Mark A. Bonilla

Mark A. Bonilla made history in 2003 by becoming the first Hispanic to be elected to a town-wide position in the Town of Hempstead. This is the first public official position he has sought and held. Mark is a first generation Puerto Rican-American whose parents were born in Ponce and Vega Baja (Puerto Rico). He is the seventh of eight children and the only person in his family to obtain a college degree and postgraduate degree (law degree/license).

Mark's public service began in college when he served as guidance counselor for Youth Ministries, assisting troubled teens. In law school, he mentored several high school students, encouraging them to remain in school and refrain from violence and gang activities. A current Bellmore resident, Mark is involved in many community related organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club, Little League Baseball (as Coach, Manager and Sponsor), and Catholic Youth Organization (as Coach and Manager).

Mark is involved in several philanthropic annual events that include providing turkeys (during Thanksgiving), coats (during the Winter Season), and toys (during Christmas/Three Kings Day) to underprivileged churches/areas throughout the Town of Hempstead.

Since in office, Mark has become extremely active and supportive of all our local schools, reading and speaking to students of all ages. Among the many positive messages relayed is that we all should be proud to be an AMERICAN. Being an American is an implicit promise to all of us that I - CAN be anything if I believe in myself and give 100%. He is a product of this American Dream and encourages all kids that this dream can be theirs as well.

Mark Bonilla earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from St. John's University and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center (Central Islip). He was a trial attorney having practiced in virtually every area of the law including criminal law, real estate, domestic relations, landlord-tenant and personal injury. He was also a referee for several Nassau County Supreme Court Justices and active with various committees of the Nassau County Bar Association.

Mark currently lives in Bellmore, with his wife Karen and their four children, Jared, Alec, Elena and Sophia.

Responsibilities of Office
The Town Clerk's Office maintains town board records and publishes notices of public hearings. It records town ordinances, local laws, personnel actions, petitions, proof of publication, annual budgets, assessment rolls, fiscal reports, notice of liens, subpoena and court actions, bond and note registers, zoning ordinances and maps. As town registrar, the office keeps birth and death records, issues birth, death and fetal certificates, burial permits, conducts genealogical searches, and issues marriage licenses and various permits. Additionally, the Town Clerk's office performs wedding ceremonies. The office processes applications for rezoning, public garages, modification of restrictive covenants, gasoline storage tanks, and GSS ordinances. The clerk is also the custodian of town records dating back to 1644 and maintains an inactive records center and historical archive.