James W. Gounaris

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JAMES W. GOUNARIS

Republican

BACKGROUND:

• Gounaris, 59, of New Hyde Park, is seeking his first term on the North Hempstead Town Board.
• He has served on the Herricks Board of Education for 13 years and is the current president. Gounaris has a long history working in the food service industry, including in his current capacity as food and nutrition director for Great Neck Public Schools.
• He is a member of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association and holds a bachelor’s in computer science from St. John’s University.

ISSUES: 

• Gounaris said he wants to find ways to better deliver services such as repaving roads, fixing curbs and replacing dead trees.
• While he supports affordable housing, he said he does not support state proposals that would bypass local town ordinances to build housing. He said the state and local government need to work together.
• On crime, he said he would support measures that give local police the tools they need to combat crime.