Don Clavin Announces Transition Team, Including Peter King

Speaking at Hofstra University this morning, Hempstead Town Supervisor-elect Don Clavin announced his transition team, which will help him set his administration's agenda, priorities and policies. Clavin named Hempstead Village Attorney Cherice Vanderhall (who lost her bid against Nassau County Legislator Kevan Abrahams) and Congressman Peter King as co-chairs of the transition team.

“I am eager to work with this group of dedicated individuals who are committed to delivering on the promise of the Town of Hempstead’s government,” said Clavin. “Bringing together individuals from an array of backgrounds, different geographic areas and a host of divergent industries and fields of expertise will help to facilitate a smooth transition in the town and a comprehensive agenda for my administration.”

Clavin has already laid out a list of priorities he wants his transition team to focus on. They include: revamping the Building Department’s operations, increasing road repaving projects, fostering an environment conducive to sustainable growth and reasonable development, updating the town’s Building Code, pursuing an aggressive downtown revitalization agenda, enhancing parks, embracing intergovernmental cooperation, ensuring the purity of groundwater and drinking water, as well as enhancing online transactions and improving accessibility to the town’s offerings on the internet.

Additionally, Clavin indicated his commitment to sustainable development at the HUB surrounding the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, along with the priority of increasing intergovernmental cooperation in an effort to maximize efficiencies and reduce costs which are borne by taxpayers. Clavin also said that he and his team are committed to increasing opportunities for women and minorities in government.

“I’ve worked collaboratively with Don Clavin, and he shares my dedication to public service,” said King. “Don cares, listens and gets the job done. We joined forces to provide tax relief to the town’s residents who were confronted with limits on federal income tax deductions. I am eager to explore new ways in which various levels of government can continue to provide meaningful relief for taxpayers.”

There is a long list of people who will serve on Clavin’s transition team, and it includes business and union leaders, police officers, local government officials and more. They are: Bishop William Watson, Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky, Bishop David Gates, Rabbi Shimon Kramer, CSEA Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte, CSEA Local 880 President Theresa Kohutka, Nassau County Superior Officers Association President Kevin Black, Nassau County Detectives Association President John Wighaus, Nassau County PBA President James McDermott, Freeport PBA President Shawn Randall, Long Island Association President and CEO Kevin Law, Long Island Builders Institute CEO Mitch Pally, Association for a Better Long Island Executive Director Kyle Strober, Association for a Better Long Island President Laureen Harris, Blumenfeld Development Group President Ed Blumenfeld, Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz, Bolla Management Corporation President Harry Singh, HAB Bank Senior Executive Vice President Rizwan Quereshi, Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital Vice Chairman Anthony Cancellieri, Hispanic Brotherhood Executive Director Margarita Grasing, Circulo de Hispanidad Executive Director Gil Bernardino, Congressman Peter King, former Hempstead Town Supervisor Rich Guardino, Hempstead Village Attorney Cherice Vanderhall, Assemblywoman Missy Miller, Rockville Centre Mayor Fran Murray, Cedarhurst Mayor Ben Weinstock, Lawrence Village Deputy Mayor Michael Fragin, Levittown Public Library Board Vice President Steve Dalton, Executive Director of Nassau County Office of Veterans Affairs Ralph Esposito, General Counsel of Nassau Regional Off Track Betting Corporation Arthur Walsh, Long Island Mid-Suffolk Business Action Co-President Richard Bivone, Alure Home Improvement President Sal Ferro, Hug Real Estate Owner Tom Hug, Merrick civic leader Rita Kestenbaum, Salisbury Community Leader Helen Meittinis, Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development Chairperson Sandra Smith, Elmont High School PTSA Past President Tiffany Capers, former Senator Chuck Fuschillo, former Senator Elaine Phillips, Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Rich Nicolello, Hempstead Town Senior Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Town Councilmen Bruce Blakeman, Anthony D’Esposito, Dennis Dunne and Tom Muscarella, Town Councilman-elect Chris Carini, Town Clerk-elect Kate Murray, Receiver of Taxes-elect Jeanine Driscoll.

The committee, which is still under formation, anticipates adding other individuals with appropriate interest and expertise.

“I want to thank the members of my transition team for their guidance, community spirit and willingness to serve our residents,” said Clavin. “I know that these individuals will help me to shape policies and priorities that will reflect the best interests of the neighbors who call Hempstead Town home.”