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Politics & Government

Democratic Council Candidate Speaks to Conservative Political Action Group

Marlando Williams tells members of Suffolk 9-12 Project that he's pro-life, anti-same-sex marriage and is running to get town government off peoples' backs.

A Democratic candidate for the Riverhead Town Board appeared Wednesday night before a conservative political action group Wednesday night to make the case that, despite his party affiliation, he shares their conservative views on fiscal and social issues.

Speaking at the to about 45 members of the Suffolk County 9-12 Project, Democratic candidate for town council Marlando Williams declared himself to be pro-life and against same-sex marriage and said he wanted “to take the government of our town off peoples’ back.”

Early in his remarks, he said, “I’m running as a Democratic, but don’t let that bother you.” Asked why he was running as a Democrat given his conservative views, Williams said, “Because they asked me to.”

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Later in an interview, Williams said he was currently registered as a Democrat but had previously been a Republican.

Williams also expressed strong views on illegal immigration, noting that Hispanics now make up 17 percent of Riverhead’s population. While praising Hispanics in general, he said their influx “has brought with it a certain element of gangs and crime.”

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Williams, who served 16 years as a state trooper and was , said a priority for him would be to ensure that Riverhead’s police force “is prepared for what is coming – and I don’t think they are.”

The Suffolk 9-12 Project, formed in early 2009 by Bob and Mary Meyer of Baiting Hollow, endorsed all three Republican candidates in 2009 for seats on the Riverhead town board.

According to Bob Meyer, Williams was invited to speak  “because he had reached out to us,” adding that no decision has been made regarding endorsements for November’s election.

At one point in the meeting, Meyer told the group about rumors he’s heard about a current Republican member of the Riverhead Town Board, whom he didn’t name, “going around complaining that Riverhead’s Republicans had moved too far to the right.”

Jim Teese, campaign manager for Councilman Jim Wooten, who is seeking re-election in November, said afterwards that he was certain that Meyer was referring to his candidate and planned to talk to Meyer about the remark, which he called unfounded.

“What Jim Wooten has said is that the Republicans seem to be overly influenced by the town’s Conservative Party with a capital ‘C.’” said Teese, who attended Wednesday’s meeting. "He wasn't speaking about Republicans in general."

Also addressing Wednesday’s gathering was Randy Altshuler, the business executive from St. James who, with Suffolk 9-12 support, had in the 2010 election.

Altschuler has already announced plans to run against Bishop in 2012.

According to Bob Meyer, his group and similar 9-12 organizations across the country take their name from the nine principles and 12 values advanced by radio and television personality Glenn Beck. He said it also refers to the day after Sept. 11, 2001 when, the country had come together as a nation regardless of party affiliation.

“Our goal is to return to that spirit,” he said.

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