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Nassau Notebook: 'Accelerate Nassau Now Plan,' Rally Aftermath

A weekly look-in at the news of Nassau County.

Mangano Announces "Accelerate Nassau Now Plan"

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano submitted his job creation and retention plan for Nassau County to Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council last Friday.

Mangano’s “Accelerate Nassau Now Plan” seeks to partner with New York State to enhance the present assets at each center of economic opportunity in Nassau’s Job Corridor including the Hub in Uniondale, the former United States Navy-Grumman Property in Bethpage and Belmont Park in Elmont.

The plan enhances the Hub’s present sports and entertainment center by addressing obstacles to redeveloping the full 77-acres site, while adhering to the Town of Hempstead’s mixed-use zoning requirements for the property.

The county is looking to attract developers to privately-finance a new Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, minor league ballpark, multi-purpose exposition center, multi-purpose track and field facility, a Bioscience Innovation Center, Research and Development Expo Center and residential housing options. For the first round of funding, the “Accelerate Nassau Now Plan” requests an initial $7 million from the Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council for design and construction of a Research and Development Expo Center on the site.

The “Accelerate Nassau Now Plan” also includes a plan for additional sports and entertainment opportunities on vacant land at Belmont Park. Nassau County has received interest from a developer with the financial means to establish a soccer stadium complimented by mixed-use development.

Mangano Responds to Monday's Union Rally

Dozens of unions from across New York State came together in front of the Nassau County Legislative Building on Monday to rally against what they called the “Anti-American and Anti-Union” agenda of County Executive Mangano.

On Thursday, Mangano released a statement declaring what needs to be done between the county and the unions.

"All union presidents will be informed that the 2012 budget must include $150 million in workforce savings," he said. "Together, the county and NIFA have asked the union presidents to work with us to achieve these savings through negotiations. If negotiations do not produce these needed savings, the budget will include automatic triggers to achieve the workforce savings through furloughs and layoffs."

Mangano added: "Furloughs will commence on Jan. 1, 2012, if negotiations fail to produce an agreement by Dec. 15, 2011. If furloughs are challenged in court or otherwise not achieved, additional layoffs will be implemented on Feb. 1, 2012. The county and NIFA are hopeful that workforce savings will be achieved voluntarily, but remain ready to achieve these savings through the budget."

Click here for a full video of the rally and what else Mangano had to say.

Sewer Treatment Plant Notification System Announced

Mangano, along with Legislators Denise Ford and Howard J. Kopel, announced Tuesday the creation of a new notification system designed to notify residents about reportable incidents at the county’s sewer treatment facilities. Events such as heavy rains and large storms similar to the ones that have affected Nassau County this year have the potential to cause overflows in the county sewage system, which may overflow onto the street or into the bays.

The communications system allows residents to sign up for Public Informational Updates through the Nassau County website. The system will become live on Oct. 25.

Juvenile Justice Reforms Announced

Tthe Department of Probation will be implementing a number of new initiatives designed to improve and reform Nassau County’s juvenile justice system, focusing on high-risk offenders under the age of 16 and based on recommendations made by the Nassau County Juvenile Justice Reform Task Force. Each of these initiatives will be funded by $729,000 in grants from New York State and will focus on Enhanced Diversion Services, Improved Supervision Outcomes, and Alternatives to Residential Placement.

Click here to read more about the juvenile justive reforms.

Mobile Town Hall Meetings Announced

Mangano’s Mobile Town Hall Meetings occur two days per week at various locations throughout the County. The meetings held on Tuesday’s run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Thursday’s from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The schedule through December is as follows:

  • Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Levittown Library, located at 1 Bluegrass Lane in Levittown.
  • Thursday, Oct. 27, at East Meadow Library, located at 1886 Front Street in East Meadow.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Uniondale Library, located at 400 Uniondale Avenue in Uniondale.
  • Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Freeport Recreation Center, located at 130 E. Merrick Road in Freeport.
  • Thursday, Nov. 10, at Rockville Centre Library, located at 221 N. Village Ave. in Rockville Centre.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Hempstead Library, located at 115 Nichols Court in Hempstead.
  • Thursday, Nov. 17, at Hewlett-Woodmere Library, located at 1125 Broadway in Hewlett.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 22, at Syosset Library, located at 225 S. Oyster Bay Road in Syosset.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Hillside Public Library, located at 155 Lakeville Road in New Hyde Park.
  • Thursday, Dec. 1, at Seaford Library, located at 2234 Jackson Avenue in Seaford.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 6, at Bethpage Library, located at 47 Powell Avenue in Bethpage.
  • Thursday, Dec. 8, at Great Neck Library, located at 159 Bayview Avenue in Great Neck.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Port Washington Library, located at 1 Library Drive in Port Washington.
  • Thursday, Dec. 15, at Jericho Library, located at 1 Merry Lane in Jericho.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Merrick Library, located at 2279 Merrick Avenue in Merrick.
  • Thursday, Dec. 22, at Lynbrook Library, located at 56 Eldert Street in Lynbrook.
Michael Barr October 24, 2011 at 03:31 pm
My only argument is "Do your job" Stop discouraging people from reporting crimes that are "too petty" for you to deal with. A common theme that they don't want to write up an official report, keeps crime stats low also I guess.
Michael Barr October 24, 2011 at 03:39 pm
Mac, the simple fact that Nassau couldn't even police its own crime lab should tell you about the shoddiness of the work we get for our inflated tax dollars. You need statistics (which can be spun by anybody from either side) to show that other places are NOT being overrun by zombies because the police get paid half as much? A serial killer has been at work here on LI for years... has the high pay stopped that? Or the heroin problem growing right under (literally) our childrens noses?
Mac October 24, 2011 at 03:57 pm
Do you think that the police officers you see on the street are the ones who had difficulties with the lab? OR was it a select group that worked the crime lab that caused problems. OR do you subscribe to the one bad apple and ignore ANY good the NCPD happen to do. The serial killer? They just found the bodies within this year so they didnt know there waas one running around for years. the herion problem is being addressed. To say this is the problem of the police is ignorant. How about parents take an active role and parent their children. The herion problem is a community problem not solely a police problem. Yes, I would like to see statistics showing me these other agencies are doing a better job. Also PLEASE forward the link where any NCPD person said they will take bribes if their salary is cut. You are just anti police. Change is needed wothout a dubt but they are only playing by the rules which need to be modified to reflect today's and tomorrow's economy. We can no longer afford this.
Catherine Mary October 24, 2011 at 04:08 pm
If we were going on merit pay the President should be paying us. So please stop mentioning what the President gets paid. Take into consideration that he will never pay rent or a mortgage to live in that house. Or for a meal, and that changes things drastically. The Presdient will make a fortune in speaking engagements and book deals once he is out. Pretty soon now I figure...
Catherine Mary October 24, 2011 at 04:09 pm
Please stop comparing apples and oranges. Police who work here need to be able to afford to live here. You cannot pay civil servants along the lines of places who's cost of living is drastically less than here.
James M. October 24, 2011 at 05:06 pm
Gullota drove us into bankruptcy. How quickly some forget.
James M. October 24, 2011 at 05:08 pm
You seem to forget all the borrowing and selling off of assets Gullota did to achieve that .
James M. October 24, 2011 at 05:10 pm
So then we should reduce the cops salaries because they get paid way more than the median average of salaries in Nassau.
Mac October 24, 2011 at 05:10 pm
It started with Gulotta and increased with Suozzi and continue to increase with Mangano. Until someone steps up and makes real life decisions with the taxpayer in mind it will not turn around. Then throw in the fact that NIFA isnt allowing Mangano to use age old tactics for thebudget and it continues to spiral out of control.
Jerry October 24, 2011 at 05:14 pm
They do need to be paid a good salary. But free health care, free pensions and the ability to retire after 20 years is ridiculous. A 45 year old should be working if he is getting paid by the taxpayer.
GCRes1 October 24, 2011 at 05:23 pm
This is a study using Federal labor statistics that shows that public sector employees are statistically much more likely to call in sick than their counterparts in the private sector:
http://www.publicsectorinc.com/forum/2011/10/injury-prone-public-workers.html Privately employed construction workers and teachers, for example, are 2.5 times less likely to call in sick or injured than their public employee counterparts. Could this have something to do with the ridiculous work rules and fringe benefits enjoyed in the public sector?
Bill Sweeney October 24, 2011 at 05:31 pm
Of course. It's encouraged. They're "entitled" to it. No one says boo b/c they are all on the same gravy train. Most would rather just "be" than excel and this is part of the package. Such a joke.
James M. October 24, 2011 at 05:32 pm
Probably more to do with being able and allowed to use Sick days as vacation. Only a gov't employee would think it's ok to use 5 sick days as a vacation. They'll even tell their supervisor they are taking the week off and they are going to use their sick days.
Merrick7 October 24, 2011 at 06:53 pm
Unions keep saying you cannot break a contract, its a legal binding document. They are correct and incorrect. Basic Contract Law says under the doctrines of impracticability and impossibility i can break the contract. With regard to Nassau I would use Doctrine of Impracticability. It is not impossible to pay for the pension and insurance increases and current compensation. We could raise taxes 34 percent. This is the only option NIFA would not permit borrowing. However the contracts were entered into prior to the true depths of this crisis with all unions in Nassau. A contract under this doctrine can be broken legally and constitutionally where an unforeseen circumstance neither party could predict (i.e. economic ramifications on the retirement funds and insurance increases). The cost of the contract would cause such an unacceptable burden(i.e. Nassau residents being heavily taxed already by other sources (mta tax, payroll tax, millionaire tax, and school taxes) could not reasonably handle a 34 percent increase in the 18 percent portion of the property tax bill. This doctrine is not used often but has been held up by the circuit courts who have heard it, especially in the 2nd circuit where we are located. Mangano use your highly paid employer friendly law firm and end these contracts
Catherine Mary October 24, 2011 at 06:59 pm
J. No one in my place of work is allowed to use sick days to cover vacation. Where are you getting your facts?
mongoose65 October 24, 2011 at 07:07 pm
Love it!
mongoose65 October 24, 2011 at 07:11 pm
You had me until # 10.
I love your sentiments. Unfortunately reality (nimbyism, cronyism, union strangleholds), make them way out there. I just want to see the 'Team Kate" regime go down in flames. That would be something and might bring us all the way from the mid '50's to the late '90's in one fell swoop.
mongoose65 October 24, 2011 at 07:15 pm
shhhhhh, careful...the "LI is a bedroom community of NYC and MUST remain that way" crowd will hear you. "What? Do you want to become another Queens?!" Blasphemy!!
mongoose65 October 24, 2011 at 07:29 pm
What a crock!! The entire Town of Hempstead govt is republican, many REQUIRED to register republican, JOIN local republican committees and finance repub candidates. It is a complete repub patronage mill that has been in power for 100+ years. Get real.
James M. October 24, 2011 at 07:30 pm
Experience with various gov't union employees. It's common. As Bill said it's all within the union so no one says anything.
mongoose65 October 24, 2011 at 07:34 pm
Well Cathy based on other's arguments defending cop's and teacher's salaries..."maybe you should have become President. Then YOU could get free meals and book deals and a free house." So ridiculous.
James M. October 24, 2011 at 07:43 pm
THe Lighthouse project would have cost Nassau taxpayers Millions just in infastructure changes alone. Those changes are never included in the "Lighthouse" projects costs. Wang was never going to foot the entire bill.
Grifhunter October 24, 2011 at 07:46 pm
Eddie, a cop, posted above at 1:31pm on Sunday, Oct. 23rd, ..."Want a reliable cop who shows up for work on Christmas Eve? In the rain and snow? Who doesn't sell dope on the side AND SHAKE DOWN SHOP OWNERS? Gotta pay them a living wage. ". There it is Mac, the same old shakedown threats about cop salaries. And why don't you show us how corrupt and inefficient all the other police in the state and US are who arn't making six figures? The truth that you can't handle Mac is that most cops don't pull in the salary/benifit package of a Nassau cop and the country functions just fine. And Cathy, below, please have the sense to know that the cost of living on Long Island is CAUSED by the inflated salaries of cops, teachers and other public employees.
GCRes1 October 24, 2011 at 08:02 pm
Cathy:
on October 19, you posted a comment that explained that at your civil service job, you can save up to 200 (TWO HUNDRED!) sick days and get them paid out, in cash, when you leave. No wonder people at your place of work do not use them for vacation. Here on the planet Earth, a sick leave policy like that is completely unheard of. This is because I don't have the option of contributing financially to my employer's re-election campaign. And facts? This string started with a link to this study, which shows massive discrepancies between private and public employees' rates of sick days. And it is based on labor department "facts". http://www.publicsectorinc.com/forum/2011/10/injury-prone-public-workers.html
GCRes1 October 24, 2011 at 08:08 pm
I think it is simpler than that. Mangano is not proposing to unilaterally break the contract. He is saying the unions have a choice: AGREE to change the contract to reach the necessary savings (i.e. make a new contract) or the County is going to pursue layoffs to get the savings another way.
Those who argue that Mangano can't change the contract unilaterally are correct. If there are layoffs, the people who aren't laid off get to keep their old contract. It doesn't get ripped up unless the unions agree.
vinny dinussi October 24, 2011 at 08:15 pm
How do you "require" someone to register Republican? Is that because the unions are supporting Card Check which seeks to abolish secret ballots cast by union members?
vinny dinussi October 24, 2011 at 08:17 pm
Merrick, you supplied this board with very important information. Thanks. Learn something new every day.
SemperFidelis October 24, 2011 at 11:36 pm
Out of apprximately 2600 Police Officers in Nassau County, More than 50% made over $150,000.00 last year. This puts them among the top 5 highest paid Departments in the United States. Is this Beverly Hills??? Palm Springs??? Palm Beach???Bel Air?? Nassau County is flushing our tax dollars away. If anyone here on this board believes that Nassau police are paid unfairly please comment and feel that they need a raise please explain. The police are now moaning about no contracts and have threatened so called "slow downs" with regards to activity. CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT THEY DO???? I know from personal experience that the Police are reluctant to take reports from people with legitimate complaints, complain if they have to make an arrest (and do their best to talk people out of pressing charges!) I agree with some of the other posts that the Police need a wake up call. STOP THE GREED. Except a pay freeze for five years. When everyone else is hurting they continue to try to bang the tax payer for another raise. Face it....Nassau County is not a low income County and the crime rate with or without the one of the highest paid Police in the Country will continue to be the same. Lets start asking the local Commanding Officers to post the monthly activity of each cop in their command in the local papers and Newsday. Let the residents of Nassau County see what they are paying for!!!!
mongoose65 October 25, 2011 at 02:48 pm
"Require" may be an exaggeration but it seems to be STRONGLY "recommended." Look at the employee rolls for the animal shelter (ALL Wantagh repub committee-people, most NOT living in Wantagh but working there...quite the coinkidink, no?)...and the building dept...check the employee rolls against repub campaign contributions and you'll see everyone making from $35k up donating to the cause AND making meetings?! Donating for and voting for the people who will negotiate their next contract and hire their cousin. It's abuse and it's been documented and it's sickening, especially in light of how outdated and poor the services are and the amount of money invested in the election machine that churns at a much greater efficiency than town services do.
Merrick7 October 25, 2011 at 11:20 pm
GCRes1 I definitely agree. However that pathway is still extremely costly. Look at Maragos Report on that plan that you reference

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Pictured presenting the $50,000 in state bullet aid are (L to R) Assemblyman Brian Curran, Mrs. Ellen Weisenberg, Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, Superintendent Dr. Melissa Burak, Superintendent and Board of Education member Alicemarie Bresnihan
Louise Strauss June 14, 2013 at 03:24 pm
That’s very nice that school districts that have the highest school taxes and costs, areRead More receiving additional money. The problem is that our state is in dire financial trouble and we can’t afford it. Upstate NY is a distressed disaster. How much more taxes are we going to pay?. Hear those feet marching out of state. Try fighting for drilling so we have jobs and revenue.
Jason June 16, 2013 at 09:47 am
.......there they go again whitewashing a dilemma they don't want to touch......unconscionableRead More salaries and pensions paid by the taxpayer for incompetence? Not to mention 13 week vacations as well as numerous 1/2 days and weather shortened days. A $50000 band aid we end up paying indirectly anyway only increases taxes further down the road. They are either that stupid or they think we are!
Brian June 17, 2013 at 12:56 am
Jason.. break out your 3 pointed hat!
Michael Ganci (Editor) June 13, 2013 at 11:06 am
You should post this on our map!Read More http://malverne-lynbrook.patch.com/groups/summer/p/holding-a-yard-sale-in-malverne-west-hempstead-or-lynbrook-add-it-to-our-map
Denise June 13, 2013 at 11:52 am
I did, thank you!!!!
Miguel Biaggi June 14, 2013 at 01:41 pm
Leo Prestopino (Owner) and Miguel Biaggi (Manager)
Miguel Biaggi June 14, 2013 at 01:55 pm
Most of these rumors we mentioned previously are coming from our competitors as well. We guaranteeRead More that ALL MEMBERSHIPS we sell will be SATISFIED. Leo Prestopino and Miguel Biaggi
Jason June 16, 2013 at 09:49 am
From your voice to Gods ears.We hope your right ;) Good Luck!
Michael Ganci (Editor) June 11, 2013 at 07:52 am
Mary, if you add a photo by clicking edit above, we can repost this on Patch. Thanks! MG