In your Oct. 8 article, “Dalimonte plans to bring back the voice of constituents as North Hempstead councilwoman” you quote the current Director of the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District, a quasi-governmental organization.
Excluded was the amount of her basic compensation and that it is approximately 60 percent of the administrative budget and one-third of the total budget, excluding debt service costs.
I am not sure of the amount to allocate for payroll taxes, health insurance, retirement and other associated costs. She has been there since 2015. Her duties and responsibilities at this position as well as her educational advancement was not listed.
The article states that she wants to “work with the Town of North Hempstead, the local merchants, code enforcement and the Port Washington Garbage District to brainstorm an action plan to solve the litter problem.”
Former Sixth District Councilperson Fred Pollack tried fifteen years ago, I was there with the BID director at the time, the police, “residents,” the county Legislature and code enforcement. We had “brainstorming” meetings and I hear tell that the current BID director has been to similar meetings in the last four years of her administration of the BID.
In our meetings, it was obvious that the problem can not be solved by our councilperson. The solution is known and I am incredulous that you did not ask her what she had done as BID director and what specifically she would do other than have another “brainstorming” session.
If you ask any current or former commissioner of the Port Washington Garbage District they will agree the problem is clear. Code enforcement on Main Street starts too late and never on Sunday.
The most expensive option is to hire more employees or authorize more overtime. Back then it was May’s decision and today Judi Bosworth is the Supervisor. She, of course, is running with someone she approved of more than four years ago to oversee the operations of the BID who if elected will resign as director and then most likely be appointed back to the board to replace her opponent.
Who the next director would be has not been discussed, which is proper.
If the challenger is successful will the future be paying more salary and benefits with a supermajority on the board?
Fortunately, a less expensive solution had also been brainstormed. Change the garbage pickup regulations. Have garbage pickup after the morning rush and when code enforcement is currently working.
Also changing the time of when to put out garbage from the night before pickup to the morning of pickup after code enforcement is on duty.
I am surprised that the candidate did not say that instead of suggesting another brainstorming session. Could it be that it puts the burden back on the supervisor? I don’t know, but one thing is for sure, I wish both candidates best wishes in their future endeavors.
Jerry Devine,
Former commissioner, Port Garbage District.
