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In the last issue of the Gold
Shield, we published the SOA endorsements for the Nov 09
elections. As
all of you know, our primary endorsement was for the
County Executive race.
Although the election results were extremely
close, our candidate, Ed Mangano was successful in
gaining the top County position.
While not all of the candidates we endorsed for
the County Legislature won, we did endorse more
Republican Candidates then Democratic Candidates.
As it turned out, the Republicans took control of
the County Legislature.
Our candidate for District Attorney, Kathleen
Rice was successful in her re election bid, but our
candidate for County Comptroller, Howard Weitzman, was
not.
While I was glad that Ed Mangano
won, the economic climate in Nassau County caused me to
be somewhat apprehensive about how successful he would
be in resolving the County’s financial condition.
However, I must admit, as time passes, I am more and
more impressed with the way Ed Mangano is approaching
his new job. This
first became apparent to me when I attended his
inauguration on New Years Day.
The event was held at Bethpage High School.
The stage was filled with numerous dignities from
the political arena.
If you were not aware of the fact that Ed Mangano
was a Republican, it would be very hard to determine his
political affiliation by observing those politicians
surrounding him. Both
parties appeared to be equally represented.
The Democratic New York State Senator Charles
Schumer and the Republican New York State Congressman
Peter King both made opening remarks in bipartisan
fashion. I
believe the residents of Nassau County want their
leaders to bring opposing sides together to solve the
issues before them.
It is clear that this will be Ed Manganos
approach. It
is also clear to me that the members of the Nassau
County Legislature respect Ed regardless of whether they
are Republicans
or Democrats. Ed
Mangano’s leadership skills will foster co-operation
and increase the County’s chance for economic
recovery.
I have always felt comfortable in
dealing with the members of the Nassau County
Legislature. All
of them have been proponents of public safety and have
supported the police union’s efforts to maintain the
high level of service that we deliver.
It was my dealings with the past County Executive
that caused discomfort.
Although after many public battles, peace with
the labor unions was finally declared, this peace was
tenuous at best. I
believe that Ed Mangano’s appointment of Rob Walker,
as Chief Deputy County Executive, will insure a good
working relation between the County Executive’s Office
and the members of the County’s Labor Unions.
Rob has already demonstrated his desire to
resolve issues that are before us.
Certainly, we will not always agree and conflicts
will exist. But
I believe that any disagreements between us will not
diminish the mutual respect that exists.
I would like to wish all the best
to my good friend and former Nassau County Comptroller
Howard Weitzman. He
was always available to the Superior Officers
Association. He
is a true gentleman and was the first one to tell me how
professional and knowledgeable his successor, George
Maragos, is. George
Maragos has reached out to the labor unions to conduct
meetings on a regular basis to resolve the day-to-day
issues that develop.
While I will miss Howard, I believe George will
be a fine replacement.
I would like to mention how pleased
I am with the legislators who have been chosen to serve
on the Nassau County Legislatures Public Safety
Committee. If
Peter Schmidt and Diane Yaturo had asked me to pick the
Majority and Minority members of this important
committee, I could not have done a better job.
The members are Dennis Dunne, the new Chairman,
Joseph Belesi, the new Vice Chairman, Norma Gonsalves,
Denise Ford; Joseph Scannell, the former chairman, David
Denenberg, and Wayne Wink.
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