At a podium in front of the Levittown Veterans Memorial Park in her hometown, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray announced her bid for re-election this November.

Senior Councilman Tony Santino introduced Murray, who will be running again on the Republican ticket.

"Over the past three years she has continued to lead Hempstead Town forward, improving our infrastructure, offering excellent programs and services and maintaining the quality of life that Hempstead Town residents have come to know, expect and which they certainly deserve," Santino said.

Santino continued on to mention the recent two Wall Street credit rating upgrades the Town of Hempstead received, giving it the highest credit rating of any town or county on Long Island.

"There is no better evidence of the great job that Kate Murray is doing managing Hempstead Town than Wall Street's recognition that Hempstead Town's finances have never been better thanks to her stewardship," Santino said to the crowd.

Flanked by council members Angie Cullin and Ed Ambrosino, Hempstead Town Clerk Mark Bonilla and Legislator Dennis Dunne Sr., Murray then took the podium, thanking supporters. She began by telling those in attendance that she wants to build upon a "legacy of solid finances and top notch services."

"We show the highest level of respect for our taxpayers, giving residents real value for their tax dollar," said Murray, who became the first woman elected to the position of supervisor in Hempstead Town's history. She was appointed in January of 2003 and officially elected to the position in November.

Murray also announced that this year she will propose a budget that freezes all Town taxes. The Town's share of resident's property tax dollar is $.10 of every dollar.

"When you consider the vast array of programs, services and facilities that are offered, Hempstead Town is the absolute best value in government," Murray explained. "Hempstead Town is providing vital services at the lowest possible cost."

When mentioning the Town's credit rating upgrades, Murray explained that this means the Town receives among the lowest interest rate cost when they borrow money or refinance debt.

"Because of the Town's strong financial position, we're also able to, at the same time, upgrade our parks, schools and beaches, even overhauling entire facilities," Murray said.

Murray also stated that Hempstead Town is helping local businesses and providing affordable homes for residents and younger people. This, Murray said, is one of her top priorities.

"I want our children to be able to raise families here and I'm working to make sure that seniors can remain in their local communities as well," Murray said. "My administration has accelerated the rate of construction of affordable single family homes."

Murray said she has aggressively taken up the fight to preserve the suburban character of the neighborhood.

"Constructing low-income housing in Levittown sumps, like the one right across the street, is not the way to improve our Town," she said, referring to the county's plans in this area.

The battle against absentee landlords is another issue Murray plans to tackle. Armed with new state legislation, an increased number of building inspectors and expanding work shifts for the inspectors, she is prepared to go after those who turn single-family homes into boarding houses.

"We are battling to make sure that our children can enjoy the same wonderful suburban experience that we enjoyed as well," Murray said.

Other quality of life issues Murray mentioned included her recent efforts to bring another cable television provider to the Town, "so that neighbors can have a cable TV choice."

Responding to a proposal by her opponent in the race, Nassau County Board of Assessors Chairman Harvey Levinson, to explore a county income tax Murray said, "Not one county in New York State has an income tax. What do the other counties know that Harvey Levinson doesn't get? I don't know. Government should work to reduce costs, not add another layer of tax burden on our residents."

However, Levinson said Murray misstated his position on his proposal. He said his proposal would eliminate school property taxes, have government appropriated STAR tax credits added to state aid for school districts and have renters, as well as owners, paying a county income tax. In addition, the assessor would also like to see a set commercial property school tax rate created throughout the county.

"I am asking government to keep an open mind and investigate this," Levinson said. "If the numbers are generated as I think they would be, then clearly an income tax would be a fair way to go."