"I believe our town is one of nicest places to live in America and I aim to keep it that way," Jon Kaiman told Anton Community Newspapers in an interview just two days after his nomination as the Democrats' choice for North Hempstead Town Supervisor. A resident of Great Neck for 13 years (and a 23-year resident of Nassau County), this 40-year-old attorney has already served town government as commissioner of public safety, dealing with code enforcement, emergency management, town security, parking enforcement, harbor control, and animal control. And he has served, informally, as one of Town Supervisor May Newburger's senior advisors.

Supervisor Newburger has long voiced strong support for Jon Kaiman to succeed her as head of the town. "I feel very confident thinking of Jon in this office ... he will do even better, bringing his own style and ability," she stated, adding that Mr. Kaiman is "very creative" and has a "broad vision" for the town and "a wide breadth of experience."

Mr. Kaiman also has the support of Town Democratic Party leader Joe Galante. Mr. Galante's firm endorsement noted the candidate's "great credentials," his "demonstrated ability" over the years working for the town and for the party, as well as his service as a district court judge. Mr. Galante feels that Jon Kaiman is the one to not only continue the highly successful traditions and policies begun by Supervisor Newburger, but to be able, on his own, "to take a new look and invigorate the town."

With a great deal of enthusiasm and energy, Mr. Kaiman spoke of continuing Supervisor Newburger's "legacy," concentrating on finances, the environment and quality of life issues. "May gave the town a very strong fiscal foundation ... as a result, bond rating agencies gave the town straight As ... I intend to continue that type of fiscal responsibility and make it a major focus of my administration," Mr. Kaiman stated.

He continued, calling the Newburger environmental legacy "extraordinary." Mr. Kaiman was involved with many environmental issues within the town, including, as Manhasset Bay harbor master, cleaning out over 200 tons of debris from the bay. He is also proud to have been one of the original architects of the creation of the town's environmental legacy fund (ELF), under the Newburger administration. With this fund, the town has $50 million to purchase and preserve open space throughout North Hempstead.

Along the environmental lines, Mr. Kaiman said that he has been "intimately involved" in pursuing brown fields with grants from the EPA and other federal grants, all on behalf of the town. "I will make the environment a top priority," he stated.

Mr. Kaiman also stressed his strong desire to be sure to "preserve and enhance our quality of life." Quality of life issues such as road and sidewalk maintenance, code enforcement, and parks and recreation are high on Mr. Kaiman's list. "These things should not be taken for granted," he said, noting the town's now famous, award-winning golf course, Harbor Links. "Our golf course, alone, is becoming a significant recreation destination," Mr. Kaiman added. And he said that, as town supervisor, he would try to further enhance Harbor Links, maybe even bringing in PGA events.

Mr. Kaiman served as commissioner of the town's public safety department for two-and-a-half years. Speaking of his involvement in the department, Supervisor Newburger said, "He really made that department." She went on to say,"He's creative and productive ... a real people person ... and he knows the town."

More municipal experience came during his time as a district court judge when he was in the position to oversee cases dealing with municipal code violations. And, most recently, as a partner at the law firm of Crowe, Deegan, Dickson and Benrubi he served as an attorney for the town and for the county in the fields of economic development and community revitalization. "I believe I have a broad perspective on how to best make this town succeed," he said.

A current project that has captured his time and his support is The Law Squad, a group Mr. Kaiman helped to organize, a group that consists of an attorney, a social worker and local police officers, all out to fight underage drinking. The Law Squad makes the round of county schools, offering parents presentations on the consequences and ramifications of allowing their teens to drink.

A graduate of Hofstra University and Hofstra Law School, Jon and his wife Kim have two sons, aged 7 and 3. Through his young family he has become even more involved in the community, for the last three years coaching Little League and soccer. He is also active in Temple Israel of Great Neck (serving on the board), CLASP and local schools. Mr. Kaiman is also a member of the New Hyde Park Sons of Italy Lodge and the Great Neck Chamber of Commerce.

Jon Kaiman said he is excited, eager, and confident that he is the one to take over the reins of the town and that he plans to take on the town supervisor job full-time.

"I look forward to following in the tradition of May Newburger and Tom DiNapoli, quintessential government leaders, who both hail from Great Neck," he stated.

At press time we learned that the Republicans have nominated attorney Frank Moroney of Westbury as their candidate for supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead.