As Supervisor, Don Clavin takes the role as Chief Financial Officer of the Town of Hempstead seriously, crafting a tax-freeze budget for 2021 and a tax-cut budget for 2022, working with colleagues on the Hempstead Town Board to approve the fiscally responsible, bipartisan spending plans that provide tax relief during a time that taxpayers need it the most. What’s more, Clavin’s tax-cut budget for 2022 provides for the top-notch services and programs that residents deserve and major investments in roadway and parks upgrades through a comprehensive capital improvement plan.

In his first term as Supervisor, Don Clavin has already earned the respect of Wall Street and the trust of neighbors on Main Street. Indeed, under Don Clavin’s leadership as Supervisor, the Town of Hempstead received two credit rating upgrades in the span of 10 months, among the highest ratings available. Moody’s Investor’s Services boosted the Town of Hempstead’s credit rating from Aa2 to Aa1. In September 2021, Standard & Poor’s announced a credit rating upgrade for the Town of Hempstead from AA- to AA. Moody’s lauded the town for “… strong fiscal management, sufficient reserves and liquidity and minimal debt and pension burden” with Supervisor Clavin at the helm. In addition, Standard & Poor’s commended the town’s “strong management” and “conservative budgeting,” along with a stable outlook.

As our nation was struck by a worldwide pandemic that took a toll on public health and the economy, 2020 transformed into a year like no other. Taking the unforeseen challenges head on, Don Clavin rolled up his sleeves and reported to work every day from the early days of the pandemic alongside the co-workers of the CSEA Local 880 workforce, who continued to provide residents with uninterrupted essential services.

Committed to supporting the safe and successful reopening of businesses and communities from the state-imposed pandemic shutdowns, Don Clavin instituted the region’s first outdoor dining initiative for restaurant owners and allocated millions in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) funds to distribute thousands of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits to business owners to help protect customers and staff. When the Town of Hempstead received millions of dollars in federal CARES funds, Supervisor Clavin’s focus was to utilize the recovery funds to provide direct assistance to the residents of America’s largest township. Supervisor Clavin formed an Economic Relief Advisory Committee, a diverse group of leaders representing business, labor, education and the community to ensure that funding would be allocated to expedite the town’s economic recovery leading to the best possible outcome for residents.

Supervisor Clavin’s efforts, with bipartisan support from the Hempstead Town Board, to allocate CARES funds to community needs include a comprehensive initiative to address food insecurity through the establishment of pop-up food banks and a home meal delivery service with organizations such as Long Island Cares and Island Harvest. The efforts of Supervisor Clavin and the Town Board have resulted in millions of meals distributed to residents during the pandemic. What’s more, Don Clavin collaborated with leading medical providers, including Northwell Health and Mount Sinai South Nassau, to help provide no-cost COVID-19 testing to tens of thousands of residents, including PCR diagnostic, rapid and antibody options during the pandemic. In addition, Clavin implemented a free COVID-19 testing program for first responders and essential workers to assist these front-line men and women during the heights of the pandemic. Clavin’s federal CARES initiatives also includes millions of dollars in financial aid to front-line entities, including hospitals, villages, fire departments, schools, colleges and universities and other community organizations to assist with pandemic response.

In March of 2021, Supervisor Clavin and the Hempstead Town Board partnered with Mount Sinai South Nassau to unveil the first mobile vaccination unit in New York State (second in the nation). Since then, the Town of Hempstead has provided over 7,000 free COVID-19 vaccines to residents, bringing the service to communities across America’s largest township. In addition, Clavin boosted the Town’s efforts by spearheading the establishment of a homebound vaccination program administered by the town’s in-house EMS squad.

Prior to his term as Hempstead Town Supervisor, Don Clavin served 18 years as Receiver of Taxes for America’s largest township. During that time, Don Clavin embraced innovation and brought that legacy to the Supervisor’s office. As Receiver, Clavin was the first in New York State to implement the first paperless e-Billing system in New York State, as well as Long Island’s first Autopay tax payment feature and drive-thru payment options.

As Supervisor, Don Clavin followed through on a commitment to modernize the Building Department, working with his colleagues on the Town Board to bring the department online for the first time and streamline services by eliminating multiple trips to Town Hall and processing applications electronically. Supervisor Clavin regularly works with department heads to coordinate similar efforts to modernize and improve services within America’s largest township.

Earning his Bachelor of Arts from Canisius College in Buffalo, Don received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Hofstra University School of Law right here in Hempstead Town. He gained experience working as a trial attorney that practiced in all New York courts as well as United States Federal District Courts. Don Clavin earned valuable experience in local government while working in the Office of the Nassau County Attorney as Deputy County Attorney. There, he was responsible for defending various agencies of government ranging from the Department of General Services to the Nassau County Police Department. After leaving the County Attorney’s office, Clavin entered the private sector and went on to represent various corporations including Home Depot and General Motors.

Don Clavin is a lifelong resident of the Town of Hempstead, where he and his wife, Nancy, are proud to be raising their two daughters and son. Don’s mother was the first woman to ever serve as Valley Stream Village Trustee, and his father served as District Court Judge. Clavin is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Garden City, Irish Americans in Government, the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, the Nassau County Bar Association and the Knights of Columbus. Clavin also served as a volunteer on the Valley Stream Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee in the Village of Valley Stream.