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Mostly Cloudy Brett-Leach throws her hat in the Town ring
Rockville Centre resident challenges Santino in Fourth Councilmatic District
By Judy Rattner
Jean Brett-Leach, the Democratic candidate for councilwoman in the Town of Hempstead 4th District, said that, if elected, she promises to work hard, fix problems for district residents and reduce government spending.
“I enjoy solving problems for people and want to make Hempstead Town government work better for everyone," said Brett-Leach, who is running against incumbent Anthony Santino (R-East Rockaway).
"In my village of Rockville Centre, I volunteered to work on a committee that tried to stop the placement of cell phone antennas on the village water tower behind the high school," Brett-Leach said, adding that she also worked to get a hazardous dump cleaned up and helped beautify a neglected commercial street. "I will bring those problem-solving skills to Hempstead if I am elected to the town council.”
As a mother and businesswoman, Brett-Leach says she knows expenses can be reduced without cutting necessary services. “It’s not easy to pay our ever-increasing tax bills," Brett-Leach said. "Our taxpayers should not see one penny of unnecessary spending. It is worth looking at every possible step we can take to lower Town tax bills. Nothing should be off the table.”
Key items Brett-Leach said that she would investigate include whether the town can provide water and garbage services for less money than commissioner-run districts. “The town does a great job of running its water and sanitation departments," she said. "Yet some town residents have to pay more for water or garbage pickup just because they live in areas served by commissioner-run districts. It's time to examine whether the town can take over these services to reduce expenses and save taxpayers’ money.”
Brett-Leach says her other ideas include bringing in volunteers to support the town boards, which would reduce government costs and promote greater community involvement. Additionally she said that she would reduce costly town mailings, and work to eliminate patronage hiring and contracts. Brett-Leach pledges to never hire relatives while serving on the board.
