North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena’s office said that no new signs in the town will have names added to them, upholding a campaign promise she made before being elected.

While at a Sept. 4, 2021 event, DeSena made a Facebook post that was uploaded to her page saying in part “as supervisor I would include everyone with ideas for improving town services, regardless of party affiliation. I would not put my name on signs and plaques and would welcome term limits. Trust me and Vote Row B for supervisor.”

At the time of this printing, Martin “Bunky” Reid Park in New Cassel, Whitney Pond Park in Manhasset and Herricks Ball Field in New Hyde Park have either new signs or stickers that have DeSena’s name. It is unclear if any other signs in the town have been changed to include the supervisor’s name. 

Brian Devine, director of communications for the supervisor’s office, said the additions were made before DeSena took office and no additional tax money would be spent on the signs.

“Upon Supervisor DeSena taking office, we found that departments had already updated town sign names and we learned that many existing signs were created with a replaceable spot for the supervisor’s name. Going forward, options included leaving current signs around town unfinished and sloppy or replacing them entirely. To prevent any new taxpayer money from being spent on signs, the supervisor has asked departments to refrain from adding names on new signs.”

Devine asserted that interim Highway Superintendent Harry Weed made the signs without DeSena’s knowledge and that Deputy Supervisor Joseph Scalero later emailed Weed that DeSena never advised Weed to create new signs.

According to the town website, there are over 40 parks and facilities under North Hempstead’s jurisdiction.

A previous version of this story was published. It has since been updated.