A bipartisan press conference was held last Wednesday to discuss why a councilmanic or "ward" system would benefit North Hempstead residents.

On April 29, residents will take to the polls to vote on two propositions. Proposition 1 asks whether or not the town should adopt a council district system to replace its current at large voting system while Proposition 2 asks residents whether or not the number of councilpersons should be increased from four to six. A change to the number of councilpersons is contingent on the passage of Proposition 1.

Several political representatives from throughout the town were on hand at last week's press conference to discuss why they believe council districts, as opposed to the town's current at-large voting system, are the way to go. Among those present were Peter Cavallaro, chairman of the North Hempstead Republican Committee; Nassau County Deputy Minority Officer Roger Corbin (D-Westbury); Dr. Rudolph Clark, a member of the council district commission; Tim O'Connell, former Republican candidate for the North Hempstead Town Board; and Jim O'Connor, former town councilman. Chris O'Connor, program director for the Neighborhood Network - a nonpartisan organization that has been fighting for council districts on Long Island for the past 20 years - was also on hand.

"We firmly believe that council districts will benefit all North Hempstead residents," said Cavallaro. "We believe that a more representative and responsive government will result. There are many benefits to be achieved by this change, and we believe it can be done with no additional cost to the town's taxpayers. In short, this is a no-lose proposition."

Corbin agreed, stating that representative government is important to all town residents. "In North Hempstead we need to have someone who is responsible for government as it relates to our community. Far too long we have been the government at large and no one is responsible for the things going on in our community," he said. "We need to have representative government in North Hempstead because there are so many different issues out there."

According to Chris O'Connor, council districts would allow for accountable, responsible government. "[You would have] someone who lives in the district and who would fight for the community and be a part of that community, a name and a face that you can hold accountable," he said. "Local government should be the closest to the people, not the farthest away. By having a district, you get that kind of representation."

O'Connor added that candidates for town government should be from the area being represented, the way it currently is with county legislatures, assembly members, state senators and congressmen. "An at-large voting system is not consistent with United States democracy," he said. "What you don't get with an at-large system and you get with a council district system is head to head voting. You get to see candidate against candidate talking about the issues of the community and what concerns them. That is consistent with United States democracy."

On a local front, proponents for council districts believe individualized representation will have a positive effect on residents of the Westbury/New Cassel communities. "[At one time], we, in many ways, reflected contemporary lifestyles as they existed in North Hempstead," said Dr. Clark, a resident of the Westbury/New Cassel community for some 40 years. "The lack of individualized representation has led the community to degenerate into one of the most poverty stricken communities in North Hempstead," he said. "We are now faced with a situation in which we are constantly disenfranchised. By this I am alluding to the fact that codes are not enforced [resulting in] overcrowding, illegal housing. It has an impact on our school system, crime situation, etc."

Dr. Clark added that the establishment of council districts would bring major political representation to a community, which has been dependent upon the graciousness of a particular councilperson who decides to adopt it as his particular area. "We've been a neglected and denied community. I would strongly suggest that the town adopt this legislation to afford us the opportunity to have access and influence with someone who is symbiotically connected to us," he said. I am not just talking in terms of race. I am talking in terms of geography. A person who is cognizant of what the problems and needs of the community are."

O'Connell, who ran unsuccessfully for the town board last November, said, "This is supposed to be government by the people, for the people. Right now, [the town board] is not representing all the people who live in North Hempstead."

According to Joe Galante, chairman of the North Hempstead Democratic Committee and of the Councilmanic Commission, council districts may result in less representation. "Currently, [residents of the town] elect all the members of the board. With council districts, any major issue that affects the community, you want to have as many people on your side with alternatives to turn to," he said. "Under this [proposed council district] system, if the local person representing you doesn't agree, you really don't have any recourse to turn to in getting something done."

The April 29 referendum is the result of a lawsuit filed against the town board by North Hempstead Republicans late last year after the board extended the voting deadline for the council district proposal to November 2003. Currently, Town of North Hempstead residents are represented by an all-Democratic town board with a Democratic supervisor.

Cavallaro said that although none of the current town board members have taken an official position for or against council districts, several, including Supervisor May Newburger and Councilman Tom Dwyer, have gone on the record supporting the change.

"The overriding message that's being delivered is that [the Democratic Party] is opposed to council districts, but there are people from parts of the Democratic Party who support council districts for the town," said Cavallaro. "That's the message we are trying to get to the voters, that it is a bipartisan effort. We've said from the beginning that this is really not a partisan issue. It should be a good government issue that everybody embraces."

To date, Galante said the Democratic Party has not taken a formal position for or against council districts. "We voted to let everyone vote how they'd like," said Galante. "There are a number of people for it and a number against it. Personally, I am against council districts for the town because I feel people will lose representation."