Flower Hill Mayor Election Candidates: Meet Kate Hirsch

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Village elections are planned this month featuring a pair of mayoral duels in Manorhaven and Flower Hill.

In Flower Hill, Mayor Brian Herrington seeks election against challenger Kate Hirsch. Herrington is running on the Flower Hill Party. He stepped into office in April following the death of Mayor Robert McNamara. Randall Rosenbaum, the deputy mayor, and trustee Gary Lewandowski, are running on Herrington's ticket.

Hirsch is running under the Liberty Party. Her ticket includes Diane Turner, Jay Silverman and Jeffery Greilsheimer.

Voting will begin Sept. 15 at Flower Hill Village Hall from noon to 9 p.m.

Patch has reached out to both mayoral candidates to fill out our 2020 candidate questionnaire. Here are their responses, lightly edited for clarity.

See also:

• Flower Hill Mayor Election Candidates: Meet Brian Herrington
  
• Mail-In Voting In New York: Deadlines, How To Get A Ballot
• New Yorkers Can Now Apply Online For Absentee Ballot
• Kate Hirsch Discusses Flower Hill Election - Sept 15th 2020

Kate Maguire Hirsch

Age as of Election Day (Nov. 3): 53

Town of residence: Manhasset

Position Sought: Town Office (Mayor)

Party Affiliation: Republican/Liberty Party

Family:

Jonathan Hirsch, MD (husband)(68-year-old anesthesiologist at NSUH Manhasset); Hannah Hirsch (daughter) (19-year-old sophomore at Washington University in St. Louis); Karl Hirsch (son) (17-year-old senior at Paul D. Schreiber High School in Port Washington)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Education

University of Connecticut - Bachelor of Arts, 1988 cum laude; University of Connecticut - Juris Doctorate, 1992

Occupation

Part-time litigation attorney and part-time professional liability claims specialist (medical malpractice defense).

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Trustee, Village Flower Hill (since October 2016)

Campaign website: kateforfhmayor.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

The Village of Flower Hill is a great community. The 20 years that I have been a resident of Flower Hill have been wonderful - I was fortunate to raise my children within walking distance of a beautiful park, I love the change of seasons reflected in the majestic trees that line our roads and I have made wonderful friends in my neighborhood. We have great services from the village, especially our road crew led by our wonderful highway superintendent Richard Falcones and I want to make sure that continues. The Flower Hill leadership has been concentrated in one party for decades which can lead to stagnation. I decided to run for mayor to challenge the establishment and provide a fresh perspective while maintaining the great services that the village provides to residents every day.

The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing Flower Hill is a loss of local control. Recent developments in federal and state law (restricting local government ability to control the installation of telecommunications equipment on Village Rights of Way; severe reduction of the SALT deduction; unfunded state mandates on local government) are having significant impacts on our right to self-government. Additionally, special interests groups are donating to local campaigns to influence decisions made at the local level. As a mayoral candidate I have decided to run a fully self-funded campaign and am not beholden to any outside political pressure. On a state and national level I will tirelessly advocate for changes to roll back the legislation that has resulted in increased taxes, unwanted infrastructure and uncontrolled expenses dictated by Albany.

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

I am self-funded and beholden to no special interest. My opponent has received significant donations from special interests groups which have outside agendas that are not necessarily in line with what is best for our residents. Additionally, the most obvious difference is gender. Flower Hill traditionally has been run by a male dominated Board of Trustees and my party offers a more balanced ticket with two women and two men. Based on the current board make up, no matter which party wins the Sept. 15 election all regions of Flower Hill (Roslyn, Port Washington and Manhasset) each will have board representation.

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

As my opponent took office as mayor during the campaign cycle due to the unfortunate passing of our former mayor, I don't consider myself a challenger "so to speak." However, as former Deputy Mayor and now Mayor Brian Herrington has failed Flower Hill by leading a politically motivated "investigation" into my conduct which he funded with over $30,000 in taxpayer funds. Despite a finding of no misconduct, Brian Herrington further failed the village by representing, on village letterhead, that my conduct was inappropriate. Utilizing his office for political gain clearly shows that Brian Herrington is not fit to be mayor.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

The most important issue for my campaign is transparency. As with the "investigation" into my conduct, Flower Hill has become accustomed to working in the shadows and avoiding public discourse on important issues. As mayor my first order of business would be to throw open the doors of Village Hall and welcome the residents and their valuable input into how our village is managed.

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

I am a child of immigrant parents who could not afford to send me to college much less law school. I worked my way through both, graduating with honors, and made partner at my law firm within eight years of graduation. I have successfully tried cases to verdict while being a mother to two young children. Additionally, I have crafted a life that provides me with happiness no matter what the circumstance. The support of my wonderful family allows me to work, volunteer, and manage myriad other things while also maintaining close and healthy home relationships.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Listening to people is more important than speaking at them.

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

If the residents of Flower Hill put their faith and trust in me and elect me as mayor, I will take the job with no agenda other than to serve the needs of the residents to the best of my ability, every day.