Sitting with me in the Firehouse is Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, Jr. Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, Jr., a proud Hempstead resident of over 40 years, was elected Mayor on March 16, 2021. His public service began in 2013 as a Village Trustee and later Deputy Mayor, where he oversaw key departments including Police, Fire, and Public Works. Since taking office, he has led major revitalization efforts, securing nearly $160 million for the Village, including a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award. Mayor Hobbs is an active member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the African American Mayors Association, and NYCOM, serving on multiple committees focused on community development and government operations. A seasoned public servant, he has previously served as Supervisor of Code Enforcement, Commissioner of the Hempstead Housing Authority, and Board Member at Nassau University Medical Center. He is also a member and officer of the Hempstead Fire Department’s Truck Company One and an EMT-CC, earning the Life-Saving Star Award. Beyond his civic work, Mayor Hobbs has been the Senior Pastor of Coney Island Cathedral for over 30 years and Presiding Bishop of The Restoration Fellowship. He holds a Doctorate in Theology and is the author of New Mind, New You. Mayor Hobbs is married to Donna, a surgical RN and retired Lt. Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Together, they are committed to faith, family, and community service.