wife of 20 years, Maureen & their 2 teenage children. His involvement in the community have included past board member of the Police Athletic League, past chief of the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corp and current member of the East Creek Advisory Council. He presently serves as a class A fireman and vice president of the Jamesport Fire Department Association.

Mason's extensive land title research background includes real estate in the entire County of Suffolk and involves records dating back to the year 1660. Having managed a local land title business for 25 years, he has an understanding of both Real Estate/ Land Title and Property Assessment records and the Office of Real Property Tax Services Agency. This experience has enabled him to use this knowledge as a Riverhead Town Assessor where he has worked since his appointment earlier this year. Mason promises to continue his long hours of dedication and hard work to continue the excellent standard of service the residents of Riverhead deserve.

A proven true professional, Mason hopes to continue to serve the residents of Riverhead Town as their Town Assessor.