Hempstead Town Notebook: Election Day, Senior ID Card Objection

Vote This Week

Election Day is this Tuesday, Nov. 8. Click here to find your polling station.

Races in the Town of Hempstead Include:

• Town Supervisor: Kate Murray (R) vs. Gary Port (D)
• Town Clerk: Mark Bonilla (R) vs. Steve Anchin (D)
• Receiver of Taxes: Donald Clavin (R) vs. Wilton Robinson (D)
• 2nd Councilmanic District: Edward Ambrosino (R) vs. Patricia Locurcio (D)
• 3rd Councilmanic District: James Darcy (R) vs. Owen Rumelt (D)
• 5th Councilmanic District: Angie Cullin (R) vs. Claudia Borecky (D)

Democratic Candidate Questions Senior ID Cards

Early in October, it was announced that the Town of Hempstead had begun offering free identification cards for senior citizens. Many senior citizens have physical ailments that can potentially put them at risk in certain situations. In an emergency, a town Senior ID card may help medical technicians to quickly determine how to treat a particular person, given their allergies and other related information.

This week, Steve Anchin, the Democratic candidate for Hempstead Town Clerk, said he is concerned with the town issuing the aforementioned senior ID cards. Anchin charges that Town of Hempstead Clerk Mark Bonilla may be issuing dangerous identification cards to Hempstead’s senior citizens.

“What makes these seemingly innocent identification cards particularly hazardous is that medical data and possibly prescription information are to be placed on the cards without them being updated,” Anchin said. “With seniors, medical information can be modified quickly and are always subject to frequent changes."

Town Announces Flu Immunization Program

The Town of Hempstead has announced that registration has begun for the annual Senior Citizen Seasonal Flu Immunization Program. The town is partnering with Nassau University Medical Center and South Nassau Communities Hospital to offer flu vaccinations for senior residents, age 60 or older, at several town locations.

Registration is ongoing at several Town of Hempstead senior centers. Seniors are being asked to register a week prior to receiving their immunization. Flu vaccines are provided with no out-of-pocket cost to the seniors. The administrating hospital will bill insurance companies, however, there will be no co-payments for those receiving flu shots.

Immunizations will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as follows:

• Wednesday, Nov. 9, Wantagh Senior Center, 1150 Seamans Neck Road, Wantagh, 785-8505
• Monday, Nov. 14, Levittown Senior Center, 555 North Newbridge Road, Levittown, 433-5454
• Tuesday, Nov. 22, Franklin Square Senior Center, 1182 Martha Place, Franklin Square, 328-3010
• Tuesday, Nov. 29, Merrick Senior Center, 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick, 868-4777

For more information, call the Department of Senior Enrichment at (516) 485-8100.