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 Poncé and Vega Baja (Puerto Rico). He is the seventh of eight children and the first to obtain a college degree and postgraduate degree (law degree/license).

Mark's community involvement 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 Seaford Wellness Council, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club, Manager/Coach of the North Bellmore/North Merrick Little League, Basketball League, Police Athletic League and Catholic Youth Organizations.

Mark Bonilla served on the President's Advisory Board on Multi-Cultural Concerns for Molloy College, which awards two annual scholarships to African-American and Hispanic students. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Hispanic Repertory Theatre, which seeks to educate society as to Hispanic Arts and Culture through theatre and drama.

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.