Peterson Thanks the Voters
I would like to take this opportunity thank you, the residents of the Town of Hempstead, for the confidence you have shown in me and my administration by returning me to the office of supervisor for another two years. I will continue to work hard to maintain your support.
Things are certainly looking up here in America's largest township. For the sixth time in the last seven years there will be no increase in the town portion of your tax bill. I have managed this difficult task by freezing employee wages, reducing our full-time staff by 23 employees, and refinancing the town's long-term debt at a lower rate of interest.
Our economy is doing well, and for that reason many businesses are either establishing themselves here or relocating to our township. High on my agenda is attracting new businesses to increase our tax base.
To do that, I put together a team of town officials who can provide expertise to interested companies. I have promised to "fast track" applications, and I am working closely with the town's Industrial Development Agency to provide loans to qualifying enterprises.
In the next two years I expect to see a marked increase in our program of providing affordable first homes to lower-income residents, and of particular pride to me has been the expansion of our program to provide affordable housing for our senior residents so that they may continue to live here in suburbia, close to their families and friends.
In the past year, the Town of Hempstead has gone hi-tech with the establishment of our own web site at www.townofhempstead.org, where our residents on the Internet can access instant information about their local government 24 hours a day. The same 24-hour service is available by phone at 489-5000, by asking for the 24-hour town hall information line during the day, or simply by calling after business hours.
I have also implemented a new "Helpline" staffed by trained personnel with whom you may speak during business hours in order to get the help you need with any governmental problem. Call the Helpline at 489-6000.
As we move steadily toward the 21st century, the Town of Hempstead remains an ideal place to live and raise a family. We have maintained the suburban character of our tree-lined neighborhoods, and we continue to provide all the services you deserve and expect. I appreciate and thank you for the confidence you have shown. Let us together keep our township moving forward for generations to come.