For several weeks now I have been reading other endorsements for our school board candidates. I have had the pleasure of working with Jim Gounaris and his opponent Jonai Singh, but for me there is only one choice for the open seat on our school board and that is Jim Gounaris.
When another supporter wrote last week and touched upon what is needed in a candidate for school board, I agreed with every skill suggested. Jim has that and more! One of the most important differences with Jim is that he has a child on every level of school in the district, unlike any other current board member.
In fact, only one member of the board has children in the high school alone. That to me should be a very important factor in representing us all.
Jim also runs three very successful businesses and is in charge of millions of dollars with the volunteer organizations he is involved with. His business knowledge is something the Herricks School District and the board of education would benefit from.
I have been an active member of this community. PTA president for four years, council president for two years, and may I add, a graduate of Herricks High School. I have attended many meetings because it was suggested to me that my positions required me to be there. Jim has attended all these meetings for the past 12 years, not because he held an office or because of a title he held. He attended because he is eager to learn everything he can about the district he lives in and loves. He feels a sense of pride and responsibility to his community and his family. He also seems to be the “voice” in the room who always asks the questions everyone else is afraid to ask. This is not just another bullet of Jim’s resume, it’s the person he is.
My husband Andrew has had the good fortune of working with Jim as coaches of our daughters’ softball team and sons’ little league team. Jim also coached as our sons soccer team. He has seen first hand Jim’s sincere and paternal approach to teaching, coaching, and mentoring children to be wonderful and good standing stewards of humanity.
Jim believes now is the time to step up and run for the school board to represent us all and be our voice. We do not need another chair filled with a person the current board selected; we need a new “voice” with fresh ideas and a new way of thinking that can resolve the growing issues of the Herricks community.
Jim Gounaris is that choice. He is the only choice, especially now when we are wrestling with very difficult times in our state and in our district. This is not a stepping stone for him; this is part of the foundation that makes him who he is.
We need Jim Gounaris in our corner.
Please join us and remember to vote on May 17!
When you close the curtain, make the “smart” choice to represent us all! Jim Gounaris, the best choice for Herricks School Board.
Debbie and Andrew Imperatore
New Hyde Park
