Hempstead Town Supervisor Candidates: Meet Diane Madden

Voters in the Town of Hempstead will head to the polls Nov. 5 to cast their ballots for the Town Supervisor.

This year, Democratic incumbent Laura Gillen is being challenged by Republican Donald X. Clavin, who is currently the town's Receiver of Taxes. She is also being challenged by Independence Party candidate Diane Madden.

Patch reached out to all three candidates to hear where they stand on important issues affecting the community.

Here are the responses for those who participated. The answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Diane Madden

• Age (as of Sept. 1): 59
• Town of Residence: East Meadow
• Position Sought: Hempstead Town Supervisor
• Party Affiliation: Independence Party - Endorsed by Libertarian Party
• Family: I have four remarkable children ages ranging between 25 and 41. I am also blessed with three precious grandchildren also living locally and giving me even more incentive to reform our government to the days, opportunities and vision many of our parents held in high hopes No job has been more important to me than raising and supporting my children right here in Hempstead while continuing the same traditions, supporting the same small businesses and instilling the same fundamentals to help my grandchildren succeed and contribute to a better environment. Their personal happiness, success and empathic nature is also my reward and their overall well being my priority. Long after this election, regardless of outcome as as my children and their children grow and settle locally, I, along with the support of the public, will seek and continue to help transform a government that's failed it's citizens to one that visibly prioritizes them. The future, as far as government is concerned will only be bright if there's a consistent light shining on it. My record speaks for itself as an advocate, in shedding that light for over eighteen years. Neither of my opponents can claim my record on government engagement, involvement, efforts to clean up bad governing and my vocal support of community and of abandoned animals. No one has been more vulnerable to our overpowering government than the voiceless or weak and I have asked nothing of the board but to have them be heard. I believe the children are Hempsteads future and it is up to our communities to collectively fix this politically motivated, inflicted mess. Let's engage and educate them in government early on as a reminder that government is expected to work for them, not against them.
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No. I have always made any necessary sacrifices and steered my family with includes extended relatives and friends away from Hempstead government, passing up any and all opportunities as I saw first hand since 2000 the toxicity of politically and self motivated operations throughout Hempstead, the unfair documented favoritism and how the system actually ruined and discouraged some of the best and most highly qualified people I've known. This was solely due to the interference and abuse of political power, greed and lack of ethical conduct which has taken place under both major parties. I myself, have turned down lucrative employment with the town in prior years as I felt uneasy about their intent or willingness to truly reform operations where my suspicions were recently confirmed. I know firsthand what some employees go through having heard from them confidentially for nearly two decades and when employees of our town turn to endless coping strategies to deal with a now politically divisive and intimidating work environment we have taken a wrong turn and must retrace our steps and make different choices that support good government initiatives while supporting the employees who serve our residents. To date, many employees throughout every department fight through their day to maintain productively even in cases where they are set up for failure and are unsure when they will be the next politically driven target as they watch the favored lavishing in party privilege as their bad deeds are denied or dismissed . We have a government structure that hired people with the expectation of financially supporting political corruption while trying to support the needs of their families.
• Education: High School - I gave birth to my first child at eighteen years of age and my top priority was to be a fully accessible mother. I felt my plans could wait however on my first visit to the Hempstead Shelter nearly two decades ago life took an unexpected turn and since that day, I have not been able to simply turn my head the other way. I've learned nearly everything I've needed to having been seated at every single Hempstead Town board meeting since 2010. My attendance record is 100% and exceeds that of any board member. My approach has always been, "When you know better, do better," and I'm a believer that we must constantly be open to learning new things and considering new ways to reach common goals.
• Occupation: I am an Advocate. My experience in Advocacy is non stop and longstanding dating back to 2000. I never set out to be an Advocate much less a whistle blower but in good conscience could not ignore the overall and carefully documented mismanagement, misconduct and mistreatment of Hempstead's animals nor human underdogs whether they were private citizens or the workforce both union and non union. I have sacrificed and postponed a higher education as well as other opportunities to accomplish two goals; raising my four children both hands-on-deck along with lending my voice to those either having none or fearful to raise their own. This has been consuming yet rewarding and at a time the public is very engaged I believe much more can be accomplished. I've done my personal best to work with and encourage both political parties and their officials to prioritize the public and create a transparent and accountable government yet have more times than not met with opposition, excuses, stall tactics, intimidation, false promises, character assassinations and repetitive personal and private attacks which included but not limited to the manipulation and falsification of official documents. Still, I stand firm and with unshakable faith.
• Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None.
• Campaign Website: dianemadden.net

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Money management/spending. The way taxpayer dollars have been wildly misspent for decades has negatively effected, contributed to or created every single issue town wide whether it's crumbing infrastructure, contaminated water, skyrocketing taxes, over development, vacant store fronts, lack of affordable housing and insufficient jobs and the list goes on. For example, on October 2, 2019 the town board delayed the approval for the transfer of reserve funds for overages (amounting to twenty million+ dollars) that occurred in 2018. Meanwhile our elected officials will craft the 2020 budget without knowing what the current reserve levels are. Another example is that the politically appointed "Compliance Officer" responsible for evaluating and investigating public complaints on Waste, Fraud and Abuse was found to have made generous and repeated donations to his party. This employee is under a current Investigation being stalled as a member of the "Ethics Board" resigned, for these confirmed allegations yet remains in place and neither party leader has requested his resignation or even to temporarily step down to allow proper outside inspections of reports on alleged corruption. There's only ONE solution to begin the repair process, never before done, to effectively reverse this wrongdoing both major parties have contributed to or complied with and that is to hire top notch OUTSIDE experts having proven records and above all NON POLITICALLY DRIVEN to oversee the current politically driven gatekeepers as seen with the Compliance Officer. These are not over site efforts they are schemes to defraud the public proven time after time. Historically and as seen with the current administration, both parties have exclusively hired political insiders from a list provided by their prospective parties. As the old saying goes, "You can't serve two masters." I don't answer to ANY party much less a party boss. "We the people" from years of front row view have NEVER been a top priority in Hempstead government and that fact echoes in the voices of residents fleeing from Hempstead or planning an exit strategy at their first opportunity. That misguided list of priorities ends when I become Supervisor and my record speaks for itself. The exit strategies should be from misguided officials, not residents paying their politically determined salaries. My administration will be "The People's Administration" overseeing all departments and matters of public welfare, protection and concern. They will work as true public servants in a hopeful collaboration with current staff and the board on behalf of the taxpayers and those public servants will answer to them. Those hooking on to the new wagon, and I wholeheartedly believe many will, to prioritize the public will be praised and those determined to keep the status quo will be asked to resign.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am foregoing any salary. I am not accepting financial campaign donations. My views cannot be bought or sold. I hold an eighteen + year record for advocating for the most vulnerable among us. I hold the highest expectations and standards for good government and I've publicly testified and defended those who have been discriminated against or targeted for speaking up on waste, fraud or abuse. I don't seek fame, photo ops or credit, I seek fairness. I don't turn my head on corruption, bullying nor do I pick and choose which corruption to comply with and which to focus on. I am not beholden to any party nor party boss. I WILL ENFORCE EVERY TOWN LAW and make certain that every previous and current town law that's violated has consequences or penalties. I will amend the recently passed (via bipartisan, unanimous vote) town law which allows Commissioners and others to freely delve out UNLIMITED $50,000.00 Contracts to friends and family WITHOUT board approval nor public knowledge (if they exceed the $50,000.00 threshold there is no punishment or accountability written into the current law). This careless act if not corrected will cost taxpayers millions of dollars spend right under their noses. I will seek the town attorneys resignation based on conflicts, corruption, interference in investigations, protecting political appointments, allowing physical injuries to staff and volunteers to occur to hide political job favors, punishing hard working employees and the public via his deputy attorney, lack of moral and ethical conduct and utter failure to enforce the towns own codes and laws. I take the side of the weak, never the powerful. Please refer to my record and years of public testimony.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

The current bipartisan board is running out of our money, has spent it haphazardly via contracts and political hires, has failed to hold high ranking employees accountable and have ignored constituents pleas to return outside experts to oversee the five million tax dollar animal shelter also requested by the County Comptroller though ignored, following a scathing fiscal audit. They have failed to prioritize the public over their prospective political parties, have threatened the public to "walk out" of meetings if public servants are questioned and have failed to uphold the town's own laws also having even abused their power and personal use and gain of employees by demanding that public safety officers physically remove citizens for speaking out on issues of public concern. Importantly, both political parties have obstructed an Operational Audit (still pending in Court) of the tax funded $5 million dollar animal shelter ($4+ million allocated to salaries) which called for Subpoenas of previous Supervisor Anthony Santino and the current Director using tax dollars to fund an outside politically connected law firm which has cost taxpayers an immeasurable amount of money. In short, they are using our money to keep out operational auditors, ignoring the red flags of the fiscal audit, it's claims of being obstructed by Hempstead officials at every turn while being denied information, and to stop all transparency. The board has also failed to address the pleas of the CSEA Union President Theresa Kohutka, to stop and prevent the amount of documented physical injuries (requiring urgent medical attention at taxpayer expense) to union employees and volunteers as a result of hiring an unqualified trainer to fulfill a political job favor which has resulted in animal mistreatment, death, dangerous evaluations and legal action against the town. To date and due to the fraudulence of the behavior contract and to hide incompetence and corrupt hiring taxpayers have since been straddled with paying three times the going salary rate to a part time patronage employee who falsified credentials and certifications resulting in injuries. A test to prosper and further secure this employee has been released in spite of the proven fraudulence of the hiring. such schemes have been ramped in Hempstead and other than the public the only people who will ever change this pattern are outsiders having no other motive than to prioritize the welfare of the public.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

One of the biggest betrayals to taxpayers has been the absence of employment opportunities for those having no political ties but being among the most highly qualified. On day one, I will reform the Civil Service Commission, with the help of top outside experts having a labor relations background, to better reflect Hempstead's population while including Veterans, minorities and differently abled people. To measure the difference under "The People's Administration" and in an effort to bolster transparency I will post periodic statistics and percentages of all hiring of full, part time and contracted services provided town wide on it's official sites as well as the monthly recommendations from an outside, non political resume review board. I will also post the amount and expenses of all litigation and efforts to prevent and resolve current litigation. As a mother and grandmother I am alarmed about the contamination of our drinking water and along with other incentives to improve our environment I will immediately address this issue following election. I will also appoint a highly knowledgeable committee to evaluate and oversee any future development efforts and will request that my fellow board members join me and commit to refusing all donations from developers. To protect pets and consumers, I will also ask the board to join me in preventing any further delivery of animals coming from commercial sources into Hempstead Town. It's been eighteen years and I am ready to hit the ground running with a firm and lengthy agenda hoping for the support and collaboration of board members and new Union leadership to whom I believe have the best intentions and flexible to all things related to improved conditions for the work force.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Over the years I have locked horns yet shaken hands with both major parties and government employees while drafting and achieving legislation which has ultimately saved tax dollars. Although they were short lived following a NYS Audit I helped to achieve improvements made to the animal shelter included a Volunteer Program and mandatory spay neuter of stray and abandoned animals. Both of these programs are cost effective and work towards reducing tax burdens. Once the lights went out on the first NYS audit by 2014, resurrected were the same politically motivated habits and political hiring which cost tax dollars, physical injuries and a plethora of law suits where additional tax dollars are used to fund politically connected law firms. The shelter is the only department town wide which has been so closely examined and duplicates the systematic problems in other departments. Even the donation money in "Tails of Hope Fund" in which I created has been mishandled where money is being denied to the most eligible organizations helping our animals. If the town officials cannot manage a few thousand dollars properly how are they handling our millions? I believe that I can handle this job based on my relentless drive, ability and reputation to work with anyone willing to move forwars and dedication at no taxpayer cost to right wrongs, my proven record, knowledge of operations, a plethora of almost decades of open communication with members of the workforce but above all my intent to bring in on an administrative level the most highly accredited experts having vast experience, driven to be public servants and particularly to resolve complex issues outside of my personal expertise. Whether it is me or another candidate in the future determined to prioritize the public over all political parties I believe the public is awake, willing and eager to take a giant leap forward, to unite and put forth the best and most knowledgeable, like minded people to help fix Hempstead. We cannot accomplish this though, without giving the two party system a good long time out.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Actions speak louder than words.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have physically protested both major parties and their officials for wrongdoing while consistently keeping an open minded approach supportive of good communication and compromise. I have achieved two Audits (NYS - 2011 and County- 2017-19) of the animal shelter that validated every one of my allegations for decades of corruption, wasteful spending, political hiring of the most incompetent , mismanagement and more. I am not collecting campaign money as it's more important for me to set an expectation that people should be prioritized over politically driven donors, namely developers. How can I ask for money from a community trying to put food on their tables and pay the taxes? I prefer to ask for a little bit of faith and word of mouth. I am a firm believer in the Constitution and rights of citizens, above all freedom of speech and I take seriously the pledge of allegiance to our American flag siting "justice for all." I don't condone shutting down one side of a conversation including the issues about marijuana and although this is not my platform I believe further facts, statistics and research could benefit constituents. I also believe the public should hear more details and opinions from enforcement agencies to better answer questions and encourage further dialogue. As Supervisor I vow to bring the most transparency and accountability ever seen to government while trimming every budget town wide. I don't like spending other peoples money on anything that doesn't prosper those people and believe that the past and current administration continue to make Hempstead unsustainable due to wasteful spending and over development. I am gravely concerned about water quality, chemically driven "cancer pockets" and instead of kicking the can down the road will open all possibilities of correcting and reversing years of damage while providing a platform for public education on what they can do, how they can empower themselves (as environmental policies are enacted) to protect their loved ones until the issue is reversed. I am asking voters to help spread the people first message and mission of my campaign and encourage their participation in government at every opportunity. I also ask that on November 5th they vote their hopes instead of supporting the two party system where both have faced arrests, convictions and outside investigations by enforcement agencies. My last request is that voters give me whatever last glimmer of hope they have for government as I believe if it's redirected to prioritize the public over any party we may just leave behind a reason for future generations to settle here instead of packing their belongings. Many of our parents had a vision and now it's up to us to refresh and lay the groundwork to repair layers of self serving and broken government. I may not have all of the answers however, I do have a working conscience. I encourage voters to educate themselves on proven records, not words. Many thanks for any interest in my effort to provide a seat at the table for the people of Hempstead and to bring fairness and equality to the workforce both union and non union who keep our town on it's feet 24/7 regardless of political precedence, priority or interference. Bridges must be built and communication opened between the public, officials, the union representatives and employees as the success of any town is dependent on the success of those vital relationships. Many of these voices have not been heard and I hope we can change that on November 5th. The only thing I will consider non negotiable would be to continue to use or herd the public during campaign season then putting them directly behind the best interest of any political party. People FIRST. Count the people IN. Let's do this.