North Hempstead Town Tax Receiver Candidates: Meet Ron Rochester

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Voters in the Town of North Hempstead will head to the polls Nov. 5 to cast their ballots for receiver of taxes.

Republican challenger Ron Rochester will face Charles Berman, the incumbent Democrat who was first elected to the position in 2011 and is now in his third term.

The receiver oversees the yearly mailing of more than 180,000 tax bills, the transmission of 100,000 electronic bills to tax service groups, and the receipt and processing of more than 288,000 tax payments, including over 10,000 in-person payments made at Town Hall and at community collection sites.

Patch reached out to both candidates via email and/or Facebook to hear where they stand on important issues affecting the community.

Here are their responses.

Ron Rochester

• Age (as of Sept. 1): 63
• Town of residence: Port Washington
• Position sought: Receiver of taxes for the Town of North Hempstead.
• Party affiliation: I am a registered blank. The Republican Party contacted me and asked me to run under their party affiliation. I then met with the conservative party and they also asked me to run under their party affiliation. I will appear on both the Republican and the Conservative lines on the ballot.
• Family: I chose not to share any information on my family.
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No.
• Education: I graduated from Chaminade High School and then earned a bachelor of science degree with a major in accounting from Fordham University, where I was elected to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. I followed that with a masters of business administration, majoring in management advisory services/consulting accounting from the University of Southern California. I also obtained my CPA.
• Occupation: Forensic accountant, CPA, and a NYS licensed private investigator. I spent 25 years as a federal agent for the IRS in the criminal investigation division where I conducted criminal and administrative investigations involving money laundering, public integrity, governmental fraud, revenue crimes, organized crime activity and white collar crime. I analyzed documents and records, and prepared reports to be used by government attorneys in criminal proceedings. Also, I have worked for many years in the private sector, as an assistant controller and auditor.
• Previous or current elected or appointed office: None.
• Campaign Website: RonRochester.com

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I would improve the current antiquated North Hempstead website. It is difficult to navigate. The site does not show your payments and amount of tax due and the site does not accurately identify lot numbers. I would improve the paper bill. It is confusing. Many senior citizens rely on it and the format is difficult to follow. I would improve the electronic payment system. I would offer taxpayers options to pay with Apple Pay, Auto-pay, Zelle, new electronic payment methods and pay with cellphone. I would offer an array of environmentally friendly paper e-billing and payment methods with quick electronic payment and receipts. I would explore partnering with local villages to develop joint collections. I would increase efficiency, reduce costs for taxpayers and add to existing "old technology" to conveniently pay through drive-through windows, extended hours and more satellite payment locations.

See also: North Hempstead Town Tax Receiver Candidates: Meet Charles Berman

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The other candidate seeking the post is the incumbent and I have proposed answers to issues which he has not properly addressed.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

The current receiver of taxes has failed the community by not properly addressing the many issues that I listed above. I would put the taxpayers of North Hempstead first.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The current receiver's office has a reputation for being a bit unfriendly and unhelpful. I would instruct staff to treat taxpayers who call and visit with courtesy and respect. I would be an advocate for taxpayers which the current receiver does not do. The county tax reassessment project is filled with errors and is a "back door tax hike" to many homeowners. I would expand taxpayer forums to help taxpayers navigate tax challenges and exemption applications.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I paid my way through Fordham University where I obtained a bachelors degree in accounting, I am a CPA, I won a fellowship to the University of Southern California where I got an MBA. I worked for 25 years as a federal agent for the IRS in the criminal investigation division, and I have worked for many years in the private sector, as an assistant controller and auditor. I have top secret security clearance. I handled millions of dollars in cash while handling investigations and not a penny was missing. I handled sensitive investigations involving political corruption.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

The best advice ever shared with me was what my parents told me: If you work hard, there is nothing you can’t accomplish in life.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I grew up on Long Island with very little money. I am a child of immigrants and I feel I have lived the American dream. I graduated from Chaminade High School with honors, I got a bachelors degree from Fordham University. I won a fellowship to the University of Southern California where I got an MBA. I obtained a CPA and I retired after spending 25 years as a federal agent. I even was inducted into the PYA Hall of Fame for my accomplishments as a volunteer coach for youth sports. Because I started with nothing, I will never take your money and your trust for granted.