The Town of Hempstead board appointed Ed Ambrosino to succeed Joseph Kearney of Garden City, former councilman of the 2nd District who immediately retired March 25 after serving for 14 years.

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Marano, who's known Ambrosino since he was a little boy, swore in Ambrosino, a lawyer from North Valley Stream, during a special meeting last Friday at the town meeting Pavilion.

Úquot;I will look for inspiration in the honorable individuals who preceded me in this office. Since the early 1960s, four men have served this office with distinction. I hope that I may serve with the wisdom of Joseph Muscarella, the dedication of Joseph Cairo, the energy of Joseph Ra and the charisma of Joseph Kearney,Úquot; Ambrosino said.

Kearney, who joined the town board in 1989, told the Garden City Life that the effort of the campaign at this point in his life is something that he really wasn't looking forward to doing. Úquot;It would've been a commitment of at least nine months and I just did not feel that at this point in my life it was a commitment I was willing to make,Úquot; he said. He was re-elected a member of the board in the newly constituted 2nd District in the November 2000 general election.

Úquot;My children are grown now - my daughter will marry this year. We bought a place in Kentucky a couple of years ago that I go to maybe once or twice a year. I was looking to getting down there more often. My wife has several show horses that she competes with down in places like Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. I went to one last year and would like to get to go to more this year,Úquot; he added.

As far as his thoughts on Ambrosino, Kearney said, Úquot;I could not be happier with the person who succeeded me and I'm sure he'll run a very hard campaign. I think his hard work and efforts will win the support of the voters in November. He's really a fine young man who's extremely bright and articulate. He'll serve the people of the 2nd District very well.Úquot;

Local Democrats, including Eleanor Sciglibaglio, Democratic committee chairperson, again criticized the process in which the board appoints successors. Úquot;Even while our country is engaged in military action to bring democracy to the people of Iraq, 78,167 people in the 2nd Councilmanic District are being denied their right by the majority of this board to vote for their district representative,Úquot; she said.

Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, the lone Democrat on the board, noted, Úquot;Again we are at a town board meeting embarking on a process that is a threat to our democracy,Úquot; she said.

Goosby said she would not vote in favor of appointing Ambrosino or Seaford lawyer Mark Bonilla, who was later sworn in as interim town clerk, a position that's been vacant since Supervisor Kate Murray replaced Rich Guardino, who resigned to take a position at Hofstra University.

Úquot;These council members are not accountable to anyone in the 2nd District so how can we decide who will be their representative? This defeats the purpose of councilmanic districts. Residents should have the right to swiftly cast votes ... This is a charade and a slap in the face of democracy,Úquot; Goosby added.

Anthony Santino, who represents the 4th Councilmanic District, said Goosby neglected to mention, Úquot;As I reminded her in January when we appointed Supervisor Kate Murray,Úquot; that the process which the town board is using is in strict accordance with New York State law.

The law, Santino said, does not offer the board any other options except to either appoint someone for the interim or leave the position vacant until the November election.

Úquot;We cannot hold a special election because it's not permitted by New York State law. If we left the position vacant, that would leave the 2nd District with no representation until November,Úquot; Santino said. Úquot;This would be wrong. Residents of the 2nd District deserve to have representation and the people of the Town of Hempstead certainly deserve to have a town clerk.Úquot;

As Goosby and Santino continued to adamantly disagree with each other, he questioned whether or not the councilwoman voiced her disapproval for Úquot;the processÚquot; when Town of North Hempstead officials appointed Tom Dwyer to the town board when Noreen Banks stepped down. Úquot;Unless I missed something or Councilwoman Goosby went to the [Democratic-run] Town of North Hempstead town board and made a similar statement as she did today, unfortunately her commentary here must be viewed as a politically inspired speech,Úquot; he said.

Goosby, who acknowledged that state law does permit the board to appoint a successor, said, Úquot;It doesn't mean you should make it a continual procedure. You've used the law too much.Úquot; Noting she holds nothing against Ambrosino and Bonilla, Goosby reiterated, Úquot;It's the process I have a problem with.Úquot;

The 2nd Councilmanic District encompasses 40,721 households, including those in Garden City, Bellerose Terrace, Elmont, Floral Park, Garden City, Garden City South, the incorporated area of New Hyde Park, South Floral Park, Stewart Manor and portions of Bellerose, Franklin Square, North Valley Stream and West Hempstead.