This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

May Newburger Honored by Town of North Hempstead

Past and present officials gather to pay tribute to Newburger.

During her time as Town of North Hempstead Supervisor, May Newburger had always seemed to get her way in office. Whether her way included constructing Harbor Links or paving the way for women in local government, May Newburger’s way seemed the always be the right way for the .

So when the Town of North Hempstead planned on honoring May Newburger by renaming Fairway Drive to May Newburger Drive, the past and present government officials suggested a new name for the street: May Newburger Way.

“I think it’s wonderful that the entrance of Harbor Links is going to be named in her honor,” said New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. “May Newburger Drive? It seems to be May Newburger Way because May Newburger always gets her way.”

Find out what's happening in Port Washingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Elected official after elected official came forward in front of the Town of North Hempstead to celebrate the years of public service by May Newburger. Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, who served as Town Clerk under Newburger, cited the sweeping changes that Newburger brought to the town.

“I’ve always known it’s May way or the highway,” Schimel said. “She is a pioneer for women elected officials. But on so many other fronts including but not limited to the environment, water quality, open space, preventing domestic violence, childcare and pay equity. I always want to emulate May’s courage when I vote. I have learned that sometimes the hard vote is the right vote and I’ve learned that from May Newburger.”

Find out what's happening in Port Washingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Of all the accomplishments achieved during her tenure, Newburger’s proudest achievement was her ability to turn the town’s fiscal forecast around ten-fold.

“I’m most proud of inheriting a $6,000,000 deficit and we left Jon with a $16,000,000 surplus," Newburger said. "I’m also proud of turning the Town’s credit rating to the highest it was at that time."

The construction of Harbor Links, however, is something Newburger will always be remembered for as she retold a story from an old friend.

“I have a friend that said you did all that legislation in Albany on rape victims, incest, the environment and the landfills,” Newburger recalled. “But he said I’ll be most remembered for one thing: golf.”

Golf, however, is not the only thing Newburger has contributed to the Town of North Hempstead. Newburger was the first woman to ever hold the position of Town Supervisor at the Town of North Hempstead and influenced many of the politicians who were in attendance Tuesday.  

“May’s influence has gone from generation to generation in her one lifetime,” said former County Executive Thomas Suozzi. “We all benefit because of her leadership and the sacrifices she’s made throughout her life to try and make the world a little bit better.”

Current  attributed his administration’s success to the foundation that Newburger left during her time as Supervisor.

“She was the Supervisor during very difficult times when the Town was struggling through a lot of financial issues,” Kaiman said. “We were able to utilize her success and take it to the next level. We wouldn’t have been able to do all the wonderful things that I think we’ve been doing over the last few years if May didn’t lay that foundation. She gave us a chance to really engage our community that no one could have imagined a decade ago.”

As for renaming Fairway Drive, a street leading directly to Harbor Links and the greater Port Washington area, Kaiman couldn’t have thought of a more appropriate place for Newburger.

“This street is not simply a street going to a golf course,” Kaiman said. “It’s a street going to an area with a history that once had no future. Instead, it has become an oasis and extraordinary place called the Town of North Hempstead and that is due to the leadership of May Newburger.”

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?