The fifth district council seat in the Town of North Hempstead, recently vacated by Tony D'Urso, is being contested by Republican Jim McHugh and Democrat Lee Seeman. The district includes part of Great Neck (the Village of Lake Success and the western half of the Great Neck peninsula, north to and including the Village of Saddle Rock) and Floral Park Centre, the portion of the Village of Floral Park in the town, the unincorporated areas of New Hyde Park and portions of Herricks. Elections are Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Having lived in New Hyde Park, in an unincorporated area, for 17 years, to Jim McHugh, "the town is my government." Fifteen years ago he began his involvement with local civic associations, first as a member and then as president and executive board member of the Parks Civic Association for New Hyde Park/Garden City Park. And as civic association liaison to the Town of North Hempstead, attending almost every meeting, he is proud to say that he "got to know the entire town."

Mr. McHugh told the Great Neck Record that his work "with the civics" gave him a "great scope of the whole area." He was quick to note that he has "been there (at town meetings) through three administrations." His years of experience, said Mr. McHugh, have provided him with "a knowledge of how the town board operates ... I even know behind scenes activities ... I know the town commissioners and I have relationships with them, I have already worked with them."

Jim McHugh says that his expertise is really in zoning and traffic. "I read all traffic studies; I have a local expertise, and because we border Queens we have to take other things into consideration, such as parking." Each area, he said, comes with its own set of problems, and he reports that he has "dealt with regional problems in the civics ... it came with the territory as civic president ... you had to be a problem solver." Mr. McHugh also said that he is "used to dealing with diverse groups and in the civics we could get all different groups to work together on regional issues."

In addition to his work with the town, "as a civic leader," Mr. McHugh got to know Great Neck through the long town meetings and through his work with Lake Success on area committees dealing with environmental issues and highway construction. He spent many years on the Lockheed-Martin Task Force, working with Lake Success Mayor Robert Bernstein and Lake Success residents.

Jim McHugh, professionally a pharmacist at Jamaica Hospital, has also been involved as an honorary member of the Floral Park Center Civic Association and a member of the town's Environmental Legacy Fund Advisory Review Committee and Open Spaces Subcommittee.

As for the future, he would like to concentrate on building codes and "press for a little more enforcement of our codes, for safety reasons." He said that he believes that the town needs a separate commissioner to focus on code enforcement and that "more resources are needed."

He would also like to see more beautification efforts, such as more maintenance of the traffic islands in New Hyde Park.

Mr. McHugh also addressed what he sees as a "neglect" of the villages. If elected, he would like to meet regularly with local mayors, "for a better rapport, so the village doesn't feel so disconnected." He feels that the new councilmanic districts go a long way in helping in this area. "With councilmanic districts there is more accountability," he said, adding, "it's easier to get to know individuals."

Mr. McHugh also believes that, with councilmanic districts, since you do not run town-wide, these districts are "economically" better, allowing for a "broader scope of candidates who bring different talents."

"I have worked so hard for other people, all over the world, for so many years and now, if elected, I will be able to represent people directly," stated Lee Seeman in a recent interview with the Record. "I will be there for everyone and I would truly enjoy this opportunity."

A 50-year Great Neck resident, Ms. Seeman is determined to "help to continue to bring good government to this town ... and continue to bring forward Tony D'Urso's programs."

With a long list of political and governmental involvement over the years, and strong liaisons with a wide variety of residents and the business community, Lee Seeman is now busy spending time driving around the entire district, looking at business areas and the residential community, to see what she can bring to each segment. The fifth town council district encompasses parts of Great Neck and New Hyde Park.

"I have been a key leader in building the North Hempstead Democratic Party going back to 1957, helping to build the party and elect good candidates, " she noted.

Ms. Seeman, a New York State Democratic committeewoman for the 16th Assembly District (working with Tom DiNapoli) and a Democratic zone leader and Nassau County committeewoman since 1957, is quite proud of the fact that she enjoys "good relations with elected officials at every level," from the villages to the town to state and federal government officials, "on both sides of the aisle." A member of the New York State Democratic Committee's executive committee, she has been a delegate to three national conventions.

"I know the workings of government at every level," Ms. Seeman emphasized.

For many years she has been a member of the United States Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad, first appointed and then re-appointed by President Bill Clinton and then re-appointed by President George W. Bush. She is equally proud of her position as a trustee of the W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem, "where Jews, Muslims and Christians can come to study and exchange ideas."

And with "friendships and good working relations with a wide variety of residents in the entire district," Ms. Seeman is anxious become a town council member and delve into helping the entire district. "I am anxious to bring the same type of innovations and enhancements to the quality of life issues that I have worked on in Great Neck to my fellow town residents in New Hyde Park," she stated.

A 30-year member of the Great Neck Chamber of Commerce, and long-time chamber program director, Lee Seeman is proud of the "unique, innovative programs" she has developed for the business community. She is especially proud of the programs that have "fostered good relations" between the Persian community and the community at large.

Professionally, Ms. Seeman is a local insurance broker with Tri-Northern Insurance.

If elected, she will "work to promote quality of life through historic preservation and environmental protection." And she believes that affordable housing, for people such as local firefighters, would be a real asset to the town.

"With my background I know I can do a good job for all of my constituents," said Lee Seeman. "And very important, I am responsive to people; I will be there for everyone."