Oyster Bay Town Clerk Candidates: Meet Rachel Klein

PLAINVIEW, NY — Voters in the Town of Oyster Bay will head to the polls Nov. 5 to cast their ballots for supervisor, council, clerk and receiver of taxes.

In the race for town clerk, Rachel Klein and Richard LaMarca are vying to fill James Altadonna Jr.'s seat. Altadonna is running for supervisor on the Democratic ticket against Republican incumbent Joseph Saladino.

The clerk's office maintains all town records and keeps track of key numbers. The office also issues licenses and permits, including shellfish, peddlers, parking, secondhand dealers, waste removal, hunting, fishing and dog, as well as birth certificates, marriage licenses and death transcripts. Passports can also be applied for through this office.

The clerk is elected every two years.

Unincorporated areas in the town include Bethpage, East Norwich, Glen Head, parts of Glenwood Landing, Greenvale, Hicksville, Jericho, Locust Valley, Massapequa, North Massapequa, Old Bethpage, Oyster Bay, Plainview, Seaford, South Farmingdale, Syosset and Woodbury.

Incorporated villages in the town include Bayville, Brookville, Centre Island, Cove Neck, Farmingdale, Lattingtown, Laurel Hollow, Massapequa Park, Matinecock, Mill Neck, Muttontown, Old Brookville, Old Westbury, Oyster Bay Cove, Roslyn Harbor, Sea Cliff, Upper Brookville and Westbury.

Patch reached out to both candidates via email and/or Facebook to hear where they stand on important issues affecting the community.

Here are their responses.

Rachel Klein

• Age (as of Sept. 1): 40
• Town of residence: Plainview
• Position sought: Oyster Bay Town Clerk
• Party affiliation: Democrat.
• Family: Seth, public school teacher; Emma, age 8; Grayson, age 4.
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No.
• Education: BFA from NYUMA from Columbia University MAT from Queens College.
• Occupation: Teacher/stay-at-home mom.
• Previous or current elected or appointed office: N/A.
• Campaign Website: ElectRachelKlein.com

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

The culture of corruption. It’s wrong, and it costs us as taxpayers. I intend to be a check on our local government. The town clerk is the keeper of the town records. It’s critical that we have someone honest in this role.

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

My biggest asset is my character. I am kind, honest, and hardworking. Service to others is extremely important to me, and I am proud to have organized numerous projects and drives to give back to our community, even during this busy campaign season. I have motivated other good people to get involved, to make calls and knock on doors and register new voters. I believe that it will be regular people like us who restore decency and honest, good government to the Town of Oyster Bay.

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

No response.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I will modernize the clerk’s office and increase transparency by putting as much as possible online. This will improve accessibility as well.

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

As a mom, I certainly know how to multitask. As a special education teacher, I know how to advocate for others and serve the needs of a diverse population. As the founder of a local grassroots group, I know how to step up and work hard to solve a problem.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

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

Good people can make a difference. I am coming from a volunteer background. I’ve seen firsthand the impact we can have when we organize and work together toward a common goal. We just need to step up and get involved. And most importantly, vote! Every election matters.