Give Hudes another term

A proven track record, a sensitivity to individual constituents’ concerns and an aggressive approach to tough issues are three of the key traits of a model elected representative.

During his 10 years on the Hempstead Town Council, Gary Hudes has exhibited these traits in spades. When residents report issues or problems, Hudes calls them back, and sometimes even shows up at their door. And he is clearly their voice in government: His discussions with constituents are not only acted on, but they have sometimes led to new legislation.

Operating this way is simply a matter of common sense to Hudes. It is a business model — putting the customer first — that benefits him not only as a local business owner, but as a councilman.

He has also displayed a passion for community beautification, especially of downtown areas. He recognizes the importance of a first impression, and consistently demands that zoning board applicants include landscaping plans for their properties. He was instrumental in creating the litter patrol, a group of town workers who quietly clean trash along main streets like Hempstead Turnpike and East Meadow Avenue.

Hudes is part of a town administration that held the line on taxes last year and plans to actually reduce next year’s budget, while maintaining the essential services residents depend on. While town officials are feeling the heat from the developers and supporters of the Lighthouse project, Hudes says he supports development of the Nassau Coliseum property, but that some questions about the rest of the plan remain unanswered.

He raised concerns about aspects of the Lighthouse project that could directly impact its neighbors, East Meadow and Salisbury. He questioned the effects of new traffic patterns on those communities, and whether there would be enough funding available for essential road improvements.

We trust that Hudes’s approach to the Lighthouse is driven not by politics, but instead by his promise to represent his community. It is crucial, especially with a project of this magnitude, for elected officials to be aware of all of the commercial, cultural and social implications and to rely on facts, not assumptions.

We encourage Hudes’s challenger, Matthew Hynes, to stay involved in politics. In fact, we’d like nothing more than to see him run for elective office again in the near future. His enthusiasm for his community is refreshing. He has a winning personality, and manifests a genuine concern for the environment and quality-of-life issues.

Next month, however, we urge voters to re-elect Hudes, whose experience, energy and record of success are crucial to guiding his 6th District constituents through both the tough economic times ahead and their fast-changing lives on suburban Long Island.