by Cris Italia
His opponent, Jerry LaMonica, is no stranger to politics. LaMonica unsuccessfully ran and lost three elections, each time to Town Councilman Anthony Santino.
With each election, LaMonica creeps closer and closer to his opponent, winning Oceanside, the neighborhood he lives in, each time. But this position is a lot different from being a member of the town board; it's a position whose tasks are defined by its title.
"I absolutely love doing this job," Clavin said. "As strange as that may seem, I really enjoy doing this." Among his many responsibilities, Clavin must explain to taxpayers any increases in taxes. He addresses thousands of concerns each day. "I know maybe that doesn't appeal to everyone, but I've grown up in a family of public service," the Republican candidate said.
The incumbent spends most days on the road with a mobile town hall unit. He speaks regularly at libraries and senior centers, explaining policy and helping them with any questions. "I try to take the time and sit down with them," Clavin said. "I find that often there aren't many people that understand all the services out there that give them relief, so I try my best to educate them on programs such as STAR and enhanced STAR."
While Clavin has spent the last year tending to resident concerns, LaMonica, who is running on the Democratic ticket, has been on the outside looking in, seriously questioning the town's practices -- or the lack thereof. "My opponent seems to be side-stepping what his position stands for," LaMonica said. "The Town of Hempstead needs to be broken up. I'm sick of getting mailings each week about all the good they are doing in our communities. When is someone going to challenge them?"
Clavin admitted that the Receiver of Taxes does not have the power to set policy, nor can he deal with the quality-of-life concerns residents raise every day. "This is a position of service, and, most importantly, providing information and educating residents of the Town of Hempstead," he said.
"He's an elected official and he hasn't been doing his job," LaMonica said. "Any time you have been elected to an office of government, you have a responsibility to challenge the decisions of other town officials."
LaMonica's biggest question is, Why did the Town of Hempstead's unincorporated villages get a 5 percent tax raise this year when there was a surplus? "The town keeps boasting about their surplus, but if there was a surplus, then why did neighborhoods like Oceanside get a raise in taxes?" he asked. "They are lying about that surplus."
While LaMonica directs his concerns to physical community problems, Clavin has maintained that his focus should remain on improving his office and any new technology that might become available in the future. "I'd like to become more Internet-friendly," Clavin said. "We are not where we want to be in terms of getting more information and receiving taxes on-line."
The Receiver of Taxes position is a four-year term that works with the town supervisor's office. "By all means, I feel as though Kate Murray is my boss," Clavin said. "And if people want to view Kate, [town clerk] Mark Bonilla and myself as a package, that is something I would be really proud of."
