Don Clavin’s decision to resign his post as Hempstead Town Supervisor before it expired and, thereafter, appointing his successor is a process that smells to the high heavens.
This is a tactic left over from the last century, when political party bosses controlled every aspect of government. Fortunately, over time, more and more reforms were put in place to prevent this type of political chicanery. Many political subdivisions today require special elections if a vacancy occurs before the general election.
And that’s the way it should be. But it looks like the Town of Hempstead is still mired in the era of the backroom deals. Clavin should just serve out his term and let the party designee battle his or her opponent in a fair fight without the power of incumbency for an appointee who was never elected to anything.