Anthony D’Esposito sworn in for Hempstead Town Board

It was a family affair Tuesday for new Hempstead Town Board member Anthony D’Esposito of Island Park when he was appointed to the vacancy that occurred when former board member Anthony Santino was elected supervisor of the Republican-controlled town.

D’Esposito’s father, Stephen, is the Republican executive leader of Island Park and was promoted from general services commissioner two weeks ago to be Santino’s new $169,000-a-year chief of staff, retroactive to Jan. 1. His mother, Carmen, works in the town’s highway department.

Attending D’Esposito’s swearing-in was the unofficial godfather of Island Park, former U.S. Sen. Alfonse D’Amato. Island Park was D’Amato’s political home base when he launched his successful campaign for U.S. senate.

Anthony D’Esposito, a Republican on leave from his job as a New York City police detective, often accompanied Santino on campaign stops last fall.