North Hempstead residents will take to the polls on Tuesday, April 29 to vote for or against a proposal to change the way town councilmembers are currently elected. The referendum, which is the result of a lawsuit by North Hempstead Republicans against the town, will consist of 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.

Presently, North Hempstead is run by a town supervisor and four councilmembers, all elected at large. Should Proposition 1 pass, the election of supervisor would be the only seat to remain at large.

Following are proponents' and opponents' views on the referendum proposing to change the form of government in the Town of North Hempstead from an at-large to councilmanic or "ward" system:

Proponents of the change argue that council districts are necessary to prevent communities within North Hempstead from being ignored by the town board, and that moving to a ward-type system would ensure that a member of the town board would be responsive to the needs of that community. In addition, board members would, by law, be required to live within the district they represent, therefore having a vested interest in those communities.

Those against the proposed system believe the town's current form of government is working adequately without reworking the way town board members are elected. They state that legislative ideas should be supported or rejected on their merit, not based upon where a town board member lives. Those in favor of the at-large system also believe that council districts may result in less representation in that there is only one person, who may or may not be supportive, to turn to.

The referendum is scheduled for April 29 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. and voting will take place in the normal polling places, with very limited exceptions. Residents are urged to vote, whether it be for or against, the referendum.

For more information or to find out where to vote, call the Town of North Hempstead at 869-7646.