During a meeting of the Hempstead Town Board held on Jan. 28, Hempstead Town Supervisor Rich Guardino formally announced his resignation after serving as a town official in some capacity for over two decades. Following Guardino's resignation announcement earlier this month, the Republican Party officially nominated Kate Murray, then town clerk, to fill the position. As expected, Murray was voted in by the town board on Jan. 28, with board members voting 5-1 (there are five Republicans and one Democrat on the board).

Upon submitting his official resignation, Guardino said that he steps down with mixed emotions.

"I'd just like to take this opportunity [to thank] the residents of the Town of Hempstead, who have been so supportive in the years I have had the privilege and opportunity to be a public official," Guardino said. "I certainly appreciate the confidence of the residents in allowing me to serve. I'm very grateful to them."

Guardino also thanked his town board colleagues, recognizing them for their consistent dedication.

"We have a group of people who are extraordinarily dedicated individuals who have just done such a terrific job. Day in and day out they always put the residents in the Town of Hempstead first," he said. "I'm particularly proud of the fact that we've worked very well together. We've been able to reach a consensus [and] act in a bipartisan fashion [to] come together to help people throughout the Town of Hempstead in each and every district and try to improve the quality of life for all our residents. I think it's truly unique in government to have people working so closely together in the ability to get things done."

Complimenting Murray, Guardino noted that she has been a "terrific town clerk" and stressed his belief that she will make an excellent supervisor.

Following his official resignation, Murray announced her resignation as Hempstead Town Clerk. The board was then asked to vote on her appointment, following any pubic comment. Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, the sole Democrat on the town board, was the only councilmember voting against Murray's appointment to the position of town supervisor. The remaining five councilmembers, Joseph Kearney, James Darcy, Anthony Santino, Angie Cullin and Gary Hudes (all Republicans), voted in her favor. Prior to their voting, Goosby addressed the board.

"My comments today are not directed at Kate Murray personally or on her qualifications for supervisor. Instead I will address my comments at the process by which Kate Murray will be appointed," she said, questioning whether the appointment process is democratic.

"When an elected official, chosen by the people, vacates an elected office, the residents should have a right to swiftly cast votes to elect an individual who will assume the vacant elected office. Then and only then the person who takes the oath of office is backed by vote of the people - a right that we hold sacred, a right that preserves our freedom, a right that we have fought for and are willing to fight for again to protect and preserve our democracy."

Goosby added that in her opinion, the residents' right to democracy is "under siege." She said that the current state law regarding the appointment of a public official should be revisited.

"I ask the residents to stand with me and question the present process," she said. "I wish that my colleagues would join me by voting 'no' and calling for an immediate special election for town supervisor. Remember, you were elected by the people to serve. This is the United States of America where the government is of the people, for the people and by the people. Do not abuse the rights of the people."

Goosby concluded by saying she sincerely looks forward to working with Murray.

Following her official swearing in, Murray said she is honored and privileged to be named supervisor of America's largest township.

"I would like to thank the board for the confidence they have placed in me. I look forward to working with all the councilmembers in a bipartisan fashion for the benefit of each and every resident and each and every community in the Town of Hempstead," she said, noting that she makes that pledge publicly to Councilwoman Goosby, who accepted.

Murray also thanked Guardino for his leadership and superlative management.

"Continuing the excellent fiscal management that has earned the town the highest bond rating of any town or county on Long Island will be at the core of my governmental vision," she said. "At the same time, I intend to maintain and, where possible, expand the excellent services, programs and facilities that have come to distinguish our township as a top notch municipal government."

Murray, although just officially appointed on the 28th, said she began preparing immediately. She noted that she has been working with Guardino daily since her nomination and that the transition is going to be seamless.

"I've already plunged into some projects, I've met with the councilmembers, so we're really up and running already," she said. In regard to Goosby's comments, Murray said she is confident they will be able to work together in a bipartisan fashion.

"I have a great working relationship with Councilwoman Goosby and I have every intention and hope that we will continue to establish the good relationship that we've had over the past year," she said. "As a matter of fact, we met today; we're talking about different projects in her district. With regard to the appointment issue, the bottom line is, the voters get to vote in November and they have their choice. Democracy is alive and well."

Murray, who served as New York State Assemblywoman for the 19th District from 1998 until her election to the position of town clerk in 2001, will serve as supervisor until January 2004. To keep the position, she will have to be re-elected this November in a town-wide election.

Murray, a lifelong resident of Levittown, is the first woman to be named the chief executive of the Town of Hempstead. She was previously the first woman and first attorney ever elected to the position of Hempstead Town Clerk and the first woman and first Levittown native ever elected to represent the 19th Assembly District.

Prior to serving in the Assembly, Murray, as an assistant attorney general, was the Deputy Section Chief of the Criminal Justice Section where she handled prisoner legislation proceedings in New York City and Westchester County. Prior to that, Murray served as an advocate for Suffolk University Battered Women's Advocacy Project where she offered legal representation to victims of domestic violence. In January of 1999, she was named chair of the NYS Assembly Minority Task Force on Education Standards. Murray has long been active in community organizations and politics. She is a graduate of Boston College and Suffolk University Law School.