Murray Releases Budget Proposal, Town Employee Starts Prison Term

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray has presented a 2013 budget proposal that reduces the total amount of taxes that will be collected in 2013, according to a release from the town.

Murray stated that her 2013-planned budget also maintains all town services in full force. Murray explained that her budget plan avoids the types of fiscal maneuvers that only forestall tough budgetary decisions, the release reads.

According to the release, while some governments have borrowed to unsustainable levels instead of making tough decisions, Hempstead Town is actually reducing its debt service for the fourth consecutive year under the 2013 budget. In fact, debt service is down almost 15 percent in the 2013-spending plan versus the 2010 debt service figure.

Another cost control initiative on the part of the town is a 1.2 percent reduction in budgeted salaries in the 2013 budget over the current year’s amount, the release says. The town's 0.5 percent tax reduction in this proposal constitutes $1.3 million, according to the release. In addition to the $262.2 million in property taxes to be levied under this budget, non-property tax revenues include $15.3 million in mortgage recording revenues, $3.8 million in state per capita aid and $13.2 million in refuse disposal revenues. The 2013 budget totals $419.4 million.

Robert Core to Begins Prison Term

Former Hempstead Public Safety Officer Robert Core, who's car struck and killed a pedestrian while he was allegedly driving intoxicated in July of 2011, will surrender to Nassau County Court on Thursday to serve a nine-month prison term, according to Nassau County Court officials. Core was found guilty of aggravated drunken driving, a misdemeanor, and sentenced on Sept. 27.

Click here to read more about the incident involving Core.

With Matthew Hogan