The position of receiver of taxes for the Town of Hempstead, which has been left vacant since Angie Cullin, who formerly held the position, became a councilwoman in the beginning of January, was filled at Tuesday's Town of Hempstead Board meeting when Supervisor Richard Guardino announced the appointment of Donald X. Clavin, Jr. to that job.

Guardino described Clavin, a lifelong resident of Valley Stream, as "an outstanding member of the community" and, "a very accomplished attorney." The supervisor further noted that Clavin, who earned his Juris Doctor from Hofstra University in May 1996, has worked in both the private sector, most recently as trial counsel for plaintiffs in personal injury and medical malpractice law, and the public sector, serving as part-time legal counsel to the Assemblyman James Darcy until the assemblyman became Town of Hempstead Councilman in January. Clavin had also previously worked in the public sector as a legislative consultant for New York State Senator Norman Levy, and as an employee of the Nassau County Attorney in the Bureau of Torts and Civil Rights Litigation.

"It is gratifying to see an individual with so much private-sector potential choosing to make his career in public service," said Guardino of the new receiver of taxes.

The receiver of taxes is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Office of Receiver of Taxes. This office collects taxes for 99 special districts and 33 school districts, and disburses the monies to school district treasuries without charge. Its other functions include billing and collection processes, encompassing complete banking, record maintenance, mail and accounting functions. The department also collects, free of charge, Nassau County taxes on properties within the town borders. Under state law, vacancies in the office of receiver are filled by the town board.

When the supervisor announced the appointment of Clavin, the sole Democratic member of the board, Dorothy Goosby, objected to the appointment, stating that she did not feel that Clavin had the educational or employment background to qualify him for this position. In a release sent out by the Town of Hempstead Democratic Committee, the chairman of the committee, Peter Ruffner stated, "There is nothing in his résumé to indicate any experience in management, accounting, taxation, finance, or banking; all qualifications necessary for a position that collects and distributes almost $2 billion a year in town, county, village, school, fire, library, and other special district property taxes. His only qualification appears to be his registration in the Republican Party." At the town board meeting Goosby added that she had sent the résumés of two people, who she felt were qualified, to the supervisor to be considered for this position.

Following the councilwoman's objections Councilman Anthony Santino said that he found it strange that Goosby would question the educational or employment background of Clavin when former Councilwoman Rita Kestenbaum, one of the candidates that Goosby recommended, had only a bachelor of arts degree and the only work experience listed on her résumé was her one year as a councilwoman. "It is somewhat disingenuous and unfair to Mr. Clavin to question his educational experience and his work experience when on both counts he is far superior to one of the people Councilwoman Goosby recommended," said Santino.

Following these statements, Goosby then questioned why, rather than appointing a person who already worked in the office of the receiver of taxes, a new person was brought in. Santino responded by asking Goosby, if she felt that a person should be promoted from within that department, why she did not recommend anyone who already worked in that office. Goosby said that she was not familiar with anyone from that department and then asked what was wrong with the other candidate she recommended. Guardino responded, "We feel, at this time, that Donald Clavin is the best choice."

Councilman James Darcy, who had previously worked with Clavin, said that he had an advantage over the rest of the board, in that he has known Clavin for most of his life, and went on to describe him as a, "troubleshooter with common sense and an uncanny ability to bring people together." Guardino added that the receiver of taxes needs to be an excellent administrator and he believes that Clavin has proven himself to be that.

"During her tenure Angie Cullin did a phenomenal job in improving operations in the tax office," Clavin stated following his appointment as receiver of taxes. "Systems have been updated. Resident inquiries are responded to quickly and efficiently. My goal is to bring the type of innovation and forward thinking to the office of receiver that Angie did." Clavin continued, "In this regard, I thank the town board for its confidence in me and look forward to working with its members for the benefit of our residents."

Clavin will serve as receiver of taxes until Dec. 31, 2001. The November 2001 election will determine who will hold that position beginning Jan. 1.