Politics & Government
Board Undecided On Where To Site Food Mission
The Riverhead town board is undecided where to site the mission to help the hungry.
An organization that distributes food to the needy is still seeking space in downtown Riverhead.
Currently, Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter said, Lighthouse Mission sets up its mobile food distribution center near the Peconic, in the area behind Twin Forks Bicycles, on Fridays.
Councilman John Dunleavy said the needy begin lining up as early as 9:30 a.m. and are there until 1:00 p.m.; the supervisor said there have been some complaints from business owners who would like to see the operation moved.
Walter said that Lighthouse Mission representatives do not have a problem with moving, but said they would like a resolution by the town board designating the new location, so they are not moved time and time again.
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"He wants an assurance that he won't be moved again -- that's what he's afraid of," Dunleavy said.
One possible location, Walter said, is the Second Street Firehouse. Another is an old garage by the riverfront.
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Councilman Jim Wooten, however, did not think that the Lighthouse food operation needed to be moved. "They're doing it in an abandoned part of the parking lot. With the exception of the bike shop -- I can't think of a better location."
Dunleavy disagreed, and said the needy line up on a grass portion of the road with children that "dart out into the road. Their parents have to grab them -- it's dangerous for kids. If a parent takes their eyes off a child and car hits him, who's liable? I'd rather put them where there's no traffic."
Wooten asked about the possibility of relocating the food distribution to behind the old Sears building; Walter said the town does not own that property.
Councilwoman Jodi Giglio asked why a resolution was needed and said she was unsure about the town locking themselves into such an agreement. The supervisor said the reso could always be rescinded."We're just trying to resolve this," Walter said. Another option, he added, would be to site the Lighthouse food distribution at the County Center.
Dunleavy said that would be a long walk for those with small children and carriages.
The third possibility, Walter said, would be toward the Salvation Army.
"We have to take care of the needy, but in a safe manner," Dunleavy said. "I think the Second Street Firehouse is best."
This week, the board brought up the topic again, and Wooten said he disagreed with the firehouse as a location.
He pointed out that the goal is to empty the East Lawn building and bring the Suffolk County Historical Society to the Second Street Firehouse. He said the Peconic River parking lot is empty further east and the operation should remain there.
Giglo agreed the town was trying to sell the East Lawn building.
"These kids run from their parents onto that roadway," Dunleavy said. "One day a car is going to come and we're going to have a tragedy there."
Wooten suggested the county court parking lot; Walter said the plan was to eventually move criminal court to that location.Still undecided, the board decided to discuss the matter for a third time at its work session on Thursday.
Where do you think the best location for Lighthouse Mission to distribute food to the needy would be?
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