After a group of high-ranking North Hempstead Democrats informally met last Tuesday to endorse him to succeed former North Hempstead Democratic Party chair Gerard Terry, John Ryan said even he thinks they are going “a little out of the box” with his selection.
“I’m not a government person but they feel I’m right from a grass roots point of view,” Ryan said. “The purpose I got selected is they are looking for a community leader and for somebody who has the ability to organize things, which I have done in the past.”
Terry, a longtime Democratic political operative in North Hempstead, resigned on Feb. 1 as chairman of the town’s Democratic Party.
His decision came in the wake of a Jan. 31 Newsday report showing Terry owes $1.4 million in combined state and federal back taxes, has been involved in five lawsuits with unsatisfied judgments totaling $190,000, and had his attorney registration lapse for a period of three years.
Ryan, 63, of Great Neck, said he began getting involved with the Democratic Party in 2007 serving as “legislative district leader” after North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth was elected to the 10th legislative district seat.
He said his role was to serve as a “community liaison” between Bosworth and her constituents.
Bosworth said Ryan is a “wonderful community leader” and “would bring so much to our town committee in terms of working together corroboratively, and in terms of encouraging people to be part of this great process.”
Ryan, who was at the informal meeting of the executive committee of North Hempstead Democrats, said he understands what the town Democrats are hoping to achieve.
“The purpose of the committee is to get good Democrats elected and focus on that,” he said. “And to get younger people involved on a greater scale.”
The North Hempstead Democratic executive committee would need to vote on Ryan’s appointment at a convention held by Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs.
Ryan, who is senior vice president of investments and a certified long-term care specialist with Janney Montgomery Scott LLC in Garden City, said usually a replacement would be chosen within 30 days, but since the convention is normally held in May, the party may decide to wait before voting on his appointment.
“Any situation could be adjusted to what benefits everybody but it may not be possible to get people together in March,” he said. “Between now and May, when they have the actual convention, it should become official.”
Ryan’s currently works for the town as a consultant to its senior programs.
Part of his duties, which see him earn $30,000 per year, include hosting a weekly radio program dedicated to senior citizen issues and lecturing seniors for Project SAFE, or Seniors Against Financial Exploitation.
Ryan is a former president of the Great Neck Rotary Club and past deputy governor and assistant governor of Rotary District 7255.
He currently serves as president of both the Great Neck Social Center and CLASP, Children’s Learning After School Program.
Ryan is also treasurer of the Great Neck Democratic Club and co-founder of the Great Neck Business Circle.
He said his experience working with multiple groups is something he can bring to the town’s Democratic Party.
“The town is looking for collaborative work or everybody working together and not just individuals,” Ryan said. “Their goal is to get everyone involved and passionate about the issues.”
Efforts to reach Jacobs were unavailing.
Reach reporter Joe Nikic by e-mail at jnikic@theislandnow.com, by phone at 516.307.1045 x203. Also follow us on Twitter @joenikic and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
