Getting to know Councilman Bruce Blakeman

Blakeman discusses his new appointment, the needs of Long Island and how he can help fix the brown water problem.

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Bruce Blakeman, who represents parts of Malverne in the Town of Hempstead’s 3rd Councilmatic District, visited the Herald offices last week to discuss his short- and long-term plans for office, his West Hempstead fiancée, his upcoming wedding plans and how he would like to help solve Malverne’s brown water problem.

Herald: You were just appointed councilman. What else is part of your professional career?

Blakeman: Right now I’m a self-employed attorney and an entrepreneur looking at different business opportunities.

H: What entrepreneurial projects are you engaged in now?

B: I’m engaged to be married!

H: Oh really? When?

B: I’m getting married May 14.

H: You sat on the town board from 1993 to 1995. Why the return?

B: I love public service, and when the opportunity presented itself, it seemed like a good way to get back into it. I know it’s a little unconventional, but it’s a good way to get involved in the community, so I jumped at it.

H: How familiar are you with Malverne?

B: I’m extremely familiar. I grew up in Valley Stream, graduated from Central High School. Spent a lot of time as a young man playing basketball at the Westwood train station basketball courts, and on the other side of Ocean Avenue, at Harold Walker Park. For the last four years I’ve been one of the assistant volunteer coaches for Malverne’s varsity basketball team. I’m more of a mentor than a coach there. It gives me tremendous satisfaction. My dad still lives in Valley Stream, and has been there for about 66 years. I’m always in and out of the area.

H: What do you believe are the biggest problems facing Malverne today?

B: I think we have to look at the big issues facing the region, not only the village. One of the biggest is trying to keep our young people on Long Island and attract businesses here. I want to work with the town board on making the Town of Hempstead an exciting destination for both these groups. We have to look at everything like zoning; every type of land use; we have to attract businesses that create jobs, and that obviously attracts people.

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