'Team Murray' kicks off ToH campaign

Hempstead Town Republicans kicked off their campaign last week with promises to freeze town taxes in 2012 and maintain a full array of services.

Republican town officials on the ballot this fall include Supervisor Kate Murray, Council members Angie Cullin, James Darcy and Ed Ambrosino, Clerk Mark Bonilla and Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin — a slate known as “Team Murray.”

In a statement announcing the campaign kickoff, Murray, who has been in office since 2003, touted some of the town’s fiscal accomplishments, such as the reduction of debt service by $2.4 million in the 2011 budget.

“Our forthright and accountable budgeting practices have earned our township the highest Wall Street credit ratings available,” Murray said, adding that the town has earned multiple awards from the Independent Government Finance Officers Association.

Darcy — a Valley Stream resident who was first elected in 2003 to represent the 3rd Council District, which includes Lynbrook, East Rockaway, Malverne, West Hempstead, Valley Stream and the Five Towns — said Team Murray is fulfilling its fiscal responsibility and will hold the line on taxes next year. “Hempstead Town is living within its means,” he said.

While the Republicans lauded their fiscal restraint, they celebrated the $50 million “Improve Hempstead” capital upgrade program they launched in mid-March to improve roadways, repair marine bulkheads and upgrade other infrastructure.