Editorial: Judi Bosworth for North Hempstead supervisor
Judi Bosworth, a candidate for North Hempstead Supervisor, poses for a photo in Carle Place. (May 28, 2013) Credit: Mike Stobe
It’s been a decade since the North Hempstead town supervisor was anyone but Jon Kaiman, an energetic technocrat not known for tolerating opposition. Kaiman has stepped down to take on two new posts on behalf of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo: chairman of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority and czar of Long Island’s Sandy recovery.
Seeking to replace him are Judi Bosworth, 65, a Democratic Nassau County legislator from Great Neck, and Dina De Giorgio, 45, of Port Washington, a Republican in her first term as a town councilwoman.
Bosworth has worked across party lines during her 12 years on the legislature and before that served as president of the Great Neck school board. She has managerial experience and expertise to deal with budgets. Most important, she knows how to hear people out. Her grasp of the shared responsibilities of the town and the county — for roads and parks, among other areas — would bring invaluable insight to the supervisor’s office.
De Giorgio, a lawyer, has been an advocate for her Port Washington district, blocking an unpopular downtown parking expansion — but in a style that has been adversarial.
She has formed a committee to consider alternatives to a parking garage and should push the initiative, rather than allow plans to fall victim to forces that want to keep outsiders out. She also has good suggestions, including having building department filings done electronically.
Bosworth understands the longstanding problems with the town building department: It’s slow, understaffed and unfriendly to applicants. Because of her experience mediating conflicting interests, she’s in a position to change the department’s culture.
She would act as a balm after Kaiman’s strident style.
Newsday endorses Bosworth.
