The following is from Nassau County Spokesman Brian Nevin in regard to alleged political threats made by Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs:
“The Nassau County Interim Finance Authority, Legislature and County Executive set forth a fiscal stabilization plan for Nassau County that holds the line on property taxes while cleaning up over a billion dollars in debt created while the Democrats controlled Nassau’s government. It's shameful and disturbing that Nassau County Democrat Party Boss Jay Jacobs is threatening political retribution to any elected official that works in a bipartisan fashion to implement this plan and prevent a property tax hike.
Boss Jacobs and his predecessor's handpicked Democrat legislators hiked property taxes by 42 percent, implemented a home energy tax, spent lavishly for a decade and left County Executive Mangano with a deficit the size of Texas. County Executive did not create Nassau's fiscal crisis, yet he is determined to fix it without hiking property taxes.
County Executive Mangano has spent the last two years cleaning up Democrat deficits, repealing taxes and cutting millions in wasteful spending added to government by Democrat legislators. County Executive Mangano has reduced the workforce by 20 percent and demanded concessions to protect taxpayers. No politician has done more to protect our residents' wallets. Boss Jacobs knows that Ed Mangano cannot be defeated in next year’s election cycle and is now trying to perpetuate Nassau’s fiscal crisis rather than allow his handpicked legislators to work in the best interests of the people they represent.
County Executive Mangano will not give in and allow the Democrat legislators to once again raise property taxes by 42 percent. County Executive Mangano will not allow Democrat legislators to once again approve a Fast Food Tax and Home Energy Tax. Boss Jacobs just doesn't get it. Our residents are taxed enough and will soon be taxed out of Nassau County if he has his way.
It is a dereliction of duty for Democrat legislators to stand lockstep with their political boss rather than best serve the residents they were sworn to protect."
Nassau County Urges Residents To Be Hurricane-Ready
Recognizing National Hurricane Preparedness Week, Nassau County Eis reminding residents about the importance of assembling a "Go Kit," in the event of a hurricane watch or warning. This year, National Hurricane Preparedness Week runs May 27 through June 2. The 2012 Atlantic hurricane season will begin on June 1.
Kits should be kept by front doors in a duffel bag and include enough supplies for everyone in the household for five days, including:
- First aid kit. Pack a "how to" guide as well.
- Essential prescription and nonprescription items and medical information.
- Battery-powered flashlight and radio (or crank radio), extra batteries and a 12-hour glow stick.
- A change of clothes, plus rainwear, sturdy shoes and protective gloves for everyone.
- Personal items, eyeglasses and personal care items.
- Important documents in a waterproof container: drivers' licenses, wills, birth/marriage certificates, insurance policies, deed or lease papers, recent tax returns, credit card and bank account numbers, Social Security cards, Passport and Home inventory list.
- Make sure you have special items for infants, elderly persons, pets or loved ones with special needs.
The only truth in your comment was a half truth, while the Dems did vote to repeal the energy tax it was done in a lame duck session after they had been voted out of office, and remember it was Suozzi and the dems that passed the energy tax alingoarty lines in the first place! Mangano pushed for the repeal during the campaign and famously signed during his inaugural. It is amazing how you democrats never let the facts get in the way of your argument!
Let's not forget that the whole reason for the need for this borrowing was the failure of e county to pay tax refunds from 2005-2007 when Suozzi was county exec, I guess you just forgot that part in your argument. Nobody wants to see services cut but I again applaud the majority in the legislature and the county exec for realizing that Nassau taxpayers pay the highest property taxes in the nation and just can't bear any more.
May 31, 2012 - Fitch Ratings lowered its outlook on Nassau County, N.Y., to negative from stable, saying the Long Island county has limited financial flexibility and faces challenges to cost cutting. Fitch affirmed its A-plus rating on Nassau, which is six steps above junk territory. In December, Fitch lowered its rating on Nassau's by one notch, also citing the county's financial flexibility. The rating firm said the county has shown continued difficulty in implementing programs to improve financial stability despite the presence of a state control board. The county, Fitch added, lacks financial flexibility. Fitch pointed to Nassau's high dependence on sales tax revenue and continued use of one-time funds to close budget gaps. http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120531-717869.html
A plan to privatize the maintenance and operations of the county's sewer system was rejected by the state-run Nassau County Interim Finance Authority. The county had expected to use a portion of the proceeds to fund its annual budget, and though Fitch looked negatively on the plan, the absence of the funding source creates a new budget gap. Aiding the county's rating, Fitch said Nassau benefits from a broad and wealthy tax base and its capital needs are moderate. http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120531-717869.html
I am displeased in now knowing it is a tool for the GOP to try to control our thinking and just a campaign tool. Oh, by the way, one way to create more revenue would be for Nassau County to begin collecting income tax on it's overpaid employees. NYC does and they are not paid anywhere near what Nassau County employees make
Patch (founded by Tim Armstrong in 2007) was bought by AOL in 2009, right after Tim Armstrong became AOL CEO. AOL purchased the Huffington Post in 2011. Patch has so many financial issues that they have cut staffing to seriously low levels, which could be a reason for the problem shown here: Patch editorial staff reprinting Nassau County press releases as a story. The majority of these "Weekly Look-ins" at the Town or County, are mirrors of what you will find on the Town or County websites.
We should not be happy that the Patch inreleasing political articles which are not "fair and balanced." Shame on you Patch. As to Suozzi, he was a CPA and Attorney and he couldn't fix the mess that was handed to him. Now Managano is running the show and continues to resolve budget deficits by selling or attempting to sell county assets, Taxes in the county are not because of town taxes. The school taxes are out of control and they need to follow Cuomos law of a cap. These special water districts were set up under Gulottas reign. Someone has to start to restructure this process and stop figuring a way to circumvent NIFA. One way to deal with these issues is to start using the internet to provided financial information. Every salary of every employee working in the county should be published online where the county becomes transparent and all the special water districts become transparent. Lets start with the Town of Oysterbay. Have them start to publish online their budget. We are all in this mess together. Lets start working together to fix the problems.
Thank for the link. I was referring to a financials whereby the Budget is layed out next to the actual figures. I want it broken down by property which the towns own.
http://oysterbaytown.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={9846AF95-2FE7-45AD-9A03-06A854D4D6CF}