Catherine L. Stark for Suffolk Legislative District 1

The 1st District covers the area from Wading River and Manorville eastward to Orient Point and Fishers Island, Shelter Island and parts of western Southampton Town.

For Catherine L. Stark, the celebratory bill signing that established the Working Waterfront Preservation Program was only the beginning.

The Riverhead Republican knows every step and detail still to come — from establishing the review committee and analyzing applications to making sure each industry is represented and assuring the bonded funding will be available as needed.

It’s that granular understanding of an effort she helped jump-start that makes Stark an effective, important lawmaker, especially for the East End communities she represents.

Stark, 62, also thinks creatively about more thorny issues, including housing, roads and infrastructure. She applauds an idea from Peconic Landing, the continuing care retirement community, that would add housing for its staff on-site and suggests a similar strategy for area hotels and motels. Among her priorities are seeing to completion the elevation of two sections of County Road 48 in Southold to avoid tidal flooding, and allowing the use of commercial grade alternative septic systems to help North Fork businesses expand.

Mattituck Democrat Gregory P. Doroski is a savvy Southold Town board member who has worked in beer brewing for 15 years. Doroski, 45, rightly says that building accessory dwelling units should be “easier.” The town should continue to benefit from Doroski’s expertise, but Stark’s experience and knowledge remain invaluable to the county.

In her next term, Stark should prioritize updates to the farmland preservation program and working with towns to allow more farmworker housing.

Newsday Opinion endorses Stark.