By Lindsay Press
Now that Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin announced that he will not seek another term, the Democrats and Republicans have revealed their respective nominees for the post. The Dems have selected Joe Scianablo, while the GOP has picked John R. Ferretti, Jr.
According to the town’s website, Clavin was elected town supervisor in 2019. During his tenure as supervisor, Moody’s Investor’s Services increased its credit rating from Aa2 to Aa1 and Standard & Poor’s upgraded Hempstead’s credit rating from AA- to AA. He also introduced a tax-freeze budget for 2021 and a tax-cut budget for 2022, both of which were approved by the Town Board.
Before becoming the town supervisor, Clavin spent 18 years as the receiver of taxes. In that role, he was the first in New York State to implement the first paperless e-Billing system, as well as Long Island’s first Autopay tax payment feature and drive-thru payment options. In addition, he hosted numerous free taxpayer forums in every Hempstead Town community.
Clavin told News 12 that he is stepping down as town supervisor to run for Nassau County Court. “I want to thank the residents of the Town of Hempstead for the support they have shown me during my tenure as supervisor and also while I worked as Receiver of Taxes,” he said.
Scianablo’s background includes military service, having enlisted in the Marines in 1996 and then serving as a police officer in New York City. After retiring from law enforcement, Scianablo then became a lawyer.
The Nassau Democratic Party said Scianablo’s nomination comes following growing criticism of the Republican majority in Town Hall, given a 12.1% tax increase, increased pay for top officials, and long-ignored infrastructure problems throughout the town.
“Public service isn’t only what you do, it’s who you are. I’ve served my country, my city, and my community — and I’m ready to serve the people of Hempstead,” said Scianablo. “I’m running to lower the tax burden, clean up our broken infrastructure, and bring transparency back to Town Hall.”
“Joe Scianblo is exactly the kind of leader Hempstead needs right now,” added Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay S. Jacobs. “His courage, character, and deep commitment to public service make him the right candidate to take on the status quo.”
His opponent, Ferretti, has served in the Nassau County Legislature for seven years, according to his website. He introduced multiple pieces of legislation including a law that requires signage at all red light camera intersections, a law that protects Veterans struggling with addiction and a law aimed at eliminating dangerous bicycle “ride-outs.” John authored “Benny’s Law” which created an online database and notification procedure to residents who live in close proximity to judicially determined dangerous dogs.
Before that, Ferretti served as the county’s chief deputy clerk. In that role, he oversaw over 100 staff members with a $6 million budget and annual revenue collection exceeding $240 million dollars for federal, state, and local governments. John served as liaison to the New York State Land Title Association and assisted in drafting legislation to waive clerk recording fees for victims of Superstorm Sandy.
“The committee looked for someone who is a proven tax slayer, helped make Nassau County the safest in the United States, fought anti-Semitism and hate in general, involved in the community and with his family and has been a lifelong resident of the Town of Hempstead,” said Joe Cairo, Nassau County Republican Committee Chairperson Joe Cairo said in an interview with the Long Island Herald.
“When you decide to run for elected office you do it because you want to make a difference in people’s lives,” Ferretti said to the LI Herald. “I feel I have the experience in both the private sector and government that qualifies me for this position. In government, I have both administrative and legislative experience.”
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to the Nassau GOP repeatedly, but did not respond for comment as of press time.
Election Day is November 4.