James Gounaris is running for North Hempstead Town Council because his community trusts him to deliver a more effective, transparent Town government for all residents. As the current President of the Herricks School Board, parents in our community entrust Jim both to ensure their children are receiving a quality education in a safe, welcoming environment and to protect their tax dollars. Jim also has decades of private sector business experience and knows what it takes to implement efficiencies to save taxpayers money. As our next Councilman, Jim will be a tireless advocate for fiscal responsibility, our suburban quality of life, and carrying out high quality Town services.
Jim has served on the Herricks School Board since 2011, leading one of the state’s most successful school districts with distinction and overseeing its $120 million budget. He safeguards your tax dollars like his own, and it is this fiscally responsible approach to budgeting that has allowed him to improve the Herricks student experience while controlling taxes. From modernizing classroom technology and increasing athletic, musical, and STEM opportunities to upgrading district facilities, Jim has expanded countless services, added additional support for students and staff, and has helped to foster an inclusive, tolerant, and respectful school environment while still watching the bottom line. As a North Hempstead Town Councilman, Jim will eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse from the Town Budget, implement efficiencies, and, ultimately, cut property taxes to ease the financial burden on residents. He’ll also work to deliver quality services, maintain our beautiful parks, and re-pave more roadways.
Protecting our suburban quality of life is a top priority for James. With state proposals threatening to eliminate single-family home neighborhoods, allowing densely populated towering apartments on residential streets, and seizing control of local zoning decisions, Jim understands that Town Government is our last line of defense. He will be a firm voice against plans for overdevelopment and state overreach. Instead, Jim will work to increase housing for seniors and young people that contributes to the suburban character of our local neighborhoods. At the same time, he will fight to ensure all residents feel safe and accepted in the Town of North Hempstead as he has done as a Herricks school board member. He will partner with the Nassau County Police Department to take a more proactive role in public safety and crime prevention, while expanding community efforts to fight Anti-Asian and Jewish hate. He will work with all faiths and cultures to ensure their acceptance in our community by all.
While the world was in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Jim relied on his many years of experience in the restaurant industry to set up emergency food sites. He and his food services team at Great Neck Public schools operated these food sites for families struggling to feed their children and themselves. Understanding the needs of our community, these sites also offered kosher and vegetarian food to ensure all participants could remain true to their religious beliefs. Jim knows the people in our community, and has a proven record of creating jobs, balancing budgets, and managing a unionized workforce - all real-world skills that will benefit taxpayers as James brings a new, yet trusted voice to the North Hempstead Town Board.
Active in his community, James is a member of AHEPA (the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association), which is dedicated to replacing hate with education across the country. He has been involved with the Sons of Pericles as Past National Supreme President, Boy and Cub Scouts as a former leader, and the Hellenic American Neighborhood Action Committee. He also served on the Clinton G. Martin Pool renovation committee and is a member of the Nassau County Police Commissioner’s Community Council.
James Gounaris for North Hempstead Town Council