As the latest event in the string of historical occurrences in the Town of Hempstead that have taken place in the past year and a half, last week six council members were inducted as councilmen and women for individual districts within the town. Among those installed last Thursday was Levittown resident Gary Hudes, a Republican who will serve in the Sixth Councilmanic District and Angie Cullin, a Republican who will serve in the Fifth Councilmanic District.

The division of the town, which is the largest township in the United States, into six districts came about as the result of a lawsuit which claimed that the at-large voting system the town previously used was racially discriminatory. Last January, the last of the town's appeals were exhausted and it was the court mandate that the Town of Hempstead be divided into six councilmanic districts, one consisting primarily of minorities.

The Fifth Council District, as it is now known, includes Wantagh, North Wantagh, North Bellmore, Bellmore, Merrick, Seaford, and Lido Beach. Cullin defeated incumbent Democrat Rita Kestenbaum for the right to serve this district for a three-year term.

Hudes defeated Democrat Viki DeJong for the right to serve the Sixth Council District for a one-year term. This district encompasses Levittown, East Meadow, Salisbury, and North Merrick.

Spirits were quite high at the induction ceremony, which was attended by many public officials from both parties, ranging from Assembly members, to Nassau County legislators, to village trustees and mayors. The National Anthem was sung by Levittown resident Jessica Hudes, the daughter of Gary Hudes.

Hudes, who served on the town board for several months in 1999, was inducted by New York State Senator Charles Fuschillo. Hudes, following his induction spoke about how proud he is of his 20-year record as a community leader. Úquot;The job of town councilman is undoubtedly the opportunity of a lifetime,Úquot; he noted.

Hudes, in his year off from the town board continued to work closely with Supervisor Guardino and other town board members on various projects that he felt needed to be accomplished and worked very hard to ensure that he was returned to the town board. Úquot;This fabulous job enables me to continue to make positive differences in the community but on an even greater scale,Úquot; said Hudes at the induction ceremony. Úquot;Whether it's problems with juvenile vandalism, improvements in our vast parks system, or helping to control speeding cars down our neighborhood streets, I will serve this public well.Úquot;

During his campaign, Hudes was criticized for delivering recycling buckets by people who did not realize that he had bought those buckets himself and thought he had gotten them from the town and was using town resources in order to be elected. Referring to this Hudes joked, Úquot;And yes, to help the environment I'll certainly make time to deliver recycling buckets to families that need them.Úquot;

Hudes promised to continue his 20 year history of serving the public, noting, Úquot;I'm not a politician, but instead a public servant, just a guy from the neighborhood that likes to help people.Úquot; He continued on to say, Úquot;I absolutely love this job and promise to give this so-called 'part-time job' of councilman my usual eight-day-a-week, full-time effort.Úquot;

Congratulating his fellow councilmembers, Hudes said that he is looking forward to a productive year of Úquot;doing the right thing for each and every resident of the Town of Hempstead.Úquot;

Hudes concluded by thanking his wife Sheree, who he referred to as his, Úquot;best friend and greatest advisor,Úquot; adding Úquot;Together we make a great team and have three fantastic children.Úquot;

Cullin, who until her induction as councilwoman served as Town of Hempstead receiver of taxes, a position she has held since 1993, following a six-year tenure as the Town of Hempstead's first elected councilwoman, was sworn in by the Honorable Patricia Collins.

Úquot;I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve this great township once again as councilwoman,Úquot; said Cullin following her induction. Úquot;Serving as receiver of taxes was a real labor of love for me.Úquot; She added that she enjoyed every minute of her tenure as receiver and thanked her dedicated, loyal staff who worked with her while she served in that capacity.

Úquot;When the opportunity arose again for me to run for town board, I simply had to say yes, because it is as a member of this town board that I can get things done for the residents of the Town of Hempstead,Úquot; explained Cullin. Úquot;Those of you who remember me as a councilwoman before, who knew how hard I was fighting for the constituents of the Town of Hempstead, you ain't seen nothing yet.Úquot;

Cullin also thanked her family, stating, Úquot;You are the greatest blessing that God has ever given me. You make every day of my life sweet.

Úquot;Our town is in great shape. We have much to be proud of but so much more remains to be done,Úquot; concluded Cullin. Úquot;Thanks to the voters of the Fifth Council District, I have been given the opportunity to serve this township and let me assure you, I will give my all.Úquot;