A campaign fundraiser is being held for Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen in Roslyn Harbor on Monday – the night before the Democrat leads her first town meeting.
The event, “Winter Reception for Laura,” is hosted by Scott Rechler, CEO and chairman of RXR Realty.
For a ticket with a price tag ranging from $500 to $10,000, attendees can “meet and support incoming Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen,” according to the online invitation.
There is a spot on the online invitation for residents to check off that they’re not an employee of the Town of Hempstead.
The event will be held at the Engineers Country Club, a location RXR purchased in September.
Rechler has been involved in the proposed plans to build up the Nassau Hub around the Coliseum, according to Newsday.
Adam Haber, executive assistant for economic development and government efficiency, previously told Blank Slate Media the Hub development is a top priority for the Gillen administration.
Rechler did not previously donate to Gillen’s campaign, according to campaign finance records. Rechler did donate $10,000 to newly sworn in Nassau County Executive Laura Curran’s campaign.
Gillen spent a million dollars less than former Republican Supervisor Anthony Santino during her campaign. She raised a little over $94,000 in contributions and spent about $31,000, according to campaign finance records.
There are five ticket levels, an individual ticket for $500, friend for $1,000, honored guest for $2,5000, benefactor for $5,000 and patron for $10,000.
In a discussion in a public group Facebook, some residents said they’re wary of the campaign fundraiser so close to the start of Gillen’s term.
Others, though, said they don’t see issues with Gillen fundraising and don’t understand the negative feedback.
Gillen, who was sworn in on Monday, is the first Democrat to hold the position in over a century.
In a previous interview with Blank Slate Media, Gillen said she wanted to “deliver good government” to the people, as opposed to the “patronage mill” she said the town functioned as before.
