Thursday, October 1, 2026
Q: Tell me about yourself?
A: My formal name is Charles Daniel Hammerman but I also go by Charlie. I am 62 years old and graduated from Fordham Law School in 1998. I was the village prosecutor in Atlantic Beach under the Judge Jerry Turner. Towards the end of 2007 going into 2008 we, being my wife, Nancy and I founded, and have now operated for 18 years, the Disability Opportunity Fund. In 1994, the U.S. Treasury Department created the CDFI Fund—Community Development Financial Institution Fund. To qualify for funding, you must be certified. We received our certification way back in 2009 and have maintained that certification.
Q: Have you held any previous leadership positions within the village or in outside community organizations?
A: Yes. So as a result of Superstorm Sandy there was an organization called Long Island Voluntary Organization Active in Disasters. But my organization was immediately contacted as the disability experts. How does the VOAD, how does Nassau and Suffolk deal with helping people with disabilities recover, you know, from Sandy and the next thing you know, we ended up with a seat at the table, and we spent a good year plus working with many, not for profits, all over Long Island,
Q: What was the appointment process like?
A: So, Mayor George Pappas approached me with the discussion this past weekend. He then wanted to consult the existing members of the board, got their input and then made the official offer to me yesterday, May 28. It is my understanding that the vacancies to the board are supposed to be filled as quickly as possible, so we went through all of the paperwork yesterday and made it official.
Q: How do you plan to help address the recent 87 percent village tax increase?
A: As a resident and now as a trustee, I’m learning the details as to why an increase is being required in the coming fiscal year, given my experience between 2019 to 2024, in hite sulfur springs West Virginia, in which our organization DOF did a full economic redevelopment of a similarly sized town, My hope is that as a new trustee I can bring a tremendous amount of experience in that situation and translate it towards our community.
Q: With your legal experience, how do you plan to contribute to matters involving the Chabad of the Beaches litigation?
A: Clearly, I cannot comment on the actual litigation involving any plaintiffs against the village. However, I hope to be able to afford my vast experience with legal matters to my fellow trustees and the residents to find some way forward that benefits everybody.
Q: What else do you want the residents to know about you?
A: This is truly an honor, because there’s no greater service than public service, and I’ve been fortunate enough to do that throughout my life, but over the last 20 years, I have literally committed myself to those less privileged who are living with disabilities and their families. I feel very fortunate as a second-generation Atlantic Beach resident to enjoy every positive aspect of this very unique village, and I hope the residents will see that actions speak louder than words, and we’re going to do a lot of work on their behalf to make things truly great in the village of Atlantic Beach.
