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NIFA Nixes Nassau Sewer Deal

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

The (NIFA) on Thursday rejected County Executive Ed Mangano's proposed contract with Morgan Stanley to broker a deal for a privatized sewer system.

The deal would have paid the financial service firm at least $5 million to broker a deal for the county with a private operator for the sewer system and an investor who would fund the transaction.

According to Long Island Business News:

The contract, approved by the Nassau Legislature April 16, would have retained Morgan Stanley to find an investor that would lend the county upward of $750 million in exchange for making a profit from running the county’s failing sewer system.

"The NIFA board is clearly confused about the potential public-private partnership for Nassau's sewage treatment plants — which are in a state of disrepair and face fiscal crisis," Mangano said in a statement Thursday. "The public-private partnership is not a loan or borrowing."

'Childish' Mailers Cause Back-and-Forth Between Parties

Earlier this week, Mangano sent a mailer out to residents entitled "Ed Mangano is the first county executive to end borrowing against my future." The mailer (pictured right) features a 4-year-old with a messy face on the front holding a sign that reads "Thank you Ed Mangano."

Mangano's mailer continues on to discuss the county executive's achievements during his time in office.

In a response, Democrats created their own mailer (pictured left) that takes jabs at the county executive.

The photo used by Democrats — similar to that used by the county executive — shows a baby with a messy face with the caption "If you think I made a mess, you should see what Ed Mangano has done to Nassau County."

The Democratic mailer goes on to discredit Mangano's accomplishments, claiming that he has not come through on several financial promises made earlier in his tenure.

On Thursday, Nassau County Spokesman Brian Nevin responded to the Democrats' accusations.

"It's unfortunate that Nassau Democrat legislators continue to be part of the problem rather than cooperate in advancing solutions," Nevin said. "Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams and his Democrat legislators are once again telling half the story about Nassau's finances. Rather than tell residents the truth about their tax and spend ways, they have continually used misinformation to hide from their record and have officially lost all credibility. The time for honesty is now."

Legislature to Vote on Social Service Cuts

The Nassau County Legislature will vote at Mondays' legislative session on the recommendation of Mangano to totally end funding for essential human health and welfare services for the county’s citizens.

According to Peter Levy, President of the Coalition of Nassau County Youth Services Agencies, Inc., the impact of this legislative action will mean the end of:

  • The Office of Youth Services
  • The Office of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency and Developmental Disabilities Services
  • The Red Light Camera Dedicated Fund (currently dedicated to the above services)

"There are countless thousands of people whose lives will change drastically on May 21 if the legislature does not act responsibly before the vote," Levy said. "The total elimination of funding to these departments and the not-for-profit agencies that deliver life-impacting programs to these populations will mean the dismantling of the safety net infrastructure for the most at-risk and neediest citizens in the County. And, once dismantled, it would take years, if ever, to rebuild."

Mangano Announces New, Free Prescription Drug Discount Program

Mangano announced Tuesday a new, free prescription drug discount program is now available for all Nassau County residents. The program was developed by Nassau County and ProAct Inc., a Pharmacy Management Company, to help lower prescription drug costs for all residents.

Beginning this week, the discount cards will be made available via a direct mailing to all households in Nassau County, as well as at Nassau County agencies, pharmacies and at www.NYRxDiscountCard.com. The discount card may be used by residents, regardless of age, income or existing health coverage.

For more information, including a listing of participating pharmacies, call ProAct Help Desk at 1-877-776-2285 or by visiting www.NYRxDiscountCard.com.

2012 Nassau County Senior Citizen of the Year: Herman Eli Soblick

Nassau County announced Tuesday that Herman Eli Soblick, of Franklin Square, has been chosen as Nassau County Senior Citizen of the Year for 2012. The County Executive will present an award to Soblick at a special event on May 31 at the Garden City Hotel. The Nassau County Office for the Aging expects more than 300 senior citizens to attend this event, which celebrates May as Older Americans Month.

Frank May 21, 2012 at 02:58 pm
@ Bojames.
the real problem is Albany. Benefits and pensions for teachers represent nearly 40% of that 60% tax roll. Local residents in small districts are responsible to fund them. Blame Albany and get off the religious inquisition.
Frank May 21, 2012 at 02:59 pm
Albany will not let go until Nassau is fiscally responsible.
I expect NIFA to run Nassau for the next two decades.
Bill Sweeney May 21, 2012 at 03:00 pm
Who controls Albany?
Bill Sweeney May 21, 2012 at 03:01 pm
If you read Joye Brown and agree with her...best of luck to you.
Frank May 21, 2012 at 03:01 pm
We did this to ourselves: 40 years of fiscal mismanagement led to Albany's take over of the tax pig it's been suckling for years.
Albany couldn't be happier. If ever there was a call for secession from NYS, Albany, and NIFA, this would be a good time.
Bill Sweeney May 21, 2012 at 03:01 pm
It's a real shame so many people just believe and nod their heads to all that the liberal mainstream media spews out.
ed May 21, 2012 at 03:18 pm
Ed MANGANO keeps raising our taxes and hiring his friends for patronage positions. The Nassau GOP is a big boys club of corruption. Need a job for your kid just join the local republican club and make a nice donation. The Nassau GOP, tob, and toh are all corrupt to the bone!
Bill Sweeney May 21, 2012 at 03:47 pm
You betcha...
An tUasal Airgead May 21, 2012 at 04:05 pm
I've been listening to the Nassau County Legislature Meeting for the past hour or so, and I think they should ALL (both sides) be thrown out of office!
Incompetent, partisan and unprofessional! Video link http://nassaucountyny.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspx#
Eileen Coles May 21, 2012 at 04:53 pm
Yeah, and that stuff in Wantagh Bay isn't icebergs, either. ;-7 Mangano is a liability from the same partisan school as Gulotta, and just like when Gulotta was the CE everything is going to, well...what's floating out in the bay under his so-called leadership. Why couldn't you stick with a good thing when you had it, Nassau? Tom Suozzi BALANCED THE BUDGET. He fixed things. He made government work for everyone, not just the 1%. If it ain't broke, don't "fix" it!
Cosmo May 21, 2012 at 05:06 pm
Does anybody remember the name Tom Gulotta? We are still cleaning up his mess. Why is Morgan Stanley even involved? Why not competitive bidding for the lowest cost? Or does someone know someone at Morgan, big GOP donor?
Eileen Coles May 21, 2012 at 05:33 pm
Exactly. The no-bid contract is a hallmark of corrupt GOP politics. How often do you hear of no-bid contracts getting handed to corporate cronies under Democratic leadership? Since when does Morgan Stanley concern itself with civil engineering projects? They're a BROKERAGE! What's next, is he going to hire Disney to maintain the roads? Well, so long as we're following this trend of random weirdness maybe we should ask Cuomo to hire Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey as a NIFA subcontractor to maintain Mangano's administration, as they at least have a bit of experience cleaning up after elephants. ;-7
Bill Sweeney May 21, 2012 at 05:38 pm
The main issues are the deals with the unions for the fat pay and benefits contracts. That's all Democrats or RINOs. That's a typical, sheep-like Dem voting block (court the well paid leaders, the masses will follow).
As far a Morgan, or any other investment banks...they equally give to both parties at best...they tend to slant Dem even though they are whipping boys for them. And investment banks make, dum da da da, investments. They invest in many things. One deal that pops out is Morgan taking over the City of Chicago's meter operations, a non-bid deal done with a very famous Dem Chicago-style mayor Daley. The real problem here is the NIFA has it out for Mangano. The hole is so deep with the past nonsense that new ways of tacking the issues have to be considered, and no one seems to want to do that.
Candygram for Mongo May 21, 2012 at 05:42 pm
maybe NIFA can run Long Beach
An tUasal Airgead May 21, 2012 at 06:16 pm
It is BOTH parties!
As long as people continue to blindly follow the ideology of one side or the other, spouting off party-line rhetoric, whether from their front porch, a barstool or in the comments section online, the politicians will continue to govern in their best interests, not ours! Stop listening to your politicians, make them listen to you!
Frank May 21, 2012 at 06:43 pm
@ An tUasal Airgead. Truer words I have not read in a while.
Nassau Reps and Dems are killing us. Get on the horn and start screaming at the top of you lungs that you want CHANGE... and lots of it. We have to get our message across. do not listen to the rhetoric... that's how we got into this mess. And Cosmo. Little history lesson. Gulotta WANTED to raise taxes. Everyone including grandma were screaming bloody murder over it. He decided to drop it and pull a cheat sheet from Ronald Reagan and George W Bush. Borrow baby, borrow. And that he did just that. and no one complained until the mid 90s. By then, it was too late. we lost Nassau. NIFA is the natural evolution of our borrowing strategy. and Albany couldn't be happier. Albany gets its taxes no matter what and they get to tell us how to spend our money. Secession is the only way out.
An tUasal Airgead June 8, 2012 at 08:08 pm
... and the circus show continues ..
An tUasal Airgead June 8, 2012 at 08:08 pm
Peter Schmitt found in contempt
A federal judge has found the presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature, Peter J. Schmitt, in contempt. Schmitt was fined $2,500 for appearing on television to discuss details of a confidential report into police misconduct and defying a gag order that he not disclose secrets of the case. http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/nassau-lawmaker-peter-schmitt-found-in-contempt-vows-to-appeal-1.3769583
An tUasal Airgead June 8, 2012 at 08:09 pm
Questions raised about two Nassau votes
Questions are being raised about the validity of two controversial Nassau laws decided by a Republican legislator who voted unseen from the back room of the county meeting chamber. Robert Freeman, executive director of New York's Committee on Open Government, said state law requires the public to be able to observe a lawmaker's vote, either in person or by videoconference. But nobody in the audience nor any legislators could see Legis. Dennis Dunne Sr. (R-Levittown) cast the 10th and deciding votes May 21 in favor of two crucial measures: to allow County Executive Edward Mangano to unilaterally cut $41 million in expenses and also to remove requirements that restrict red-light camera revenues to pay for social services. Only Dunne's voice could be heard by microphone. http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/questions-raised-about-two-nassau-votes-1.3768869
An tUasal Airgead June 8, 2012 at 08:10 pm
State law calls for members of public bodies to be "gathered together in the presence of each other or through the use of videoconferencing" when they take action. A 2005 state appellate court struck down telephone voting because of that requirement.
Abrahams said he told Schmitt that Dunne could vote from the back room "if he's safer back there." He added that Democrats "have no intentions of bringing this up in any type of legal suit. Our position was to let Dunne vote from the back because of his medical health." But Freeman said state law cannot be waived simply because lawmakers agree. "A waiver cannot serve to eliminate the application of a state statute," he said.Rachael Krinsky, president of Nassau's League of Women Voters, said, openness and transparency are the league's main issues. "As such, the league would expect the Nassau County Legislature to comply with any applicable laws pertaining to voting procedures." http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/questions-raised-about-two-nassau-votes-1.3768869
An tUasal Airgead June 8, 2012 at 08:10 pm
Nassau borrowing bill moves ahead in State Senate
Although Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo urged Nassau last month to work with its control board to solve the county’s financial problems, a bill moved foward this week in the state Senate to allow County Executive Edward Mangano to bypass the county legislature and the Nassau Interim Finance Authority to borrow millions of dollars to pay overdue tax refunds. text of the bill: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S7604-2011 http://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/spin-cycle-1.812042/nassau-borrowing-bill-moves-ahead-in-state-senate-1.3770147?qr=1
Frank June 8, 2012 at 08:43 pm
Borrowing is what got us here in the first place.
And we'll allow Mangano to borrow millions for refunds but we can't borrow to move the sewage plant outfall pipes, which are dumping a supertanker a day of human sewage into the Westerrn bays, to the Atlantic? Is Albany sniffing glue or taking bath salts 'cause nothing they do makes any sense at all.
An tUasal Airgead June 9, 2012 at 12:13 am
Democrat & Republican members of the Nassau County Legislature think they can “waive state law”.
The Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature thinks he can “ignore a Federal Court”. The Nassau County Executive thinks he can “bypass the Nassau County Legislature and the Nassau Interim Finance Authority” by enlisting our incompetent & economically complicit New York State elected officials in Albany to pass a law making the County Executive the Financial Czar of Nassau County. We need to vote them out of office ... ALL OF THEM!
An tUasal Airgead June 28, 2012 at 01:03 pm
At 224 of New York’s 372 beaches, there were 1,841 closing and advisory days last year. That was a 93 percent increase from 956 such days in 2010, a relatively clean year for state beaches.
The report from the Natural Resources Defense Council, called “Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches” and released on Wednesday, found that a confluence of events — heavy rainfall, Hurricane Irene and a fire at a sewage treatment plant on the Hudson River in Harlem — had contributed to increased contamination of area beaches. The fire alone discharged 200 hundred millions gallons of raw sewage into New York area waters. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/28/nyregion/number-of-pollution-related-beach-closings-in-new-york-rose-sharply-in-2011.html
Frank June 28, 2012 at 04:40 pm
The Western Bays is in a perpetual ban on shellfishing and swimming. We dump a Supertanker a day of human sewage, bleach, and detergents into the Western Bays (not to mention the thermal discharge from the Island Park power plant).
People think fracking is a sin? Nassau County is perpetrating the largest ecological disaster on Long Island bar none. In 1972 the EPA even cited the fact that dumping waste into the Western Bays is not feasbile unless there is adequate ocean flushing. After 40 years nothing... Where's the EPA on this? did they forget they actually wrote up the study? Shame on the EPA as well. I implore everyone on Patch to write to their representatives and push for the extension of the outfall pipes into the Atlantic and allow the Western Bays to recover
An tUasal Airgead July 3, 2012 at 02:23 pm
Sewer plan has usage-based fee, surcharge
- Nassau County residents and businesses for the first time would pay for sewer service based in part on how much water they use, instead of solely on property values, under a plan by county officials. Property owners also could be subject to a "surcharge" for unexpected capital expenditures if a $750 million proposal to privatize the county sewer system becomes reality. The investor would sign a 50-year lease with the county and have exclusive rights to collect revenues from the system. Sewage rates/taxes would be frozen through 2015 and then increase by the annual rate of inflation, which the proposal estimates to be 3 percent. United Water, a New Jersey-based company that would operate the system, would earn a base fee of $60 million in the first year, 2013, with estimated increases of 3 percent a year thereafter. Company spokesman Rich Henning said the increases would cover escalating costs of labor and chemicals. http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/sewer-plan-has-usage-based-fee-surcharge-1.3819349
Frank July 3, 2012 at 03:36 pm
@ An tUasal Airgead
Sad thing is that even privatization would not solve the Western Bays crisis. Nassa County is becoming more and more like NYC. NYC surcharges for sewers, and it is pricey. Nassau Reps should all be voted out of office. They sit in suits and get paid benefits and salaries by the people of Nassau County, only to turn against them in their time of need. i recommend every nassau resident to consider "peaceful civil disobedience". Start by digging septic tanks in your yards and do not pay the proposed surchages. What a shameful situation... embarassing! One of the richest counties in America with the worst mismanagement you can imagine... rivals Haiti.
An tUasal Airgead July 4, 2012 at 03:30 am
@ Frank - Business as usual (more backdoor nonsense)
- The plan was dealt a setback in May when the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, a state monitoring board that controls the county's finances, rejected a contract to pay Morgan Stanley, the county's financial adviser on the deal, $5 million to manage the sewer transaction. While NIFA officials continue to oppose the privatization, Nassau last month issued a Request for Information to determine if private sector investors are interested. Responses are due by July 11. The county plans to use the "bulk of the proceeds" from the privatization for debt retirement and reserves, according to a recent Fitch Ratings report. County officials last week attempted to distance themselves from the solicitation, arguing it was written by Morgan Stanley. THE DOCUMENT, HOWEVER, BEARS THE COUNTY'S SEAL AND MANGANO'S NAME APPEARS ON THE FRONT PAGE. Morgan Stanley declined to comment. http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/sewer-plan-has-usage-based-fee-surcharge-1.3819349
Chris Wendt July 4, 2012 at 10:19 am
Re: "The plan was dealt a setback in May when the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, a state monitoring board that controls the county's finances, rejected a contract to pay Morgan Stanley, the county's financial adviser on the deal, $5 million to manage the sewer transaction."
Morgan Stanley was dealt a setback. It is important to remember that NIFA does not run the County, the County runs the County, meaning the County Executive and the Legislature. NIFA controls the finances, but has no (zero) say about whether or not the sewer plants should be privatized, you know...about the political and operational and environmental considerations of privatization. Similarly, NIFA bears no responsibility for the County's decision to privatize (or not), other than to oversee the fiscal soundness of any deal or deals involved, as they have done with the Morgan Stanley fee piece.
John Carroll July 23, 2012 at 08:21 pm
Oh... the residents of Nassau vote very logically... They vote with an attitude of what is good for me... not what is good for the community! Money trumps all else!

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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