“Remember when you write about me that I have a family,” new Riverhead Town Supervisor Jerry Halpin quipped to reporters after a heartfelt swearing in ceremony at Riverhead Town Hall on New Year’s Day.
Mr. Halpin, a longtime pastor with his wife Kristen of the North Shore Christian Church, was surrounded as took the oath of office by family members, many of whom had made the trip from his home state of Kentucky, where they are deeply involved with fire and emergency services.
Pictured Above: Jerry Halpin (center), with his family (l-r): Brother Pat Marshall, daughter Sarah Halpin, wife Kristen Halpin, father Dennis Halpin and daughter Chloe Halpin.
He spoke of his love for his chosen hometown of Riverhead and his plan to embark on a listening tour of civic groups in town at a brief address, and pledged to work with the Town Board, all of whom are Republicans. Mr. Halpin, an Independent who was elected as a Democrat, said of his plans to work with the town board that “sometimes out of pressure and conflict comes a diamond.”
“I’ve been called a lot of wonderful things throughout my life, and lately I’ve heard the word ‘novice.” That’s true, that’s a fair statement,” he said. “I am not a political person. I’ve never been…. I’m not a novice at being a servant leader, or working hard, being a team player, hustling, winning and obviously talking… I love to talk.”
Mr. Halpin, who spoke often of cutting taxes during the election, said he has already cut his salary, previously budgeted at nearly $119,000, “by over $8,000.”
“I’ve not done that to brag, and I’ve not done that because I’m wealthy, but because I believe sacrifices start at the top, and we have to catch up to this ball of taxes that is rolling down that’s crushing people. The thing I was taught by the people sitting in this room today, both those I was raised with and those that have led this town for years is that sacrifices start with us. That’s the Riverhead way. When there’s an accident or something going on in Riverhead, we always pull together.”
While Mr. Halpin’s election — by 37 votes — may have come as a surprise to Riverhead residents, it wasn’t surprising to his family.
“He was always good, worked hard, and played a ton of sports,” remembered his father, Dennis Halpin, retired Fire Chief at the City of Taylor Mill Fire Department in Kentucky. He added that Jerry had served as a member of the volunteer fire department there from the age of 16 until he left for college.
“He’s ambitious. He’ll give them 110 percent,” he said of his son’s new job.
“I was surprised when he said he was going to run, but when he sets his mind to something he does the best he can,” said his brother, Pat, also a fire captain. “He was a typical little brother. We all started as volunteers at the same fire department.”
Mr. Halpin’s daughter Sarah graduated from Riverhead High School in 2014, where she played the cello. She majored in music at the University of Kentucky, and has been working as a police dispatcher in her father’s hometown, Taylor Mill, for five years.
“We’re first responders. It’s what we do,” she said of her family, adding that they all find it very rewarding to help people when they’re in need.
“I never really thought that he would get involved in politics, but as soon as he told me he was running I started telling everyone I knew that he was going to win,” said his daughter Chloe, a singer-songwriter.
The traits that may help him most as supervisor?
“He’s just super honest to a fault,” said Chloe. “Humor? Can that help? He’s extremely honest and that’s what I know me and my sister, and my mom, have loved about him growing up — how open and honest they’ve been with us our whole lives.”
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