Town Councilman Gary Hudes Announces He's Stepping Down

Town of Hempstead Councilman Gary Hudes has announced that in June he is planning on stepping down from the seat he has held since 1999.

Newsday reported Hudes' announcement. By stepping down in June instead of waiting until his term expires, Hudes is creating a vacancy on the board that the rest of the council will be able to fill. His replacement will serve out the remainder of his term, and then be able to run for a full term, if they so choose.

"Serving the residents of the 6th Councilmanic District and the Town of Hempstead has been a tremendous honor and I have been rewarded over and over again for 17 years with the support of our residents," said Hudes. "As a lifelong businessman specializing in customer service, I have brought that experience to all of those that I have had the pleasure to represent. I have often visited resident’s homes, personally meeting with them on the steps of their homes late at night or on Saturdays or Sundays in order to address local problems to the best of my ability. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving and fulfilling the promises I made to myself when I took office 17 years ago, to make a positive difference in peoples' lives and bring real common sense customer service to town government."

Hudes has been representing the town's Sixth District -- which includes Levittown and portions of Bellmore, Bethpage, East Meadow, Merrick, Seaford and Wantagh -- since July 1999, when he was appointed to the board. He won election that year and began his first full term in 2000. He has held the seat since.

A Levittown resident, Hudes, 61, owns a jewelry store in Bellmore, and has served as president of the Nassau County Council of Chambers of Commerce, the largest organization of small businesses in the area.

"Councilman Gary Hudes has been an effective voice for the residents whom he represents on the Hempstead Town Board," said Town Supervisor Anthony Santino, who has worked with Hudes for years. "He has improved the local quality-of-life for neighbors by combating graffiti, working to revitalize our downtowns and championing community beautification projects. He has been a great friend, as well as a thoughtful legislator, and his presence on the town board will be missed. I wish him well in his future endeavors."

During his years of public service, Hudes has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments and awards. They include being named Small Businessperson of the Year by the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, Man of the Year and then Honorary Life Member by the Nassau County Shields, Man of the Year by the School for Language and Communication Development, Citizen of the Year by the Bellmore Knights of Columbus and Small Businessman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores. He is also the recipient of the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores.

Photo: Courtesy Gary Hudes