As the latest event in the string of historical occurrences in the Town of Hempstead that have taken place in the past year and a half, last week six council members were inducted as councilmen and women for individual districts within the town. Among those installed last Thursday was Garden City resident Joseph Kearney, who will serve in the second councilmanic district.

The division of the town, which is the largest township in the United States, into six districts came about as the result of a lawsuit which claimed that the at-large voting system the town previously used was racially discriminatory. Last January, the last of the town's appeals were exhausted and it was the court mandate that the Town of Hempstead be divided into six councilmanic districts, one consisting primarily of minorities.

The second councilmanic district, as it is now known, includes Garden City, Garden City South, Stewart Manor, West Hempstead, Elmont, Franklin Square, Floral Park, and Bellrose. Kearney, a Republican who has been on the town board since 1989 and is currently the senior councilmember on the board, defeated fellow incumbent, Democrat N. Scott Banks, for the right to represent this district.

Kearney was sworn into office by Nassau County Republican Party Chairman Joseph Mondello, a former presiding supervisor for the town. Mondello, who has not been a frequent visitor to the Town of Hempstead since his departure as presiding supervisor, was quite jovial as he inducted Kearney, laughing when he failed in his lighthearted attempt to get Kearney to swear to do everything he said.

Spirits were quite high at the induction ceremony, which was attended by many public officials from both parties, ranging from assembly members, to Nassau County legislators, to village trustees and mayors. While making the introductions, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Richard Guardino noted, "We have a wonderful partnership with our villages." Also in attendance, and earning an introduction was Keyspan Energy Chairman and CEO Robert Catell, another Garden City resident.

Kearney thanked Catell for being there, and extended a special thanks to Mondello, who he referred to as a friend and a mentor." He went on to thank all his supporters and those who helped to get him re-elected.

"This job is not easy, but it's good," said Kearney following his induction. "When it's with good people it can be fun, but one doesn't get here simply by himself. It's teamwork, it's hard work, it's commitment and dedication from so many people."

In addition Kearney thanked Monsignor George Deas, who he said has been "one of the most significant people in my life." Along with Deas, Kearney also noted the impact his family has had on his career, especially his wife Terri, without whom, he said, he would not be where he is. Kearney described his wife as, "a woman who is not afraid to work, a woman who is not afraid to love, and a woman who is not afraid to care."

Kearney said he looks forward to working with all the council members and welcomed back to the board, former board members Gary Hudes and Angie Cullin in addition to Tony Santino and new board member Jim Darcy, and who he called his, "good Democrat friend," Dorothy Goosby. Kearney vowed to work together with all the members of the town board "to do what's right for all the people in the Town of Hempstead." He added, "We will put partisanship aside, because, simply put, partisanship doesn't work. What works is collegiality, communication, and commitment to doing what's right for all the people of the Town of Hempstead. The people of the Town of Hempstead have a right to, and they deserve the best government that this board can give them." Kearney concluded by asking for the support and prayers from the residents of the Town of Hempstead.