Nassau County Notebook: Nassau Drops NIFA Lawsuit; Police Commissioner Retires

The following is a look back at some of the top stories in Nassau County over the past week:

Nassau Drops Lawsuit Against NIFA

On Wednesday, Nassau County officials announced they would no longer pursue legal action against the Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) for what Nassau referred to as an illegal takeover of county finances.

"It is my sincere hope that our former adversaries are as committed to the people of Nassau County as [the Mangano] administration is, and that we will be able to work together to correct the errors of the past and to meet the challenges ahead," said County Attorney John Ciampoli.

Ronald Stack, chairman of the NIFA board, last week urged County Executive Ed Mangano to drop the lawsuit, as $418,000 in taxpayer money had already been spent on the county's legal fees.

Just last week, Mangano cut $181 million from the 2011 county budget to close a NIFA-projected $176 million deficit. 

Nassau Police Commissioner Retires

Thursday was the last day on the force for Nassau County Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey.

After 38 years with the department — four of them as commissioner — Mulvey began his retirement, walking out of police headquarters to a final salute from fellow officers and staff members.

"We've done some amazing things in very difficult economic times," Mulvey said. "We are recognized as the safest community of a half million or more in the United States of America."

Thomas Krumpter, who worked 10 years on the police commissioner's staff, will serve as acting commissioner.

Nassau Marks 'Autism Awareness Month'

On Friday night, the county legislative building's dome was lit with blue light to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day and the beginning of "Autism Awareness Month" in Nassau County.

The blue lighting of buildings is being done across America.