Clavin says people are tired of 'bickering and the fighting'
Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin, who was sworn in during a inauguration ceremony this morning by his sister Valley Stream Justice Virginia Clavin Higgins, said that it is "time to govern."
“Election Day is over. ... We have a responsibility to the residents and there's a lot going on and a lot of opportunity. People are tired of bickering and the fighting,” Clavin said. “We’re going to make the town a good place. We’re going to look at every department, management to staffing and make sure they have tools necessary to provide the great services. We pledge we want residents to feel welcome when they come here.”
Clavin was sworn into office Jan. 1, but presided over a special town board meeting Tuesday, joined by Councilmen Bruce Blakeman, Thomas Muscarella and Chris Carini, who also started new terms.
Town Clerk Kate Murray, a former town supervisor, and Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll were also sworn into office.
Clavin led a sweep of the Republican ticket, narrowly defeating Democrat Laura Gillen in November. Nassau GOP chairman Joe Cairo called it “a dream team” of candidates taking back control of the supervisor seat.
He said after his election he reached out to Senior Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, the lone Democrat on the board, to promise a term of unity.
“We are a team. We will work together to ensure residents’ best interests are addressed,” Goosby said introducing Clavin. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep my eyes on you.”
Clavin pointed to the work of past supervisor Sen. Alfonse D’Amato and former board member Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford), who sat next to him at the Town Hall ceremony, as models of running the town and cutting through the noise of Washington. He vowed to work with the board to innovate and revamp town government. He noted opportunities to develop the Nassau Hub project and a $10 million state grant to redevelop downtown Baldwin.
“How you govern is with your colleagues. It’s 2020. It’s a new day — an opportunity for how government is functioning and how we can see things change in the Town of Hempstead,” Clavin said. “Don Clavin or any board member doesn’t do it by themselves.”
The ceremony was attended by several past town supervisors and state and county officials, including Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, District Attorney Madeline Singas and Lt. Gov Kathy Hochul.
“This is where people look to you directly. You can work with colleagues in local government and get things done,” Hochul said. “There is no greater opportunity to serve your fellow man. Elections occur, but on a day like today you begin to govern.”
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
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