As North Hempstead Town Councilman Tony D'Urso prepares to move and step down from his seat in the 5th town district, three candidates have announced intentions to run for the Democratic nomination for the November election. New York State 16th District Democratic Committeewoman Lee Seeman has been touted as a frontrunner, but at the Great Neck Village Officials Association meeting last Wednesday evening, April 21, both Town Director of Legislative Affairs Rafe Lieber and former Russell Gardens mayor, Dan Nachmanoff, threw their hats into the ring.

However, as he announced his plans to run, Mr. Lieber noted that he would bow to the party's choice. Mr. Lieber said that he would support whichever candidate is chosen by the Democrats; he would not run in a primary.

According to Joe Galante, town Democratic leader, the party will screen potential candidates during the next few weeks, as June 1 is the Nassau County Democratic convention and all Democratic candidates running this year will be nominated. As for the upcoming town vacancy, Mr. Galante noted that there are some "very good potential candidates" and he is certain that the Democrats "will come out with the best candidate and everyone will get behind that person."

Delving further into the issue, Mr. Galante stated that he believes "Lee has all the qualities one would look for in a councilperson," with her extensive community involvement. He added that "a councilperson must have a good pulse of community and experience in the trenches, working with the issues ... and Lee certainly fits the bill."

As for Mr. Lieber, Mr. Galante said that "Rafe has worked hard for the community and for the town, doing a wonderful job for Jon (Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman)." Mr. Galante said that he could not comment on Dr. Nachmanoff, since, as of press time, he had not heard from him.

Again, Mr. Galante stressed that "Party leaders will choose the best candidate."

Mr. Galante also told the Record that he does not anticipate Mr. D'Urso stepping down before August or September. The party leader does not anticipate anyone filling the vacant spot until the November election.

The following are the statements from the three candidates.

Rafe Lieber, a resident of the Village of Great Neck Plaza for over 24 years, has worked for United States Congressman Gary Ackerman, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and currently for North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman.

"I am seeking the nomination to run for this seat because I grew up in Great Neck and this community means a great deal to me. I feel I have the experience in local government to get the job done," said Lieber. "I have been with the Town since Supervisor Kaiman took office and I am well versed on all of the issues that face North Hempstead --- specifically Great Neck, North New Hyde Park and Herricks."

Aside from Mr. Lieber's work in town government, he serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Great Neck Chamber of Commerce, a member of Temple Emanuel, a member of the New Hyde Park Cellini Lodge, a member of the New York State Urban and Community Forestry Council and Long Island ReLeaf (a local environmental advocacy group). He also serves as the executive director of the North Hempstead Democratic Committee, the executive director of the Great Neck Democratic Club and the former president of the Young Democrats of Nassau County.

While he is seeking the nomination from the North Hempstead Democratic Committee, Mr. Lieber has publicly stated that, if not selected, he will abide by the decision of the Democratic leadership and support whomever is the designee.

Mr. Lieber lives in Great Neck Plaza with his wife Jennifer.

Dan Nachmanoff also announced that he intends to run for the seat on the town council being vacated by Tony D'Urso this summer.

Said Dr. Nachmanoff, "This is a unique opportunity to elect a town legislator from Great Neck. We have not had a town representative from Great Neck with the exception of town supervisor, in the past 20 years."

Dr. Nachmanoff stated that he has the experience, time and interest that this job requires. He has been involved for the past 30 years in local matters as president of the Russell Gardens Association, has served as a trustee of the Village of Russell Gardens, six years as mayor of Russell Gardens, and as president of the Great Neck Village Officials Association. Dr. Nachmanoff believes that these positions have given him "broad experience in local government, budgets, roads, parks, zoning and general constituent services" and that he can bring that "practical experience to the town board for the benefit of all the residents of the Great Neck peninsula."

Lee Seeman states that she is "very familiar with the North Hempstead Town Council from my leadership in the Democratic Party, seeking and helping to elect good, honest and hard-working men and women with knowledge of the district."

Ms. Seeman also spoke of her work as program director of the Great Neck Chamber of Commerce, where, "over a long period of time I presented viewpoints of both political parties and many other community leaders." She added that this work "served to explain and educate the public on issues covering a broad spectrum of public interests."

President Bill Clinton appointed Ms. Seeman a member of the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad, which she says is "an endeavor of personal interest to many residents of the district." In this position, she participated in efforts to erect a monument in Poland to those lost in the Holocaust. Re-appointed by President George W. Bush, Ms. Seeman is now engaged in a similar project in Estonia.

As a trustee of the W.F. Albright Institute for Archaeological Research in Jerusalem, Ms. Seeman has "endeavored to bring to public attention rewarding efforts of the historical participation of American academics and their archaeological programs in the Middle East."

Ms. Seeman told the Record: "It is an honor to be a Democratic candidate for the town council. If elected I would fulfill my duty to serve the council, the Town of North Hempstead and the general public with diligence and integrity."

When contacted, North Hempstead Town Republican Leader Peter Cavallaro said that it was his understanding that Councilman Anthony D'Urso would not step down until August and that the seat he now occupies on the town board would be left open until the November election. Cavallaro added that the North Hempstead Republican committee is in the process of screening candidates from that district to run for that seat.