When Rich Guardino, the popular Town of Hempstead Supervisor, stepped down from his post to take a position at Hofstra University, thoughts immediately turned to the next supervisor. While names have been bantered about, one possibility is someone familiar to the communities of Elmont, Franklin Square and West Hempstead and if it were up to those areas, New York State Assemblyman Tom Alfano could very well be the next town supervisor.

Judging from the results of November's election during which Alfano trounced his opponent in the 21st Assembly District by a 22,239 to 9,214 margin, the assemblyman may be at the zenith of his popularity.

Consider that last year when it looked as though the state's assembly district's would be reshuffling, the New York State Legislative Task Force was handed a pile of correspondence four inches high from constituents wanting Alfano to remain their representative. The task force would then release a plan that reinstated the district, a move seen as a major victory for Alfano supporters.

"The people responded like nothing we've ever seen. It was beyond an outpouring of support, it was a waterfall," said the assemblyman's chief of staff Scott Cushing.

Elmont, one of the components of the 21st Assembly District, is known by some as the "Ellis Island of Long Island" with 72 languages spoken there. In an assembly district that is made up of numerous races, religions and creeds, it may be difficult for an elected official to gain the support of a wide spectrum of constituents. Yet, Alfano apparently has. Proof came this past November when Alfano captured 53 percent of the vote in the Democratic stronghold of Elmont South, where Republicans hadn't enjoyed success in decades.

"He understands the politics of Elmont South and he understood it because he listened and he surrounded himself with the opinions and ideas of the people that are in Elmont South, which is something that the Republican Party has never done. To his credit, he understood the changing demographics. He also understood that the only way he was going to win it was if he took a personal interest in trying to get a handle what that is," said Elmont South resident Aubrey Phillips, a member of the Elmont School District and Sewanhaka Central High School District boards of education. "He won Elmont South because his name is all over Elmont South. But secondly, the immigrant population in Elmont South is purist when it comes to democratic ideas. We come to the table with a notion of democracy that is purist - the best man should get the job, the man that shows interest should get the job."

Instead of shying away from communities that, in the past, have been a lost cause, Alfano targeted Elmont South in an effort to win the area. "Since I was elected back in 1996, I've made it my goal to be the assemblyman for all the people in my district," he said. "I thought that Elmont needed special attention because of the emerging immigrant population and the number of languages spoken in the schools. I made it one of my top priorities to give them the absolute best constituent service and hands-on attention by me personally that time would allow."

"He was highly visible. He made commitments to the community through the different civics and he followed through on them. He was accessible and overall, he 's just a decent human being and it showed through in all his actions," said Parkhurst Civic Association member and Elmont Library Board trustee Cheryl Lee.

For the communities in the 21st Assembly District, which encompasses Elmont, Franklin Square, West Hempstead, Floral Park, Malverne and North Valley Stream, Alfano has garnered the support of many residents from difficult backgrounds as the assemblyman has succeeded in connecting with the diversity of his district.

"The main thing is the fact that the district he represents is made of all political persuasions and all nationalities," said Franklin Square/Munson Fire Department Commissioner Doris Griffin. "We just feel that Tom Alfano has represented not only the people in the community, but he's come to relate to the democratic changes we have had. I don't think we will have another Tom Alfano."

Perhaps a reason why Alfano has succeeded in such diverse communities is because he believes differences in culture are a strength of his district, which he calls a microcosm of the state with a tremendous opportunity to learn, interact and help. Director of Gateway Youth Outreach, an Elmont-based organization dedicated to benefiting the youth of the community through various programs and initiatives, Pat Boyle recalls how Alfano visited a class of English as a Second Language students in the Gotham Avenue School. "He came in and just started speaking Spanish to all of them. They were amazed that their assemblyman could actually speak the language that they know best. He did the same thing with the parents when they would come to pick up the kids. He would talk to them in Spanish," said Boyle. "He looks at the kids as kids. There's no race, creed or color. These are kids who need after school programs and the services that he's been able to get the money for us to be able to provide."

Cushing says the assemblyman connects well with his constituents because he addresses issues of community concerns on an individual basis, has private sector attitude about government, is accessible, has the ability to listen to people and understand where they are coming from. The assembly serves by the philosophy of "If you've got a problem, then I've got a problem."

"I've dealt with a lot of elected officials. I would be willing to say he is the most genuine elected official I know. He really cares about the kids and he cares about the people," said Boyle.

Community members such as former West Hempstead Civic Association President Seth Bykofsy has called Alfano a "true guardian of the public good." While his votes in favor of continuing the STAR program and expanding the EPIC program may have had significance to many residents, the assemblyman also puts great effort into his constituency work and advocacy for community projects, organizations and educational groups and institutions.

Elmont Elementary Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Palandra, who has the challenge of educating a diverse population, considers Alfano a tremendous asset to the Elmont community for his interest in the education of its children. "He's a great friend to education," Dr. Palandra said. "He really cares about the children and that comes through. Children don't feel intimidated by him. He talks to them in a way they understand. It's very clear when he speaks to children, he speaks to them with a lot of love and a lot of respect."

In many cases, as Alfano addressed classes of students in a town hall setting, he is speaking with first generation immigrants. For the assemblyman, this makes his job of empowering the children all the more challenging and at the same time all the more fulfilling.

"I think we're all the same. We're all people. We all have needs and desires and dreams. I believe in America all children should have the same opportunities and whatever I can do to ensure that children have an opportunity, I'm going to do. If that means visiting them and talking with them about following their dreams and getting the most school aid we can so that there are tutoring programs and after school programs, then I'm going to do that," Alfano said.

While securing record amounts of state aid may be seen by some as the job of an assemblyman, Alfano made it his goal to be visible in his district's schools to the point that some young students recognize him in everyday life. "The kids don't necessarily call him Assemblyman Alfano, they call him Tom Alfano. How more comfortable can these kids be with this guy?" said Boyle.

"I'm an open minded person. A child is a child and an adult with a problem is an adult with a problem. I've never had that difficulty acclimating to diversity. I embrace it. I've lived my life this way," Alfano said.

It is a strong belief in the foundation of education to build the American dream that has fueled Alfano's actions and numerous programs designed to promote education and boost self-esteem. "He's very much present in our [school] buildings and he speaks to children in a way that encourages them to achieve and to work. He gives them an incentive to study," said Dr. Palandra. "He's very approachable. Every time he addresses the children, he talks to them about how important it is to stay in school and do the best they can to pursue their dreams. He makes them see that having high expectations and aspirations is not a dream, it's very real. It's huge because some children don't have good role models. They tend to see these sports figures and ideals that aren't very easily reachable."

Outside of visiting classrooms in the schools of his district, Alfano has been involved in numerous activities such as a children's reading program, which encourages children to read during the summer. He also has been known to take hundreds of students with him up to Albany for a visit and then, of course, there's his leaders and mentors program, which brings students and key government officials together in a quest to learn about how state government works.

"I got to see how politics really work, the fundamentals behind it, the goals. I got to realize what an assemblyman does. My writing skills improved. I got to visit the Assembly Chamber in Albany along with the Senate Chamber. You just meet a lot of interesting people that have a big role in being a New York State Legislator. It's definitely interesting up there. I saw a lot of things I haven't seen before. I've met the governor on several ocassions," said Frank Savinon, a Franklin Square resident and one of the numerous students Alfano had given an internship to.

Through all his accomplishments , perhaps Alfano's greatest feat was finding a common bond with citizens who do not have much in common with him other than their beliefs in quality of life and the American dream.

"In all my years as a voting citizen, I've never come across an elected official who is more dedicated to his constituency than Tom Alfano," said Franklin Square resident and Elmont's Gotham Avenue School assistant principal Dennis Cowan.

So as Alfano's popularity has soared to new heights this past November, one wonders what could be next for the assemblyman. Even before Alfano's name was mentioned as a successor to Guardino as town supervisor, he didn't rule out the possibility of moving on. "You never say never in politics. You keep your mind open. You keep your eyes open and if opportunities present themselves in coming years, I will definitely listen and perhaps look for a bigger forum to help people," he said.

That forum could be the Town of Hempstead. At least some of his constituents hope so.