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Top Comments: Local Government Corruption Part 8,623 Edition [1]
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Date: 2025-06-24
I have absolutely no clue how many diaries on local government corruption have been posted on DKos over the last 23 years, so I went with a random number off the top of my head. Today’s edition features my own local government yet again because why not? They are so incredibly corrupt here.
I have written quite a bit about the government of the Town of Hempstead. As the US’ largest township by population, it encompasses not only the entirety of the NY-4 district, but also includes some of the neighboring NY-3 district. It has been controlled by the Republican Party for nearly its entire existence as a municipal government. While I cannot find any lists of the town supervisors for the entire existence of the Town, it was widely reported that current NY-4 Congresswoman Laura Gillen, elected in 2017 and served one term, was the first Democratic supervisor in more than a century. I had argued she was likely the first ever, but without any evidence, I cannot claim that with any authority.
Even with her election, the town council was still overwhelmingly controlled by the Republicans. Republicans have used their total control to do virtually any corrupt thing you can think of with impunity. To give you a small sample: turning civil service positions into patronage jobs, hiring friends and family for no show jobs, denying jobs to anyone who isn’t a paying member of the Republican Part from town jobs, forcing family members of town employees to change their party registration to Republican, voting to give friends and family who are town employees raises and perks, using public money to advertise themselves during election periods, having town employees perform campaign functions, taking pandemic money to give to their patronage employees, etc. I could go on for a lot longer.
Thanks to a new law passed last year by the State Legislature, this year will be the final year town elections will take place during odd numbered years. The current town supervisor, who had defeated Laura Gillen 6 years ago, is up for re-election but decided against running due to enacting a 12,5% tax increase on town residents this year. One would think due to this fact, there would be no incumbent running; unfortunately, that would be wrong. Rather than serve the remainder of his term, the current supervisor has decided to resign and allow the Republicans to appoint a new supervisor giving him the mark of incumbency for the election. In fact, 6 of the last 10 town supervisors, all Republicans obviously, were all appointed to the position rather than being initially elected to the position. Corruption at its very worst. While the Republican Party is screaming about how it is unfair to hold local elections during even years when turnout is significantly higher especially from voters who traditionally vote Democratic, they have no qualms about essentially rigging elections by regularly appointing a new supervisor less than 6 months before an election when the current one decides not to seek re-election.
This year the Democratic Party may have finally gotten its act together recognizing how the drop off hurts them in local elections looking at 2024 when they picked up two House seats and 2022 & 2023 when the party took a beating. The party has made a conscious effort to reach some of these drop off voters. If we do win some elections this year, it could be because of this effort or it could be a repeat of 2017 when the backlash to Trump propelled the Dems to historic victories. I am hoping it both.
Unfortunately, I will be unavailable to write next week as it time for the annual Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center. This trade show features over a 1000 food, candy, drink, and other vendors from around the world showcasing their wares. It also features other events for people in food service and retail industry. As part of a family-owned candy store, we look forward to it every year. This year we will be a part of their buyer’s program which gives us access to some evening festivities as well as comped passes to the exhibit hall, a free room at a hotel near Grand Central and Uber vouchers. Should be a good time. We will also be doing our monthly classic movie at the theatre while in The City. This month is the 30th anniversary of Clueless. See everyone back here in a couple of weeks.
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