The choice of Don Clavin to be re-elected Town of Hempstead supervisor is an easy one. Perhaps, too easy.
Clavin, who is running on the Republican and Conservative lines, spent nearly two decades as receiver of taxes before being elected supervisor in 2019.
As receiver, he served as an oasis of competence in a desert of incompetence and shady deals in the Town of Hempstead.
Clavin was the first in New York State to implement a paperless e-Billing system in New York State, as well as Long Island’s first Autopay tax payment feature and drive-thru payment options.
Clavin then followed through on a campaign commitment to modernize the Building Department, bringing the department online for the first time and processing applications electronically.
This meant replacing typewriters in the department with computers. In 2019.
Clavin was not the first to come up with this not-so-novel idea of replacing typewriters with computers.
His predecessor, Democrat Laura Gillen, proposed the same thing.
But a seven-member Town Board dominated by five Republicans said no apparently unhappy with Gillen becoming the first Democrat in 100 years to get elected town supervisor.
Gillen learned the hard way that town supervisors under state law are just another town council member when making decisions.
So Clavin inherited the opportunity to bring Hempstead’s building department into the 21st century. Which, to his credit, he did.
Clavin has also worked as a trial attorney who practiced in all New York courts as well as United States Federal District Courts and then worked in the Office of the Nassau County Attorney as deputy county attorney. He then worked in private practice.
Clavin is opposed by Olena Nicks, who is running on the Democrat line.
Nicks has worked as a financial analyst and has been active as a member of the Uniondale Fire Department and involved in the policy committee in the Uniondale School District.
She also ran unsuccessfully for town clerk in 2019, losing to Kate Murray.
We appreciate Nick’s willingness to serve but wonder why Democrats did not come up with a stronger choice for Town of Hempstead voters.
Clavin is a formidable opponent. But that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t face a realistic challenge.
That being said, we strongly endorse Don Clavin for re-election as Town of Hempstead supervisor.