Petition Drive Underway to 'Roll Back' Town of Hempstead Raises

An all-volunteer organization dubbed "Roll Back The Raises" (RBR) is kicking off a petition drive in order to gain support to put a referendum question on the Nov. 2 election ballot so town taxpayers can decide whether or not Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, Town Clerk Mark Bonilla and Town Board members should get their raises.

Board members approved pay raises for themselves in December; RBR members said this is the fifth time in a row that the board has approved raises for themselves after an election.

Supervisor Murray's salary increased from $140,000 to $150,000 (full-time); Town Clerk Mark Bonilla's salary increased from $95,500 to $106,500 (full-time); and Town Board salaries increased from $61,500 to 66,000 (part-time).

According to Hempstead Town spokesperson Susan Trenkle-Pokalsky, Hempstead Town government did not increase taxes this year and is actually collecting $1 million less in taxes "while continuing the high standard of programs."

"So to suggest that this government is anything but frugal would be completely inaccurate," Trenkle-Pokalsky said. "Our town board works really hard and deserves to be compensated."

Robert Young, president of the Bellmore-Merrick Democratic Club and an architect of the Roll Back The Raises push, said this campaign will "let the voices of the people be heard."

"In this time of great economic troubles for so many residents, our elected officials should be cutting taxes and preventing unnecessary future tax increases that force people out of their homes," Young said.

RBR members are working toward having all the signatures by Jan. 26. To join the campaign, e-mail RollBacktheRaises@gmail.com. Roll Back the Raises plans to present its petition to the town before Jan. 29.