Mark Bonilla seeks fourth term

In the race for Hempstead town clerk, incumbent Mark Bonilla, a Republican, is being challenged by political newcomer Anthony Rattoballi, a Democrat.

The town clerk’s office, which maintains records dating back to 1644, records town ordinances, local laws, court actions, zoning ordinances and other activities, and processes a variety of applications. As the town’s registrar, the office issues birth and death certificates as well as licenses ranging from fishing to marriage, and permits ranging from block parties to parades.

Mark Bonilla

In office since 2003, Bonilla made history as the first Hispanic to be elected to a townwide position in Hempstead. He said he is seeking a fourth term because he wants to continue to serve the public in a direct and significant way. “People don’t always realize how important and busy the town clerk’s office is,” Bonilla said, “that it affects so many areas of people’s lives, literally from birth to death, and so many areas in between.”

The clerk is officially a part-time position with a six-figure salary. When asked about this, Bonilla said, “I treat it like a full-time job.” An attorney by trade, he said he does not have a law practice and limits his professional activities. “I don’t solicit work. You really have to be here,” he said. “One time I clocked it, and between 75 and 105 people are served by the town clerk’s office every day.”

Since Bonilla first took office, he said, he has striven to bring services to residents as well as to improve and introduce new services. Two of his proudest accomplishments, he said, are the mobile town hall passport service and the town’s child safety ID program. More than 75,000 passports have been issued, and he estimated that 70,000 children have been photographed and fingerprinted during his tenure.

Another achievement, Bonilla said, is the way the public is served by the 110 civil servants in his office. “I have made the office more professional, courteous and efficient,” he said.