Hempstead’s clubhouse antics continue during pandemic

The Island Now
Supervisor Gillen proposes law for Town of Hempstead to hold special elections for vacancies. (Photo courtesy of the Town of Hempstead)

COVID-19 has unleashed a catastrophic financial crisis.

Our economy is shuttered and it is uncertain when it will rebound. Leaders must make every effort to retain workers but also find ways to tighten spending.

Shockingly, as municipalities across the country are doing just that, Supervisor Don Clavin and the Hempstead Board saw fit on March 30 to gift $770,000 in gratuitous promotions, raises and new jobs for party favorites.

As unemployment in New York soars 360 percent and more than 10 million Americans are suddenly jobless with no income or health insurance, the last week of March was Christmastime in Hempstead.

Supervisor Don Clavin and Councilpersons Anthony D’Esposito, Dennis Dunne, Tom Muscarella, Bruce Blakeman, Chris Carini and Dorothy Goosby gave away almost $1 million taxpayer dollars to friends and family, while they thought no one was looking.

In an empty, debate-free meeting lasting ten minutes, they doled out political favors while hard-working residents wondered how they will pay their bills.

That’s right. As approximately 450,000 New Yorkers lined up for initial unemployment assistance, Clavin’s cronies, Hempstead GOP club leaders and their kids lined up at town hall to collect unbudgeted raises and promotions. This is not only morally repugnant; it is wildly irresponsible.

Compounding this outrageous and irresponsible betrayal is the equally dreadful March 30 vote to reduce the Town’s fund balance by more than 50 percent. The purpose of fund balance is to reserve “rainy-day” monies to see the town through difficult times, not to infuse cash for raises.

Years of Nassau GOP patronage and irresponsible hiring practices, aggravated further by last week’s largesse, have created a financial structure where payroll and related costs exceed 60 percent of the town’s budget.

Couple this with the town’s debt burden, the new fund balance will not be sufficient to cover just two months of required payroll and debt service – not to mention utilities and other important expenses.

However, during the 10-minute meeting there was no call for any discipline or restraint. There was no mention of how this might ultimately harm the unconnected rank and file. (The union had no objection; a leader got a raise!)

No one mentioned that the current comptroller inflated revenue projections for 2020. (This was a real concern I raised during the budget process, long before COVID- 19).

There was also no mention of shrinking mortgage recording tax fees, permit fees, recreation fees, a potential increase in health and pension costs and potential decreases in utility payments from cash-strapped consumers.

None mentioned how this reckless free-for-all may impact the town’s bond rating. This matters to residents because when our bond ratings plummet, town costs go up, leaving fewer dollars for infrastructure and services.

Not one board member mentioned Hempstead residents’ current pain before giving away their money. There was no voice of dissent speaking up for the rest of us.

Unfortunately, while the world suffers, we will continue to witness and feel the agony of the dire fiscal consequences of greasing Clavin pals like former Parks Commissioner Dan Lino’s daughter and Clavin’s fellow Garden City GOP club leader, among others.

The board’s corrupt fiscal debauchery puts all residents at risk. It seems better days are back for cronies, bitter days ahead for taxpayers.

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