Jennifer S. DeSena for North Hempstead Town supervisor

In her first term, when she made her debut as an elected public official, Jennifer S. DeSena had difficulty getting her agenda implemented. But in her second term, as she learned the ropes, DeSena, who is a registered Democrat but runs on the Republican line, has had a smoother path, especially with a Republican majority at her side.

DeSena, who lives in Manhasset, has used that time to make some progress on some of the more significant issues facing the town, particularly the long-maligned building department. She is working to digitize town building department records, quicken the permitting and appeals processes and improve communication, and has brought in some new leadership. Those are solid initial steps — but more needs to be done.

DeSena also has begun to upgrade town parks and she revamped the town-owned Harbor Links Golf Course, establishing a new partnership there that increases the rent and revenue the town receives. And last year, she finally jump-started the expansion of the Port Washington rail yard for the Long Island Rail Road — an effort that was stalled for more than 15 years.

But DeSena unfortunately continues to allow politics to seep into town obligations, most recently by allocating paving projects in ways that seemed to disfavor known Democratic areas, while providing politically purple districts more attention. And some residents have complained DeSena isn't responsive to constituent concerns. 

DeSena, 56, did not sit down with Newsday Opinion for an interview, and therefore did not respond to those questions and others.

Port Washington Democrat Dave Kerpen is a marketing entrepreneur who enthusiastically trumpets big ideas, such as improving North Hempstead Beach Park by adding restaurants, a youth sports facility or a minor league stadium for an independent or Banana Ball baseball team. Kerpen says eliminating waste and cronyism and better utilizing technology can reduce town spending to the point where he eventually could eliminate town taxes altogether. He pledges not to raise taxes, to respond to all resident emails and to pave roads equally.

Kerpen, 49, criticizes the building department but lacks a detailed reform plan, saying he'd start self-certification for permitting and would look to move employees out of the department if they're not aligned with his desired culture shift. On some key issues, including roads, infrastructure and economic development, Kerpen mostly focuses on the parts of town he knows best, like Port Washington and Great Neck. On other issues, such as LIRR scheduling and the needed rail yard expansion, he's not familiar enough with the challenges. Kerpen makes big promises, but lacks the knowledge, depth and understanding of how to execute them.

Newsday Opinion endorses DeSena.