County Announces Deficit Reduction Plan, 200 Layoffs

An additional 200 Nassau County workers will be losing their jobs following an announcement by County Executive Ed Mangano Monday morning.

Reacting to a report from County Comptroller George Maragos which stated that the county ended fiscal 2011 with a $45 million projected deficit, Mangano announced that as part of his latest plan to reduce the shortfall while not raising property taxes approximately 200 positions would be eliminated.

Mangano also announced that in order to close the projected deficit the plan will also:

• Slash capital improvement projects.
• Cancel non-mandated contracts and departmental purchases.
• Cancel evening hours at the Nassau County Department of Social Services and Nassau County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency.

Much of the blame for Monday's announcement was placed on both parties in the Nassau Legislature, which have refused to work together on the deficit for several months.

Republicans are seeking to borrow funds to cover the shortfall but are in need of a super-majority, requiring at least one Democrat to change sides. However, Democrats have allegedly blocked the borrowing until a better deal is made regarding the county's redistricting process.

"We have two political parties that are in a standoff," CSEA President Jerry Laricchiuta said. "One won't let the other one borrow money [and] the other one won't do so until there's redistricting lines, so you have very bad politics running a government that's already in trouble."

Nassau Announces Deal to Keep Small Business Here

Nassau County has announced an deal that it says will keep a small but growing company from moving out of state and relocating from Mineola to Hicksville.

County Executive Edward P. Mangano and the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency announced Wednesday a financial compact with Litigation Settlement Administration Corp.

Click here to read more about the deal.

RFP Issued for Bicycle Concession at Cedar Creek, Eisenhower Park

County Executive Mangano issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) Wednesday seeking the establishment of a bicycle rental concession at Cedar Creek Park in Seaford and at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow

Click here to read more about the RFP.

'Reach for the Stars' Teen Talent Finals Rescheduled for July 30

Mangano announced earlier this week that the 2012 'Reach for the Stars' Teen Talent Finals has been rescheduled for Monday, July 30. The finals will be held at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park and will begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.

The 'Reach for the Stars' competition is a showcase of the county's most talented young stars between the ages of 13 and 19. Finalists were narrowed down to 21 contestants from an audition field of 64 after displaying their skillful talents as solo vocalists.

County to Upgrade NICE Bus Fleet with Federal Assistance

Mangano announced Thursday that the county and Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) have purchased 45 new buses to upgrade the system's oldest and most unreliable buses. The purchase is in large part made possible by Federal Transit Administration funds earmarked for supporting mass transit capital purchases.

The new Orion Model VII buses are scheduled to be delivered no later than the end of 2012, though they could go into service as early as this fall, according to a release. The buses being replaced are at least 12 years old and have more than 500,000 miles on the road. The overall fleet size will remain at approximately 300 buses.

County Executive Brick 26 Challenge Announced

Mangano announced Thursday that the County Executive Brick 26 Challenge will take place in Eisenhower Park on Saturday, Aug. 4. The unique walk/endurance run event will kick off at 8 a.m. The County Executive Brick 26 Challenge is aimed at raising money to support our local veterans, Semper4Soliders, Honor Flight and for the construction of a new monument.

The County Executive Brick 26 Challenge, which is appropriately named for the weight of the five bricks that participants carry throughout the 10K race course in a backpack, is designed to test participants with a variety of obstacle courses along the route. 

There are four different courses that are designed for many levels, from the walker to the ultra-athlete.

25th Annual Salute to Veterans Concert Announced

Mangano announced Wednesday that Eisenhower Park's Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre will host the 25th Annual Salute to Veterans program starring the USO Liberty Bells and Dean Karahalis and the Concert Pops on Saturday, Aug. 4. The 25th Annual Salute to Veterans Concert is dedicated to the men and women of the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines. Ceremonies honoring armed services past and present will begin at 6:45 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.