While working as a legislative aide to the Town Board during Jon Kaiman’s tenure as North Hempstead supervisor, I was witness to his ardent determination to continue in the tradition of his predecessor, May Newburger, to lead a town government that would always be responsive to residents’ needs. Two of his major initiatives and accomplishments were the creation of Project Independence for Seniors, now a national model, plus the updating of public housing.
After meeting with seniors throughout the Town, it was clear that many wanted a program that would allow them to “age in place,” so they could live in familiar surroundings at home. He immediately got to work to create Project Independence for them. This program quickly expanded to include discount taxi rides to medical and dental appointments plus grocery shopping for seniors. Also added were other various programs, including exercise, nutrition, health and more. The success of Project Independence is huge, its impact tremendous.
Shortly after taking office, Supervisor Kaiman also met with Manhasset’s Spinney Hill residents who described their nearly unhabitable apartments. Clearly, the living situation could not continue since residents were now reduced to living in dilapidated, squalid, and dangerous conditions.
Supervisor Kaiman wasted no time and immediately inspected the Spinney Hill complex. He was shocked by the poorly maintained apartments’ conditions. They were filled with mold, leaking pipes, peeling paint, dangerous exposed electrical wires, cracked windows and broken bathroom tiles. Desperate to keep apartments warm in the cold months, tenants were forced to heat their apartments with open oven doors due to the heating system constantly breaking down.
Wasting no time, Supervisor Kaiman immediately consulted with the North Hempstead Housing Authority and other construction and rehab professionals. Within three years, this rehabilitation project was completed. At Spinney Hill’s grand re-opening, a senior resident was crying. She told me that she never thought she would ever live in such a beautiful place. She always thought she would be condemned to living in a broken-down hovel.
It should also be noted that former Supervisor Kaiman didn’t stop there, he expanded this rehabilitation program to include other North Hempstead public housing units located in Westbury, Port Washington, Roslyn and on East Shore Road in Great Neck. He wasted no time bringing these apartments up to code, as well.
In these dark times, clearly Jon Kaiman is the leader we desperately need. I urge you to vote wisely and to vote Row A on Tuesday, Nov. 7 for Jon Kaiman for North Hempstead Town Supervisor along with his team. I know that I will do so and will do so having great confidence in Jon Kaiman’s ability to lead us.
Eleanor Lange
Manhasset
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