Mark A. Woolley

BACKGROUND

• Woolley, 69, who is not enrolled in a political party, is a lifelong Riverhead resident running for town council as a Democrat.
• He is a former journalist who has worked for several Long Island politicians, including a 10-year role as district director for former Rep. Lee Zeldin while he served as a state senator and then congressman.
• Woolley also worked as a district director for former Rep. George Santos and stayed in the role after Santos was ousted to work for his replacement, Rep. Tom Suozzi. He retired in January.

ISSUES

• Woolley is critical of the current administration’s spending and tax increases and called for fiscal responsibility. He said he would call for a forensic audit of the town budget and work within the state tax cap.
• The future of the Enterprise Park at Calverton is also a concern for Woolley, who said the Navy should remediate water pollution at the site, which should then be used to create high-paying tech jobs and tax revenue for the town.
• He said the town should maintain its agricultural heritage through preservation and encouraging farming while also supporting smart growth. Woolley said he would be an independent voice on the board that would push back against overdevelopment, including five-story buildings downtown.