After a rigorous election season, America’s largest township honored its 10-year veteran town supervisor, three recently re-elected town councilmen and a newly minted town clerk with an induction ceremony on Jan. 2, 2014.
Inside the pavilion at Hempstead Town Hall, re-elected Town Supervisor Kate Murray, a Levittown resident, was joined by her nieces and nephews as she took her oath for another term.
“Thank you to the men and women who voted for us this past election year,” Murray said. “We promise to continue to work to justify the confidence you put in myself and my colleagues.”
Supervisor Murray with a speech covering the 2014 budget—heralding that it cuts town taxes for a third consecutive year—the community’s efforts during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and the town’s dedication to providing affordable homes, clean drinking water and green energy.
“In Hempstead Town, we’ve weathered a national economic meltdown while showing the highest regard for taxpayers,” Murray added. “At the same time, we’ve helped neighbors who are recovering from Hurricane Sandy and we are growing our local economy while improving the quality-of-life experience for neighbors who call America’s largest township home.”
During her speech, Murray honored Island Park Fire Chief Anthony D’Esposito with a service pin for his efforts during Hurricane Sandy. She also unveiled designs for the Malone-Mulhall Recreation Center at Camp Anchor in Lido Beach, which is scheduled to open later this year.
“There is more work to do and you’re invited to join with us,” Murray said.
Following a performance from American Idol contestant Robbie Rosen, U.S. Congressman Rep. Peter King stepped forward to induct newly elected Town Clerk Nasrin G. Ahmad to her first term in office. Making her transition from private citizen to public official, Ahmad said she intends to maintain cost-effective programming while striving to provide services in a more user-friendly way.
“I plan on working hard for all residents in the Town of Hempstead,” Ahmad said.
After the induction of the newest elected official, Senior Councilman Anthony Santino was sworn into his seventh term in office by state Supreme Court Justice Hon. Ruth Balkin.
“I stand here old enough to reflect on the past two decades,” Santino said, “while also being young enough to look to the future.”
After thanking his constituents, Santino went on to praise his colleagues for their efforts to sustain a budget that reduces taxes for a third year.
“We have the finest public officials anywhere… they have kept our town an island of fiscal strength amongst a sea of red ink,” Santino added.
Re-elected with 89 percent of the vote, Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby took the oath of office for another term on the Hempstead Town Council.
“We each have one vote and need to get the vote of the people to get it done,” Goosby said. “I am grateful to serve for the fourteenth year as your councilwoman.”
Following another performance, from the Vision of Victory Singers with the Mount Sinai Baptist Church Cathedral, Councilman Gary Hudes was the last of the re-elected town council to take his oath of office.
“We are all partners,” Hudes said, just following his induction. “Partners who effect change and growth in the Town of Hempstead.”
Hudes concluded by thanking members of the community for coming out to vote this past election year, and for re-electing him to another four-year term.
