By Samuel Rubenfeld
MINEOLA-Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi announced a “2020 Vision for Nassau County” in his annual “State of the County” address Tuesday at the County Legislative and Executive building. The announcement concentrated primarily on property tax and quality of life issues that would affect the county for the next 13 years.
Suozzi said major progress was made since he took office in 2002, but the work was unfinished. “We will make sure the county government continues to be run smoothly and at as low a cost as possible,” he said. “But just because we have managed the county well, and county property taxes have remained stable, doesn’t mean people are satisfied.”
Suozzi pointed to not raising property taxes since 2003 as evidence of progress and development. “Nassau County is now the only county in New York State that has not raised taxes for four years in a row,” he said.
To combat the property tax issue, Suozzi called for the consolidation of over 400 separate governments to reduce costs and improve service. He also expressed support for Governor Elliot Spitzer’s efforts to combat waste in Medicaid, and expected the funds recovered from Spitzer’s plan to be provided to the county for property tax relief purposes.
Suozzi said that the many levels of government left voters confused and uninformed as to whom and for what they are paying taxes and electing officials. “I am quite certain that fewer people vote in special district elections than will vote tonight on American Idol,” he said.
In order to conduct the business of consolidation, Suozzi asked the legislature to approve an allocation of $500,000 to “develop a blueprint.” Governor Spitzer assigned a special advisor to help the county at the task. New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli will do the same, Suozzi said.
The executive announced a plan to grow the tax base in the county by advocating the development of communities in order to relieve the burden on residential taxpayers. “Tonight, I am calling upon our town supervisors and our city and village mayors to come together to agree upon the top 10 targeted areas for planned smart growth between now and 2020,” he said.
He highlighted the Nassau County Hub (which includes the University, Nassau Coliseum and the surrounding areas) and the downtown Village of Hempstead as the two most important areas. “We need to agree on the remaining eight locations,” he added.
As a means to attract more people to Hempstead, Suozzi’s plan for redevelopment will implement more office space with good paying hi-skilled or hi-tech jobs, and more affordable and diverse housing with walkable retail, shops and restaurants. Additionally, sports, entertainment and tourism opportunities will also arise.
He announced an ambitious “Healthy Nassau” initiative as a part of his “2020” vision. Suozzi said he wants to make Nassau County the healthiest county in the country by 2020.
The greatest health problems are associated with a lack of exercise, bad diet and smoking. He endorsed a proposed state authorized tax on cigarettes, modeled after the tax already in place in New York City.
He announced an initiative by local officials across the country to “[prepare] local communities nationwide for the impacts of global climate change” by investing in alternative energy and reducing greenhouse emissions. Suozzi also called for preservation of the remaining open land in Nassau County, as well as implementing the county’s first Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan in over 30 years.
In his response, Minority Leader Peter J. Schmitt said that the county executive is too busy poking his head into the business of local and national government rather than focusing on county issues. “Leave Disney World to Disney and Master planning to Master Planners,” he said. “I have three words for you, do your job.”
Schmitt referenced an article in Tuesday’s Newsday about a single-family residence that contained 28 tenants, including a child and a convicted violent sex offender, as proof that the executive was not doing his job. “Clean up your own Department of Social Services which is responsible for this disaster.”
Legislators were divided by party lines in their reactions to the issues raised in the speech. ‘”Healthy Nassau is something that will impact lives in real ways,” said Legis. Jeff Toback, (D-Oceanside). “The Republicans should get behind it because some things take years to evolve, but this can be immediate.”
Legis. Dennis Dunne (R-Levittown), University alum, agreed with Schmitt. “Clean up what we have here,” he said. “Take care of yourself first. Consolidate our own taxes.”
Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi delivered his State of the County adress on Tuesday.
Minority Leader Peter J. Schmitt, a Nassau County legislator for the 12th district, has a different take on the state of the county.