Above and Beyond
That’s Anna Kaplan. I have worked in various capacities in our civic community in Manhasset and can say without reservation that Councilwoman Anna Kaplan goes above and beyond and is one of the most responsive elected officials with whom I have worked over the past ten years. The job of Councilperson is technically a part time position. But you wouldn’t know it if you saw Anna’s schedule. Evenings and weekends are all fair game. She puts in far more hours each week than is expected of a council member. She takes the position very seriously and is a dedicated advocate for the community.
Anna’s concern for the Manhasset community is evident in the way she responds to concerns and requests in her district. Issues with signage at a crosswalk or a dangerous intersection? “I’ll meet you there to look at the location so we can better understand the problem.” A list of requests from the Greater Council each month about issues in Manhasset? Anna follows up on each item in writing and attends Greater Council meetings on a regular basis to answer questions in person. A CASA sector meeting to discuss ongoing efforts to in the community? Anna is there at the table. My experience is not unique. Many residents have told me how impressed they were that a call to her office resulted in a quick response via phone and thorough follow up on the issue.
Anna’s district covers portions of Roslyn, Manhasset and Great Neck. Anna treats all of her constituents equally and represents District 4, regardless of zip codes. However, Manhasset residents want to know what she has done for Manhasset. The list is long but to name a few significant items beyond her day-to-day responsiveness to her residents:
• Anna was a critical part of the team that executed plans to revitalize Manhasset Valley Park. She secured extensive funding for adjustments and additions during construction and responded to the community’s concerns and questions throughout the process.
• Anna and the TNH team made possible the repaving of Plandome Road and thousands of linear feet on other streets in Manhasset.
• Anna advocated for the widening of Manhasset Avenue with an additional turn lane to alleviate congestion from school and commuter traffic.
• Anna launched the first ever Project Independence Community Resource Fair in Manhasset to share with seniors important information about the Town’s program to help residents aging in place.
• Anna helped to bring affordable senior housing to Manhasset and while remediating an unusable brownfield that was contaminated with lead and arsenic in the process.
Anna is the first one to say that she does not do her work alone. Along with her staff, other elected officials and employees of the Town of North Hempstead, Anna has accomplished a great deal in her four years as our Councilwoman. But don’t let Anna fool you when she humbly shares the credit for her accomplishments. She is a tremendous advocate for the Manhasset community and driving force behind the projects on which she works. We would be fortunate to have her continue in this role, working to continually improve the great town in which we live.
Anna Kaplan is accessible and effective as a leader in our community. Please join me in supporting her, a councilwoman with a proven track record of advocating for the best interest of all of the residents in District 4.
Sue Auriemma
We Need More Than Photo-ops
Manhasset needs someone who really cares about our safety and our businesses. Everyday we talk about Plandome Road—why are these stores still empty, why are there weeds and unsafe sidewalks, why aren’t there crosswalks like in Port Washington and Garden City, where is the money for the median that would prevent illegal U-turns? A camera can be installed to take photographs of illegal U-turns.
The police have advised that they do not have authority to install cameras—this must be undertaken by Town Council. We need a Manhasset resident who knows our problems, cares about them, and will get results. It has been over 20 years since we had a Manhasset resident in Town Hall, and unfortunately
it shows.
We can change that if we get out and vote. Don’t assume your neighbor will—this is your town so take 15 minutes and make a difference. Help elect Mary Kay Barket, an excellent candidate for District 4 who lives right off Plandome Road.
We need help from our elected officials. Has the only improvement in Manhasset been the renovation
of Valley Park? That plan, which included $2.5 million of funding, many permits, and bathrooms, was the work of private citizens, the Indians Rock organization and started under Supervisor Jon Kaiman. It was approved in 2011. We need more.
It is time for a change.
Mary Kay Barket will bring real solutions and balance to a Town Council that needs a Manhasset resident on the board. Mary Kay is an experienced actuary and business owner who would ensure our tax dollars are well spent and will hold the line on tax increases. She has been a passionate volunteer for many charitable causes—let’s put her to work for Manhasset and the Town of North Hempstead.
Jennifer DeSena
Vote For Barket
I wish to encourage residents who reside in District 4 to vote for Mary Kay Barket. (District 4 includes all the unincorporated areas of Manhasset: the Strathmores, Norgate, Terrace Manor, the Town Area (Manhasset Park), Spinney Hill, Bayview, and Shorehaven along with the Villages of Kings Point, Great Neck, Kensington, Thomaston, Roslyn, Roslyn, Estates and North Hills.)
Mary Kay Barket will bring a fresh, innovative new voice to our Town Council, with her enthusiasm, personal interest in the area in which she lives and represents, and a strong voice in checking the rise in local taxes.
Mrs. Barket will take credit only for her accomplishments.
Plandome Road stores, their appearance, parking, and pedestrian safety all need serious attention. Stores are empty, many are poorly cared for, parking is a perennial nightmare, walking and crossing Plandome Road is down-right dangerous. Mary Kay will encourage new businesses; support current stores to improve their appearances, and find innovative answers to parking and pedestrian safety. In other words, Mary Kay Barket will work for Manhasset and all the areas she will represent to improve the quality of life for our local citizens.
Our taxes are through the roof and Ms. Kaplan has voted herself and staff a big raise.
Mary Kay Barket will vote for REAL fiscal restraint by voting to rescind those raises so that the budget will allow for an adequate workforce in Town Hall.
On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, just a little over two weeks from now. Vote for Mary Kay Barket. You will not regret it.
Valery Rodi
