In yet another chapter of the changes taking place in the Town of Hempstead, last week the board of elections determined the length of terms for the six newly created councilmanic districts.

Although after the initial election the terms will be four years, as they have been in the past for the Hempstead Town Board, in order to bring the schedule back to what it was, with staggered terms and elections taking place on the odd numbered years, after the first election three of the councilmembers will hold office for one year and three will hold office for three years before the next election. The board of elections held a lottery to determine in which districts the term would be one year and in which districts the terms would be three years.

The division of the Town, into six councilmanic districts came about following a lawsuit, which lasted over a decade, claiming that the at-large voting system in the municipality was racially discriminatory. The courts agreed with the plaintiffs, and United States District Court Judge John Gleeson ruled this past February that a special election to fill the six councilmanic seats would take place on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Judge Gleeson ruled that the decision regarding the length of the first term for councilmanic representatives, to be elected on Nov. 7, would be determined by the Nassau County Board of Elections. In order to make the determination as fair as possible, the board of elections used two raffle drums for the lottery. One drum contained balls numbered one through six, representing the council districts and the other drum contained three balls with the number three on them and three balls with the number one on them, representing the length of term. Deputy Commissioner of Elections for the Democratic Party, Joseph Galante and Republican Counsel Angelo Delligatti then alternated selecting the balls from the different drums.

The results of the lottery, which was held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 23, are as follows: districts which will have an initial term of one year are: 1, 4, and 6. Those elected for districts 2, 3, and 5 will serve an initial term of three years.

The decision about the length of the initial terms had to be made prior to Sept. 8, when, by Gleeson's ruling, the seats are officially considered vacant. It is only after that date that the candidates to fill those seats can be officially nominated, but for campaigning purposes the major parties have already unofficially nominated candidates.

In District 5, a three-year initial term will either be served by Republican candidate Angie M. Cullin, of Freeport, or Democratic candidate Rita Kestenbaum, of Bellmore. This district includes Wantagh, North Wantagh, North Bellmore, Bellmore, Merrick, Seaford, and Lido Beach. Kestenbaum is the incumbent for this district and Cullin, a former councilwoman, is the Receiver of Taxes for the Town of Hempstead.

In District 6, a one-year term will be served by either Democratic candidate Viki DeJong, of Westbury, or Republican candidate Gary Hudes, of Levittown. This district encompasses Levittown, East Meadow, Salisbury, and North Merrick. Although Hudes is a former councilman, there is no incumbent running in this district.

According to Galante, the deputy commissioner of elections for the Democratic administration, there were several representatives of each party at the lottery. "I think this was the best way possible," said Galante of the drawing. "Everybody seemed very happy with how it turned out, in terms of logistics. Not everybody was happy with the term of office they got, but at least they were happy that it was conducted properly."