Hudes named “Man of the Year” by deputy sheriffs

The Nassau County Deputy Sheriff’s Benevolent Association (NCDSBA) has recently named Town of Hempstead Councilman Gary Hudes “Man of the Year.”

According to the Benevolent Association’s President Robert Arciello, “Man of the Year” is awarded to someone who has been helpful to the association in various ways. “The award is given to one person a year at the NCDSBA Golf Outing as a thank-you for all he has done for the association,” said Arciello, who nominated Hudes for this year’s award.

“Man of the Year” is chosen after careful consideration of the executive board of the NCDSBA. The board had several nominees this year, and after reviewing each of them and voting, Hudes was the majority choice. “He is a great friend, and well deserving of the award,” shared Arciello. “He has helped the NCDSBA and our families in many ways.”

Hudes was grateful to receive the award. “I’ve had a close association to law enforcement my entire life,” Hudes said, “and to be recognized by an organization like this really is a true honor.”

Since 2000, Hudes has represented the Sixth Councilmanic District of the Town of Hempstead, including East Meadow, Levittown, Plainedge and Salisbury, along with portions of several other communities in the area. Some of his contributions to our area include the Levittown-Island Trees Turnpike Revitalization Project (a $12 million construction program of Hempstead Turnpike), the S.L.O.W. (Speed Limit Odometer Warning) program, which slows speeding cars in neighborhoods, and “Operation Wheelchair,” which collects gently used wheelchairs and distributes them to needy seniors and disabled people.

According to his Town Board Council Member profile, Hudes is also devoted to the success of small business owners in the area, as he is the owner and president of Gennaro Jewelers in Bellmore Village. He recently served as president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, which represents approximately 6,000 small businesses. Committed to small-business owners, he partnered with Hofstra University to create an education program for small businesses throughout the county. As a result of his efforts, he was selected as the New York State “Small Business Advocate of the Year” by Governor George Pataki, and was named “Small Businessperson of the Year” by the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce.