Former county legislator Kevan Abrahams is returning to politics to help make the Town of Hempstead an affordable place to live for generations both young and old.
Abrahams, 50, retired last year from the Nassau County Legislature after a 21-year run. Throughout his time serving District 1, Abrahams, a Freeport resident, said he helped restore financial stability to the county. His time in Nassau politics focused on making sure parks and communities were safe, along with maintaining roads.
“I’m happy to say, during my time in the Legislature, I probably have done well over $200, $250 million in road projects,” Abrahams told the Herald during a Roundtable interview.
Now Abrahams is running as a Democrat in the special election for the seat in the town’s 5th Councilmanic District. The seat was previously occupied by Chris Carini, who died unexpectedly in July, at age 49. For Abrahams, getting back into politics was an obvious choice. “Why I want to get involved is that I still see the needs and the issues that are confronting town residents,” he said. “They’re still there.”
His main priority is affordability. It has become a struggle to live in the town, he said, and it doesn’t offer enough opportunities for affordable housing for young people.
“My whole message, in terms of running for the town council, is tied to affordability,” he said. “Not just for that young family or that young person that’s looking for that affordable housing. It’s also for families that are middle-aged, that are struggling to pay the taxes and the fees that keep being increased by the Town of Hempstead.”
When Abrahams announced his bid for office in August, he expressed concerns about the town’s recent $2 million tax levy increase and rising fees for essential services. He criticized the fee hikes, noting that they affect everything from pool passes to parking permits and sports leagues, and argued that taxpayers are
unfairly shouldering the burden of the town’s fiscal mismanagement.
Discussing infrastructure, Abrahams highlighted past efforts to mitigate flooding in Freeport, referencing a $7 million project to fund a flood plan on Guy Lombardo Avenue. It’s important, he said, to ensure that town roads are properly maintained, especially when it comes to water flowing into catch basins. He added that addressing infrastructure is crucial to prevent disrepair and to manage excess water on the streets.
Quality of life, Abrahams said, is essential for residents, and he wants to make sure the town has proper services, whether roads, police stations or parks. He emphasized the need for careful oversight when it comes to fiscal decisions, particularly those that impact residents.
“I think there needs to be an alternative voice there that’s going to scrutinize, before any tax increase happens, before any housing project happens, before any fee is increased, that we are looking to figure out how this benefits the residents of the town of Hempstead and lowers their costs,” he said.
Throughout his campaign, Abrahams wants voters to know that he plans to be a councilman for everyone, and looks to help people find the resources they need to resolve any issues, whether related to schools, businesses or villages.
“We’re at a moment in this country where everything is going up,” Abrahams said. “We’ve seen inflation impact things, and that’s impacting our residents. And at the same time, we cannot have a blind eye to what we do in the town, in regards to the increasing of taxes or park fees or anything along those lines. We have to lessen the burden, not add to it.”