An Open Letter to the Riverhead Town Board:
To Supervisor Jerry Halpin, Councilmembers Joann Waski, Kenneth Rothwell, Denise Merrifield, and Robert Kern,
Recently Councilwoman Joann Waski posted on social media an attack on Kevin Shea, an FDNY hero, in some kind of perverted attempt to promote Ken Rothwell’s candidacy for Town Supervisor. To say that her words are appalling would be an understatement.
Pictured Above: Riverhead Retired FDNY firefighter Kevin Shea, at right, in rehearsal for a new production of “The Guys” in Greenport, about an FDNY Captain eulogizing the men he lost on September 11.
Mr. Shea’s remarks that Ms. Waski refers to in her post occurred during the July 21, 2026, Town Board meeting.
(Editor’s Note: At that meeting, Mr. Shea, who suffered severe injuries while responding to the World Trade Center, initially called the plane crashes ‘accidents’ and later clarified that he had intended to say ‘incidents.’)
The video recording of this meeting is a part of the public record and available for anyone to view on the town’s website. At the time, Mr. Rothwell took the opportunity presented by this single word to chastise Mr. Shea and pontificate about September 11. Ms. Waski’s entire attack on Kevin’s character is also based on the meaning of that one word, which he had already clarified at the end of his remarks.
Kevin Shea’s knowledge about the events of 9/11 do not need to be pointed out to Mr. Rothwell and Ms. Waski, they are both well aware of who Kevin is and where he was that day. Kevin Shea was the sole survivor among the thirteen FDNY firefighters in his battalion that responded to the Twin Towers. When the South Tower collapsed, the blast wave blew Kevin some two hundred feet and he was buried in the debris, suffering a broken neck and severe internal injuries. Kevin is painfully aware every day of the events of 9/11, and every person in this town owes him their gratitude and respect.
Mr. Rothwell’s bogus valor and Ms. Waski’s heartless attack on Kevin is reprehensible and a clear reflection of their own lack of humanity and compassion. I have no idea why either of them would choose to act in this manner towards Kevin. I also do not know what or if there is anything that they can do to make proper amends to Kevin Shea, but that burden is theirs to carry.
In the meantime, the residents of Riverhead should determine if Mr. Rothwell and Ms. Waski have the character that we expect of the elected officials in our town.
Sincerely,
Colin W. Tooker
Riverhead Resident
On LaLota and SALT
To the Editor:
I’m writing to explain what’s wrong with the SALT tax deduction that Nick LaLota talks about on his website and in his TV ads. So, exactly what is it, and how can I get it?
Yes. SALT stands for State and Local Tax deduction. It is particularly important in NewYork because we have relatively high property and state income taxes.
What SALT does
SALT is not a check or a tax credit that you apply for. It is a deduction on your federal income tax return.
It allows you to deduct certain New York State and local taxes from your federal taxable income, including:
- New York State and local income taxes
- Property taxes on your home
- Certain other state/local taxes
The big change Nick LaLota has been talking about is that the federal SALT deduction limit was raised substantially. For 2026, the limit is $40,400 for most individual filers, ratherthan the old $10,000 limit. ([IRS][1])
How do you “get” it?
You don’t sign up for it separately. You claim it when you file your federal tax return, using Schedule A (itemized deductions). The important catch is that you generally have to itemize your federal deductions. If you take the standard deduction instead, you don’t separately get the SALT deduction. The IRS confirms that SALT is an itemized deduction. ([IRS][2])
So, for example, suppose you paid:
- $12,000 in NY State/local income taxes
- $10,000 in property taxes
That’s $22,000 of potentially deductible SALT. If you itemize, that $22,000 can reduce the income on which your federal tax is calculated, subject to the SALT rules and income limitations. - It does not mean you get $22,000 back. If you’re in, say, a 22% federal tax bracket, a $22,000 deduction could reduce your federal tax by roughly $4,840.
There is one very important question for you. Since you’re in Southold/Long Island, you could potentially benefit quite a bit from the higher SALT limit, but whether it actually helps you depends on whether itemizing beats your standard deduction.
Which is $16,000 for single tax filers and $32,000 for married filing jointly. In 2017, it was $6,350 for single and $12,500 for married. Then he raised it in 2017 to $12,000 for single and $$24,000 for married. Now it’s so high that the average working-class person cannot use the itemized form.
Sincerely,
Joel Reitman
Peconic
Seniors Taking Action
To the Editor:
This is a call to all seniors to make sure that not only you, but all your friends and relatives get out to vote. It’s fun, and extra support is always a good idea.
Trump is desperately trying to block us from voting, so we must have ways to ensure that we can get to the polls safely to exercise our most precious Democratic right.
Seniors are old, bold, and they vote. Now, more than ever, we need that vote. Please realize how important the senior vote is. It is the largest voting bloc, and with that, we have to get every senior out to vote, either by mail or at the polls.
It is suggested that we vote by mail (double check your ballot and mail it EARLY) or by early voting at the polls, as they should be safe.
Whoever thought we would be saying that we had to worry about how to vote, or that write-in ballots would in some way be destroyed? This vote is the best chance we have to restore our democracy.
If you encounter problems at the polls, call 866–OUR-VOTE if you see anything improper.
Charles Gueli
Laurel
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