Paul D. Shepherd, Council Member, Town of Shelter Island

CONSERVATIVE

Shepherd, 64, is running on the Conservative, Libertarian and Independence lines. He is seeking his third four-year term on the town board. He previously worked as a carpenter and landscaper.

ISSUES:

• The island's water availability and water quality need to be managed carefully. Saline contamination of wells is a problem in some shore areas, he said, as is nitrate contamination from septic systems in other areas.
• Shepherd said he is concerned that budget growth is continuing at a higher rate than income growth for fixed-income residents, despite not having a lot of "bloat" in town budgets, and what that means to future town services.
• He is concerned about higher housing costs and the shrinking availability of quality jobs and their combined effect on entry-level housing opportunities.