Hempstead Town Supervisor Proposes New Ethics Reforms

On Monday, Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen proposed a new set of ethics reforms that she hopes will make the town more transparent and remove corruption.

Gillen, a Democrat, said that the legislation would also improve the day-to-day operations of the town. The set of laws would end the practice of hiring the relatives of elected officials, require employees to disclose familial and romantic relationships with other Town employees to avoid conflicts of interest, and others.

“My goal is to remove conflicts of interest, potential conflicts of interest and even the appearance of impropriety for those who vote on town legislation and hold key decision making power,” said Gillen. “These proposals may seem like common-sense, but they are desperately needed to help safeguard and further strengthen the ethical standards that govern the daily business of our public officials.”

Gillen's laws would also prohibit elected officials and appointed staff members -- including commissioners, deputy commissioners, directors and appointed members sitting on the Town’s various boards and agencies -- from holding high-level or influential positions in a political party. Furthermore, political solicitations or discussions of fundraising activities between employees and their superiors on Town premises would be strictly and expressly forbidden.

The proposal also mandates that a special "whistleblower form" be made available online for any member of the general public, or any town employee, to confidentially submit allegations of ethics violations.

“My office has received dozens of anonymous tips and complaints from town employees who are afraid to come out of the shadows because of fears of reprisal,” Gillen said. “When an employee feels they have witnessed or have evidence of an ethics violation or misconduct, they should have every right to report it to the Town without fear of repercussions.”

Gillen's proposals received a cool reception from the Town Board which, with the exception of Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, is all Republican.

"The members of the Hempstead Town Board, both Democrat and Republican, have actively engaged in reforming our township’s ethics code," said Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney. "As in the past, proposed updates to our code will be shared with the Supervisor in the interest of transparency, and meaningful dialogue will be invited."

King Sweeney pointed to the ethics reforms the town has already enacted: putting Freedom of Information request forms online, requiring all contracts over $10,000 be displayed online, live-streaming Town Board meetings, putting agendas up online before meetings as part of the town's efforts towards "opening-up the doors of government to an unparalleled level of public scrutiny."

"New ideas will be coming out of our work to reform the town’s ethics code," King Sweeney said. "I expect to witness legislation that would prohibit town public officials from accepting campaign contributions from persons, businesses and other entities who do business, are being considered for business or could be impacted by local legislation that comes before the Hempstead Town Board."

Photo: Town of Hempstead