The same questions were asked of both candidates running for Hempstead Town Supervisor, which is a two-year term. There is no limit to the number of terms a supervisor may serve. Incumbent Kate Murray is being challenged by Kevin Gorman. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Q: Where do you reside and how long have you lived there?

A: I live in Levittown. I was born and raised in Levittown. I received my primary and secondary education in Levittown Public Schools.

Q: What is your profession and family information?

A: In February of 1998, I became the first woman and first Levittowner elected to the New York State Assembly from the 19th district. In 2001, I was the first woman and the first attorney to be elected Hempstead Town Clerk. I became Hempstead Town Supervisor in January of 2003. I was the first woman elected to this position. I was re-elected in November of 2003 and November of 2005. Prior to my career in elective office, I was an Assistant Attorney General. I also served as an advocate at Suffolk University Law School's Battered Women's Advocacy Project.

Q: What party lines are you currently running on?

A:I am running on the Republican, Conservative and Independence lines.

Q: Are you involved in any specific community organizations?

A:I am a member of Levittown Kiwanis, the Levittown Historical Society, the Nassau County Bar Association, the Women's Bar Association, the Levittown Community Council, SPLASH (an organization dedicated to keeping waterways clean), Irish Americans in Government, the Sierra Club, Friends of the Hofstra Arboretum and the Levittown Property Owners Association. I am also a Board Member of the Bellmore Merrick Wellness Council.

Q: What are your reasons for running?

A: I start every workday by asking myself, "How can I improve the lives of Hempstead residents today?" I've worked to make positive contributions to our township, presenting fiscally responsible budgets, improving local parks, offering top-notch services and protecting the environment. I am seeking re-election because I know I can do many more things to improve the quality of life enjoyed by our residents.

Q: If elected, what are your goals for the Town of Hempstead? Which would you tackle first?

A: My foremost priority for my next term in office is to continue Hempstead's legacy of fiscal responsibility and taxpayer accountability. That's why I am presenting a budget that freezes all town taxes for 2008. This will be the second time in three years that I've held the line on taxes.

In addition, I have an aggressive environmental agenda. Adding to the town's solar powered facilities and commencing other "green" energy initiatives is a key priority. Using grants, I will pursue programs to keep our bays pollution free and improve Long Island's newest nature preserve at Lido Beach.

Finally, I will work to continue numerous parks upgrades and expand programs for senior citizens. I am excited about a number of quality of life initiatives that will help preserve the residential character of our township.

Q: Do you anticipate any challenges if elected? If so, what challenges?

A: Managing America's largest township always presents challenges. The key is how public officials respond to those challenges. The greatest challenge for all levels of government will continue to be maintaining the highest level of accountability to taxpayers. I intend to continue ensuring that Hempstead's government provides the best value for the tax dollar. Another serious challenge will focus around maintaining the suburban identity of our communities while addressing the need for affordable homes, economic growth and balanced development. To that end, I have strongly directed the town's efforts on redevelopment of blighted properties, revitalizing more downtowns, and combining smart growth development with the preservation of open space.

Q: What are some of the major issues you are focusing your campaign on?

A: My campaign is based upon my strong record of accomplishments, including providing the finest governmental services at the lowest cost. Against the backdrop of freezing all town taxes, Hempstead provides the lion's share of local services (excluding public education, police protection and sewage), while comprising among the smallest portions of the burden borne by taxpayers. Indeed, less than 10 cents of every tax dollar for the average taxpayer goes to fund town services. From 200 parks, marinas, beaches, nature preserves, a museum and garbage collection, maintaining roadways and providing water to offering senior services, free summer concerts, and cultural and recreational programs, Hempstead Town offers something for everyone.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of the Town of Hempstead?

A: My favorite aspect of the Town of Hempstead is clearly all of the township's family, whom I am honored to represent. Every single initiative that I undertake is directed toward improving the lives of our residents.

Q: Where do you reside and how long have you lived there?

A: I have lived in Wantagh my entire life.

Q: What is your profession and family information?

A: I grew up in Wantagh, graduated from MacArthur High School in Levittown and went on to earn a BA degree in Economics from Fordham University. I later attended the National School for Finance and Management. I then spent 20 years in the banking industry, rising to the position of assistant vice president and branch manager.

Q: What party lines are you currently running on?

A: Democratic line.

Q: Are you involved in any specific community organizations?

A: I am a Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council and a founding member of Division 7 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, as well as a member of the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce, Levittown Community Council and the Seaford Historical Society. I was awarded the Leo Laughlin Award for my service to CYO and youth. I was recognized for the work with young people from the Knights of Columbus with the New York State Counselor of the Year award. I also founded and run youth sports organizations for baseball, basketball and lacrosse. I have an extensive history of community involvement that began with my election to the local Parish Council at the age of 18, serving two terms and chairman. I was the secretary to the Seaford Bicentennial Committee and am a former chairman of the largest community Blood Drive on Long Island. For my work, I received the Long Island Blood Service's first Life Saver Award.

Q: What are your reasons for running?

A: It is time to stop the outrageous waste going on in the halls of Hempstead Town government. The 750,000 residents of Nassau's largest township are being left behind the more progressive models of North Hempstead and Babylon and our young adults and elderly are the ones who suffer. We are employing entrenched Republicans at the expense of ourselves. The Town of Hempstead is not a playground for the rich. It is where we live and we are taxing ourselves and our children off our beautiful Island.

Q: If elected, what are your goals for the Town of Hempstead? Which would you tackle first?

A: The town board is obsessing about grass height being unseemly at eight inches rather than 10 inches, yet they do not enforce or respond to residents at any height. My experience will enable me to keep an eye on the town's finances while also ensuring that the residents of Hempstead receive the level of services to which they are entitled - and for which they pay too much in taxes. The maintenance of little-known taxing districts is an example of taxpayer rip-offs. The current town administration is collecting millions of dollars in unabated tax increases for special taxing districts - a century-old system created when Long Island was a seasonal community - while claiming that Town of Hempstead taxes are stable. That is an outrage.

Q: Do you anticipate any challenges if elected? If so, what challenges?

A: The Republican-controlled Town of Hempstead is so entrenched in the politics of sustaining one party - with town plumbers, contractors and builders holding influential positions on town inspection boards - that it can no longer protect the interests of residents. He also condemned the lack of housing code enforcement "which is turning our hometowns into another commercial hodgepodge not unlike the outer boroughs of New York City.

Q: What are some of the major issues you are focusing your campaign on?

A: We need a supervisor who will supply leadership for the problems that our town faces, the lack of code enforcement, the lack of oversight of our town departments, especially the building department, and the need for workforce housing for our young people and senior citizens. I will be such a leader. I will not just be interested in photo ops, I will be an active, hands on Supervisor making a better future for our town.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of the Town of Hempstead?

A: My favorite part of the Town of Hempstead is its parks and recreational facilities. As a person who runs a number of youth sports organizations I am impressed by how well the parks are kept and the efforts of the parks personnel to accommodate the needs of the residents

Q: Have you ever run for political office before? Were you successful?

A: I ran for Hempstead Town Supervisor in 2001 and Hempstead Town Clerk in 2003 and 2005.