Cardboard Race Challenge: May The Best Supervisor Win

Forget elections -- the countdown is on for one of the most heated races on the East End.

Town Supervisor Sean Walter said he's ready for his annual face-off with Southampton Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst in the annual Riverhead cardboard race festivities.

Last year, Throne-Holst bested Walter -- but he says it won't happen this time around.

"My boat is a winner," Walter said Friday. "I'm laying down the gauntlet now for Throne-Holst. I did my push-up yesterday and I might do a second one. I'm in good shape."

Walter built his boat modeled on a design used by a Cape Coral, Florida Rotary club. "It's a Rotary special," he said.

Last year, Walter let Throne-Holst use two paddles, while he used only one. This year, he said, "I'm coming armed with both. If she uses two, I'm using two. That woman's pretty strong. She doesn't have a very high handicap. I'm not taking any chances."

Throne-Holst said her "friends at the Flanders Fire Department have again been wonderful in taking on the job of designing and building my vessel."

The supervisor said she is honored by their support -- and ready to take on Walter.

"I plan to ensure the cup stays where it belongs yet again -- in the Town of Southampton."

And, she added, "I encourage everyone to come out for this great community event and fun display of good competition and camaraderie between the two towns."

The Riverhead Cardboard Race event begins at noon on Saturday on the Peconic Riverfront.