Caravan of Corruption, VITA Volunteers

This story was written by Matthew Hogan

Hempstead Town Hall was the recent site of an unusual event Tuesday - the official kickoff of the Caravan of Corruption, a statewide traveling sideshow highlighting corrupt politicians.

Presided over by flamboyant Ringmaster Charlie Vella, and complete with cardboard cutouts featuring cartoon caricatures of multiple New York public officials convicted of wrongdoings within the past decade, the Caravan featured a lighthearted poke at what its creators call a serious problem plaguing the state political system.

According to Jesse Laymon, Campaign Manager for Citizen Action of New York, recent allegations of official misconduct levied against Hempstead Town Clerk Mark Bonilla made Hempstead Town Hall the ideal place to kick off the Caravan’s tour, which will feature nine stops throughout New York State over a two-day time span.

Click here for photos and video of the event at Hempstead Town Hall.

Hempstead Town Recruiting VITA Volunteers

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray has announced that the town is seeking volunteers for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program.  Now entering its 38th year, the VITA Program is sponsored by the Town of Hempstead’s Department of Senior Enrichment under the auspices of the Internal Revenue Service.

Through the VITA program, volunteers are trained and then assigned to town senior centers and local libraries to assist town seniors and residents with limited incomes in the preparation of their federal and state income tax returns.

Volunteers need not have a professional background or any previous experience in order to assist. The only requirements for volunteering are a willingness to work with people and numbers, and availability for at least three daytime hours per week during the 10-week program (February, March and part of April 2013). Once trained, volunteers will be assigned to local libraries and senior centers.

IRS-trained instructors will train volunteers at the Department of Senior Enrichment, located at 200 North Franklin St. in Hempstead beginning Nov. 5. Saturday training sessions will be conducted on Jan. 5, 12, 19 and 26 at the Oceanside Public Library located at 30 Davison Ave. in Oceanside.

Those interested in volunteering should contact the town's Department of Senior Enrichment at (516) 485-8100, extension 274.