VOTER’SS GUIDE An Anton Community Newspapers Supplement • October 23 - 29, 2013
The Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola, the seat of government in Nassau County
Paid for by Friends of Tom Suozzi
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Bringing fiscal responsibility back. suozzi2013.com
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Bringing fiscal responsibility back. suozzi2013.com
Paid for by Friends of Tom Suozzi
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| County Election Contests 2013 The election is rapidly approaching, so that even the most politically averse cannot help but notice: the proliferation of road signs, the barrage of television ads, the relentless campaign appearances. In these pages, Anton Community Newspapers lays out the candidates and issues that span the entire county — and even the state. In addition to coverage of the top of the ticket, we include information on judicial candidates and statewide voter referendums. Don’t forget to vote on Nov. 5.
Nothing’s Sure But Debt And Taxes Top of the ticket battles bitterly over county finance problems By Edith Updike
eupdike@antonnews.com
The race for Nassau County Executive has been dominated by the same issue that is dominating all campaigns this year: economics. In fact, a poll in mid-October showed LI voters ranking taxes, jobs and debt — in that order — as top concerns. Throughout the campaign, Republican incumbent Edward P. Mangano and his Democratic challenger, Thomas Suozzi, who held the post from 2002-2009, hammered hard on their respective messages. Mangano claimed he hadn’t raised taxes. “[My administration] reduced government by 20 percent and sales tax revenue is the highest in the region,” he said. “Our policies are working.” Suozzi claimed he balanced the budget. “[My administration] reduced debt service and cut costs through attrition of 1,200 workers,” he said. “We increased spending at 65 percent the rate of inflation.” Mangano called Suozzi a “compulsive liar.” Suozzi called Mangano “delusional”. Less filling! Tastes great! The race for Comptroller, the county’s top finance job, has been characterized by the same dynamics: an incumbent Republican, George Maragos, facing off against the Democrat he unseated in the previous election, Howard Weitzman. And the barbs have been just as pointed, with Weitzman lodging a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission about Maragos’ “false and misleading” financial reporting of $88 million in spending, and Maragos firing back with a threat to sue for libel. The two don’t disagree that the county pushed $88 million worth of last year’s spending — needed to pay property tax rebates to those who successfully grieved their taxes with the ARC — onto this year’s budget; they disagree vehemently about whether that constitutes a form of cheating.
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this was “dubious” but not criminal, more such flyers began flying around. GOP legislators sent out a taxpayer-funded mailing that slammed the opposing party for its stance on borrowing for the Bay Park Sewage Plant. On the Democrat side, legislative leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) sent a publicly funded mailing calling out Ed Mangano for “mismanagement.” It’s no easy feat for a thoughtful voter to sort through the allegations and claims, which come with myriad hedges, conditions and caveats. For a sober assessment, we can turn to analysis from the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, which has posted online regular and interim reports dating back to 2000. (www.nifa.state.ny.us/financial_plan_ reports.html) Comparing the last report of Suozzi’s tenure (Oct. 2009) and . the most recent report, covering rd Pno a Mangano’s first term (Oct. 2013) edwanga page th Be n: m ow offers a somewhat more objective et m Party: r • ho iversity, hofstra Un a tr analysis than either of the camfs ho n: io educat incumbent paigns do. law • Current job: At the end of Suozzi’s term, the state board concluded, “The County has presented a proposed Budget that is balanced for FY 2010. PoliTiCs from page 3C Nevertheless, we have identified several risks and are concerned with the Some of the argument has taken place at County’s long-term plans to balance taxpayer expense. Mangano used county workers its budgets.” At the time, according to deliver fliers that gave a nod to Sandy aid, but to county financial statements, the were essentially re-election campaign collatcounty’s bond debt had been reduced eral. After District Attorney Kathleen Rice — a to $1.1 billion, from $2.3 billion in 2001, yet Democrat also running for re-election — ruled
Paid for by George Maragos for Comptroller
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NIFA’s watchdogs were concerned that the reduction relied too heavily on one-time revenues and drawdown of reserves. Looking forward, the report also warned of overly optimistic projections and rising pension costs. At the time, the immediate aftermath of the financial crisis, NIFA was acting in merely an advisory capacity.
see PoliTiCs on page 6C
as r. Thomozzi su Party: d • ho education: Bost metown: Glen Cove on fordham law • CuCollege (management), rrent job: attorn ey
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VOTER’S GUIDE - ANTON COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS - OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2013
Nassau County Executive
ED MANGANO
invites you to
Nassau BarkFest Long Island’s Largest
Pet Costume Contest & Parade
Sunday, October 27, 2013 • 12:00-3:30pm Join over 500 of the best dressed creatures on the planet
Eisenhower Park Dog Run East Meadow
Parking at Field 7 by Golf Course • Judging at 2:00pm For info call: 516 571-4050 or email: kgrillirobles@nassaucountyny.gov
FREE ADMISSION
PET COSTUME CONTEST AND PRIZES Rain or Shine • All pets must be on a leash Sponsored by
NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE
www.nassaucountyny.gov 105762
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VOTER’S GUIDE - ANTON COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS - OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2013
triggering a number of restrictions on county financial activity, including freezing some borrowing. NIFA’s latest report, issued earlier this month, is a parallel to its 2009 analysis of Suozzi. It covers the final four-year plan of the county executive’s term. This year, the board acknowledged that the County is “closer to a near-term balance on a budgetary-cash basis,” than it has been recently, but that “on a GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) basis, as required by State law, [the County] remains out of balance in amounts that would necessitate the continuance of a control period for at least the coming year.” NIFA notes that the five major positive forces are not necessarily structural or repeatable: an improving economy has generated more sales tax revenue; the wage-freeze imposed by NIFA itself saved $231 million; certain State actions have temporarily eased the burden of retirement contributions; d and borrowing. The board chastised the r a howitzman county for proposing to borrow $230 hills h rt no n: we million, top it off with $10 million in ow et m Party: d • ho ge, stanford/ lle Co operating money and thereby solve a ns ee Qu n: CPa educatio ent) • Current job: em tax certiorari problem of $297 million ag an (m ch ru Ba that grows by $75 million per year. “The details of this arithmetic are not convincing,” the report notes. “Likewise we are skeptical that they can PoliTiCs from page 4C wean themselves from their dependence on borrowing for judgments and settleThen Mangano defeated Suozzi for the County ments.” County financial statements show Executive job. He repealed Suozzi’s much-despised Nassau County debt has crept back up to heating tax and didn’t raise the county tax — al$1.3 billion, with about $400 million in though he did raise fees. By early 2011, the NIFA additional general obligation bonds on board was anticipating a deficit of $176 million the balance sheet compared to 2009. and voted to put the county into a control period,
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In sum, Nassau County has a long-term financing problem — despite its status as one of the wealthiest counties in the nation. The county continues to borrow money to meet ongoing operating expenses. Nassau residents will either have to reduce costs by giving up services and benefits, raise revenue through taxes or fees to pay for them, or make future generations pay.
e Georggos a mar Party: r education: m • hometown: Undisclosed ineering), Pa cGill University (electrica ce (mBa) • Cu rrent job: incul engmbent
VOTE FOR JOHN DIMASCIO For Nassau County Legislator, 11th L.D.
Expertise ★ Integrity ★ Fiscal Responsibility IF YOU WANT TO:
HAVE NO TAX INCREASES • FURTHER IDENTIFY AND ELIMINATE WASTEFUL SPENDING • RIGHT-SIZE OUR GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGE AND FOSTER LOCAL BUSINESSES • PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES HAVE AN HONEST, TRANSPARENT & REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT • HONOR AND SUPPORT OUR SENIORS AND VETERANS
EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
• St. John’s University School of Law, JD • New York University, PhD Candidate, Politics • C.W. Post College, LIU, MA, Political Science • C.W. Post College, LIU, BA, Political Science and History
LEGAL AFFILIATIONS
• Member, American Bar Association • Member, New York State Bar Association • Member, Nassau County Bar Association • Member, Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York • Fellow, The American Bar Foundation • Barrister, American Inns of Court
DEDICATED TO SERVING AND PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY
• Member, Board of Directors, North Shore Sheltering Program • Pro-Bono Attorney, Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence • Member, Vietnam Veterans of America • Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars • Member, American Legion
ENDORSEMENTS
electjohn@2013@hotmail.com
(516) 200-9947
www.facebook.com/electjohndimascio
The proud father of five children, including John Jr., an attorney, Christine, a NYS Court Officer and Tom, a NY/NJ Port Authority Police Officer, John resides in Glen Cove with his wife, attorney Kristina S. Heuser, and their two young daughters, Anna and Sophia. “I’m committed to zero tax increases, growing local business and preserving our natural resources through open, representative government, of, by and for the people.” Paid for by Friends of John DiMascio
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• Republican Party • Conservative Party • Independence Party • Court Officers Benevolent Association of Nassau County • Fraternal Order of Court Officers New York State • Federation of Nassau County Republican Women ABOUT JOHN
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orderly races for district attorney & County Clerk
ard how im stur
Party: R • Hom Education: Ny In etown: Great Neck Hofstra Law • Cu stitute of Technology, rrent job: county court judgLaw clerk to e
n laure n Gille
Party: d • H Education: ometown: Rockville Nyu (Jd) • CuGeorgetown (govern Centre men rre izing in comnt job: Attorney speci t), almercial liti gation
een l h kat rice
arden City metown: G ity (English), o H • d : y rt rs Pa ive Catholic un cumbent Education: (Jd) • Current job: In Touro Law
n ree ll u a m onne o’C
liston Party: R • Hometown: East Wil care Education: St. Joseph’s (health (Jd) administration), St. John’s Law Current job: Incumbent
Two of the four county-wide election posts are being hotly contested. The other two are only, well, lukewarmly contested. Compared to the ongoing sniping between Mangano and Suozzi and Maragos and Weitzman, the races for District Attorney and County Clerk have been positively sedate. The post of District Attorney post is unlike the other posts at the top of the ticket. Although it’s one of the four countywide elective positions underneath the County Executive, the other two — Comptroller and Clerk — are typically won by the party that wins the County Executive. Not so with District Attorneys. The previous incumbent, Denis Dillon, a Republican, held the office through both Republican and Democratic administrations. The current incumbent, Kathleen Rice, is a Democrat who was re-elected even when Edward Mangano’s Republican team swept the other seats in 2009. She’s now facing off against Howard Sturim, a former assistant district attorney now serving as law clear to County Court Judge Alan L. Honorof. Sturim has prosecuted arson and homicides, and is a cogent advocate. “I believe in firm discipline and a strong hand in the DA’s office,” Sturim said. “I won’t get distracted by nonessential issues like my opponent, but will vigorously prosecute crime.” Rice, however, seems to have a popularity as unassailable as her predecessor’s. Polls showed her with a good 20 point lead over her opponent. “Anybody can be tough on crime after it happens,” she says. “I believe we have to do all we can to prevent it.” Although their only face-to-face face-off did have contentious moments, for the most part the candidates have avoided mudslinging. Likewise in the campaign for County Clerk, Lauren Gillen, a former volunteer with AIDS patients, and Maureen O’Connell, a former registered nurse, have managed to tout their talents without undue roughness. It’s not clear who’ll win control of the county administration; at last look, Mangano was polling ahead, but not so far ahead that Suozzi couldn’t win. Controller and Clerk will come from the same party; but Rice seems well-positioned for another term no matter who else wins.
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| judicial candidates: county court judge David J. Ayres
from 1998 to 2002, and a Nassau County assistant district attorney from 1988 to 1995. He is a member of local Kiwanis and Knights of Columbus organizations.
David I. Levine
(Choose 2 of 4) Current job: Assists supervising judge with administration Bar admitted: 1978 Etcetera: Harrington’s undergraduate degree is in mathematics. After earning her J.D. she put down a solid track record of legal service
including a nine-year stint as assistant district attorney in Suffolk County and 12 years as principal law clerk to a County Court judge. She is a volunteer with Island Harvest and president of the Courthouse Kiwanis club.
Published by Anton Community Newspapers Karl v. anton, jr. • Publisher, 1984-2000
Party: D Hometown: Greenvale Education: B.A. Adelphi; J.D. Hofstra University School of Law Current job: Incumbent County Court judge Bar admitted: 1994 Etcetera: Ayres was first elected to the Nassau bench in 2004, and has been a Supreme Court acting justice since 2007. He has served as the presiding justice in the Domestic Violence and Sex Offense courts. He was an assistant district attorney from 1994 to 1998.
David P. Sullivan
Angela Susan Anton • Publisher Michael Castonguay • President & COO Frank A. Virga • EVP of Sales & Operations John Owens • Editor in Chief EDITH UPDIKE • Managing Editor Tommy Von Voigt • Creative Director IRIS PICONE • Classified Manager JOY DIDONATO • Circulation Manager ON THE COVER (Photo by John Owens) The Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola, the seat of government in Nassau County Party: D Hometown: Roslyn Heights Education: B.A. Binghamton, J.D. New York Law School Current job: Private practice in Mineola Bar admitted: 1990 Etcetera: Before establishing his private practice specializing in criminal and guardianship bases, Levine served as an assistant district attorney in Queens from 1990-1997. He has served on the Town of North Hempstead’s zoning appeals board and its ecological commission. A graduate of Bayside High School, he is the mock trial coach for Great Neck South High School and a Little League coach.
132 East Second St., Mineola NY 11501 Phone: 516-747-8282 • Fax: 516-742-5867 advertising inquiries: advertising@antonnews.com editorial submissions: editorial@antonnews.com © Long Island Community Newspapers, 2013
Patricia A. Harrington
Party: R Hometown: New Hyde Park Education: B.A. Fordham University (economics and math), J.D. Fordham University School of Law Current job: Incumbent County Court judge Bar admitted: 1989 Etcetera: A graduate of Seaford High School, Sullivan began his tenure on the Nassau bench in 2003, and has since served in Family Court, District Court and the NYS Supreme Court. He was village justice of New Hyde Park
Party: R Hometown: Westbury Education: B.A. Newton College of the Sacred Heart, J.D. St. John’s University School of Law
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| Judicial Candidates: District Court Judge • 4th District (Choose 1)
• 2nd District (Choose 1)
Joy M. Watson
Rhonda Erin Fischer
Party: R Hometown: Hempstead Village Law degree: Pepperdine University Current job: Adjunct at Molloy College Bar admitted: 1987 Etcetera: Served as Deputy Comptroller until Jan. 2013
Party: R Hometown: East Norwich Law degree: Touro Law School Current job: Incumbent District Court judge Bar admitted: 1994 Etcetera: Public Interest Law Fellow
Anna M. Grimaldi
Marc Laykind
Party: D Hometown: Seaford Law degree: St. John’s University Current job: Court Attorney Referee Bar admitted: 1995 Etcetera: Serves in the Seaford SEPTA and the FORTE Music Organization. An avid Girl Scout supporter.
Party: R Hometown: Plainview Law degree: Hofstra Law Current job: Private practice Bar admitted: 1990 Etcetera: Worked as an attorney in public service for seven years before entering private practice.
• 3rd District (Choose 3)
David Goodsell
Scott H. Siller
Party: D Hometown: New Hyde Park Law degree: St. John’s University Current job: Incumbent District Court judge Bar admitted: 1981 Etcetera: Has served on the Herricks Board of Education and the Town of North Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals.
Party: D Hometown: Manhasset Law degree: New York Law Current job: Private practice in Greenvale Bar admitted: 1988 Etcetera: Flower Hill’s acting village justice from 2009-2010 and a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals until April 2012.
No Photo Provided
Elizabeth Berney
Lesli P. Hiller
Party: R Hometown: Great Neck Law degree: University of Chicago Current job: Counsel in Manhattan Bar admitted: 1978 Etcetera: Most recently represented hedge funds and large private investors in art and financial fraud litigation.
Party: R Hometown: New Hyde Park Law degree: St. John’s University Current job: Police attorney Bar admitted: 1999 Etcetera: Vice President of the Nassau County Police Department running club and member of Team Runner’s Edge Triathlon team.
Erica L. Prager Party: D Hometown: Great Neck Law degree: Yeshiva University Current job: Incumbent District Court judge Bar admitted: 1990 Etcetera: Has appeared on Court TV. Serves on the board of the Great Neck Arts Center.
Frank A. Doddato Party: R Hometown: Roslyn Heights Law degree: Brooklyn Law Current job: Private practice specializing in criminal defense Bar admitted: 1974 Etcetera: At one time represented Victoria Gotti.
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VOTER’S GUIDE - ANTON COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS - OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2013
CSEA UNION WORKERS ARE
NOT
DRIVING UP YOUR TAX BILL!
CSEA REPRESENTS 6,000 COUNTY EMPLOYEES LIKE: PROBATION OFFICERS...911 OPERATORS...CROSSING GUARDS... SNOWPLOW DRIVERS...AMBULANCE MEDICAL TECHNICIANS... NURSES...DOCTORS... DEPUTY SHERIFFS... & HUNDREDS MORE!!!
IF YOU GOT RID OF THEM ALL...
YOU WOULD STILL PAY THE HIGHEST PROPERTY TAXES IN THE NATION! Nassau Local 830
Jerry Laricchiuta, President
www.csea830.org 105761
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| State Referendums Two statewide referendums will be on the ballot. Both would primarily impact upstate regions, and thus have not received as much attention as more pressing local questions. Long Islanders may not be aware of the issues. Here is some background with the pros and cons.
Gambling On The Future The first referendum proposes to amend the State Constitution to allow up to seven Vegas-style resort casinos open across the state, as well as video-slot game facilities on Long Island. Called The Upstate New York Gaming Economic Development Act of 2013, this law has sparked some controversy despite the governor’s full support and successfully passing twice in the legislature. The state constitution currently prohibits private, non-Indian casino gambling. New York has five upstate casinos owned by Indian tribes and nine racetracks that offer electronic gambling, such as Finger Lakes Racetrack and Casino. The constitutional amendment would license new full-scale resort casinos in two rounds. First, four facilities upstate, to be located where they will not impact tribal gaming establishments. After seven years, another three casinos could be approved in as-yet-undetermined locations — including possibly downstate (gambling executives drool over New York City). Nassau and Suffolk would get a video-slot facility each. The well-funded proponents of the constitutional amendment say New York State is losing revenue to neighboring jurisdictions (including in Canada) that allow casinos, and that new casinos will mitigate the need for tax revenue from residents. They also say these businesses will create jobs. Opponents, not nearly as aggressive or well-financed, question the value of those jobs — especially when set against the social ills of gambling. Casino developers are not necessarily local; moneywise, the most generous lobbying came from the Malaysian conglomerate that runs Aqueduct Racetrack’s electronic gambling. Opponents also note that the promised revenue from such initiatives (as from Lotto) often doesn’t make its way to the schools. And that majority may be small enough that official supporters can push past voters’ generally negative views of gambling. Part of the controversy over this amendment stems from last-minute word changes to make it more attractive to voters. Instead of a simple factual description of the bill, language inserted at the 11th hour (and belatedly publicized) touts the
alleged benefits — “promoting job growth, increasing aid to schools and permitting local governments to lower property taxes.” Research from Siena College has already demonstrated that the language change moves the needle slightly in favor of the proposal. A majority of residents in Rochester came out against the proposal in two separate polls, but that majority shrank from 63 percent against in August 2011 to 53 percent now. Money from gambling interests flooded Albany as the measure was winding through the political process. Cuomo himself has received more than $1 million from gaming interests since 2005; State Senator John J. Bonacic, a Catskills Republican who chairs the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, has raised more than $85,000 from gambling companies. Recognizing the potential for conflicts of interest, at one point Cuomo inserted a provision banning developers from donating to state elected officials, similar to restrictions in New Jersey and other states, but the ban did not survive legislative negotiations.
Adirondack Land Swaps Two additional propositions require amending our state’s Constitution, and therefore also a referendum. The “Forever Wild” clause of New York’s Constitution (Section 1, Article 14) says, “The lands of the state, now owned or hereafter acquired, constituting the forest preserve as now fixed by law, shall be forever kept as wild forest lands.
They shall not be leased, sold or exchanged or be taken by any corporation public or private, nor shall the timber thereon be sold, removed or destroyed.” Adopted at the Constitutional Convention of 1894, it is the strongest public forest protection law in the country, and one of the oldest. Proposition 4, the smaller of the two proposals, aims to end 100 years of confusion and contention over the ownership of land near Raquette Lake. In essence, some poor record-keeping from the 1800s has left the state asserting ownership of land long occupied by private residents and businesses, even though it lacks documentation of its title claim. If this proposition passes, the state would abandon its claims in exchange for payments (an estimated $600,000) that would buy land for the Forest Preserve— most likely a 295-acre tract currently owned by the Open Space Institute. The state loses nothing of value — just theoretical claims to properties that have no public benefit — yet it gains (at a bargain) a tangible expansion of the Forest Preserve with direct benefit to canoeists and other members of the public. Proposition 5, on the other hand, involves trading 200 acres to a mining company in exchange for $1 million, which the state says it will use to acquire 1500 acres elsewhere to add to the preserve. NYCO, a longtime Essex County mining concern that currently employs about 100 people, seeks to follow a mineral vein that runs from property it owns into the park preserve.
Local business labor and political leaders are all in favor. This proposal has also attracted support from some environmental groups, who see 1500 for 200 as a good deal. Prop 5 supporters include The Adirondack Council, the park’s largest conservation group, which said the plan meets its criteria for a good land exchange, and the Adirondack Mountain Club. Other environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, Adirondack Wild and Protect the Adirondacks, have said amending the constitution’s “forever wild” provision to benefit a private company sets a bad precedent. Editorialists at the Lake George Mirror and the Champlain Valley Weekly have also given it a thumbs down. NYCO owns other land rich in minerals, opponents say, and the 200 acres represent valuable old-growth forests. “The term ‘forever wild’ loses meaning when we allow parcels of our remaining wilderness lands to be developed for private commercial gain,” says Roger Downs, Conservation Director of the Sierra Club’s Atlantic Chapter. “The agreement would provide new protection to land that isn’t imminently threatened, while leaving a massive hole in the ground where wilderness protections were once guaranteed. This kind of horse trading sets a lower bar for legislative behavior and if approved by the voters will lead to even greater pressure from mining, logging and real estate development interests to convert New York’s wild forests into private cash cows.” — By Edith Updike
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web Politicking: suozzi vs mangano BY jaClYn GallUCCi
Jgallucci@antonnews.com
In the race for Nassau County Executive, incumbent Ed Mangano and challenger Tom Suozzi are facing off on multiple fronts. Where do they stand with new media? Mangano had a big head start, posting his first Tweet back in 2009 — back when he was the challenger and Suozzi was the incumbent. Suozzi, however, has made up some of that lost ground since he put up his first Tweet earlier this year.
Twitter Ed Mangano (@EdMangano) joined Twitter in May 2009. His first Tweet: “Fundraiser June 16 The Woodlands 1 south woods rd Woodbury 530-730 Suggested donation $150.” Nothing
too exciting, but since then the current county exec has averaged about three to seven tweets per day over the past year and garnered nearly 5,000 followers talking about everything from town issues to local events. Not only has he made use of the #Mangano2013 hashtag, he’s very interactive and conversational. He doesn’t appear to delete any negative comments directed at him, calmly addressing personal fan gripes about the Islanders heading to Brooklyn and football leaguers complaining about the lack of lighting at local parks. So who does Ed Mangano follow on Twitter? Aside from the legions of political cronies, local organizations and acquaintances, Mr. Mangano follows the pop-punk band Paramore (@paramoreUK) and the “official Twitter of beer pong” (@ pongbeerUSA). Hey, every demographic counts. Tom Suozzi (@Tom_Suozzi) was a late-comer to the Twittersphere, hopping aboard the blue bird in February of this year to post his election plans: “Announced candidacy for Nassau CE 2013. Please join me @ www.suozzi2013.com. Together we can make Nassau the ideal suburb once again.”
Since then, Suozzi has tweeted an average of 13 to 15 times per day, mostly to bash his opponent. Suozzi has 1,934 followers — not bad for less than a year of tweeting. Suozzi has also adopted a campaign hashtag: #Suozzi2013. Suozzi takes to Twitter to talk about everything from his platform to Mangano’s shortcomings. Suozzi follows mostly journalists and media figures, along with politicians and local organizations, but a few stand out among the usual names and faces: Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi and Oprah Winfrey. There’s no public beer pong support from Suozzi, but he does follow the NY Cannabis Alliance.
facebook The Edward P. Mangano Facebook fan page has 7,013 likes. Mangano’s stated Interests is simply: “Fixing Nassau!” And just like everyone else, Mangano uses FB to take shots at his frenemies: “After
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8 years of mismanagement under Tom Suozzi, my administration has stopped the tide of jobs leaving Nassau! Good, middle-class jobs are beginning to return and we need to keep that trend going!” and to post pictures of himself rubbing elbows with celebs: “…participated with Billy Joel in the 20th Annual Oyster Bay Cleanup Day in Nassau County.” He lists at least 10 ways to contact him — including his MySpace page. Good luck with that one! The Thomas R. Suozzi Facebook fan page has 5,848 likes. Visitors to Suozzi’s page are greeted by a cover photo of Suozzi and the family taking a Sunday stroll. If you follow him on Twitter, you already know “family man” is his primary occupation. On his page, you’ll find return shots at Mangano: “Every day I speak with Nassau residents who believe Mangano is taking us in the wrong direction and who are looking for renewed leadership for a better future” and pictures of Tom posing with babies, dogs, costumed characters, and singing “Born To Be Wild” at a rally.
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VOTE CHRIS BRIGGS
• ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★
FOR OYSTER BAY TOWN COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 5th
I am a long-time Republican from Oyster Bay, running on the Democratic line. It has come to my attention that the town’s fiscal management has not been properly dealt with, which I find troubling and disheartening. Our residents bear too many burdens, among them the raising of taxes, a general fund increase of 115% over the last seven years and a 45% overall increase including special districts. Unfortunately, future generations will pay for these mistakes-unless we take action now. I share a hope, like many other residents of Oyster Bay, that my children will be able to raise their families in this beautiful town. However, at the rate the town government is spending money, this may not be a possibility. The cumulative debt is fast approaching a BILLION dollars, reported to be $878 MILLION to date. The annual growth and expenses for the Town of Oyster Bay’s operating budget from 2003-2009 averages 11.7% –– even larger than the school districts annual budget increases.
www.tobforchrisbriggs.com
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Aside from my concern over the lack of fiscal responsibility, I strongly believe we need to revive our downtown area and improve housing so the younger generations will stay and help our community grow and prosper.
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WEB from page 13C
...Everything Else Mangano has a YouTube channel, EdMangano, with 51 subscribers. He’s also known as “Ed M.” on Foursquare and has 79 Check Ins, 613 friends, and five badges including: Shutterbug, Explorer, Local and Adventurer — whatever that means. It doesn’t look like he’s earned any new badges in a while though, so it looks like Mangano jumped the Foursquare ship years ago, along with all the other trendy kids. Mangano also has an RSS Feed for all of those still stuck in the early 2000s. Mangano doesn’t appear to be too worried about having to find a new job, as his profile on LinkedIn doesn’t even have a picture. Suozzi’s YouTube channel, FriendsOfSuozzi, has 45 subscribers. He is very active on LinkedIn, just in case the whole County Executive thing doesn’t work out, with more than 500 connections, and he also has a Google Plus account. As far as search engines go, Suozzi once again takes a backseat to Mangano. A quick Google search for “Suozzi Campaign” yields 1,400 campaign-related results. A search for “Mangano Campaign” yields 1,610 — although that lead can be attributed in part to a racy advertising campaign featuring a group of
suggestively-posed nude men holding bondage props for an Italian fashion brand, also named Mangano. What do any of these things have to do with the upcoming election? Probably nothing. But if social media popularity is a predictor, Mangano wins the election on all fronts — with 7,008 Facebook likes to Suozzi’s 5,831 likes, 5,200 Twitter followers to Suozzi’s 1,934 followers, and 51 YouTube subscribers to Suozzi’s 45. The only wildcards? The other 500,000-plus voters in Nassau County.
Howard’s Record: A CPA Who Gets Results
Rooted out waste, fraud, and abuse that saved taxpayer dollars and helped balance the County’s budget
“Steadfastly Independent” “Consistently shown the independence, integrity and talent Nassau needs”
Led the effort that saved over $100 million for the County, school districts and libraries in state health insurance premiums Created the innovative Nassau RX Card that has saved residents over $12 million www.weitzmanfornassau.com
Follow Howard on Facebook
On November 5th, elect Howard Weitzman, the proven taxpayers’ advocate, as our next County Comptroller. Paid For By Friends of Howard Weitzman
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VOTER’S GUIDE - ANTON COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS - OCTOBER 23 - 29, 2013
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Why Republican Dina DeGiorgio and Democrat Leslie Gross Are Running On the Same Ticket This November 5th. With most politicians from competing parties at each other’s throats, it’s refreshing and inspiring that Republican Councilwoman Dina DeGiorgio and Democratic Town Clerk Leslie Gross are running together.
But it shouldn’t be surprising. Because Dina and Leslie stand for the same things: Good, honest, fair and efficient Town government. Where the most qualified – not the most privileged or the most party-loyal – should serve all of the people. Where Blue and Red are just colors, not challenges to a fight.
Dina...
has served as Councilwoman from Port Washington for the past two years. • She saved a park for residents of public housing. • She uncovered a secret plan between the Town and the LIRR to turn her town into a railroad siding. • She prevented a garbage company from building a depot for its 80 trucks right next door to condos for seniors.
Leslie...
has been Town Clerk since 2007. • She was cited by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks as one of the top town clerks in America. • She is District Director of the New York Town Clerks Association. And she received the profession’s highest certification: Master Municipal Clerk from Cornell University. • She is part of the fabric of people’s lives – officiating at marriages, recording births and maintaining pubic records – and she loves it.
www.VoteForDina.com
Paid for by Friends of Dina DeGiorgio
On Election Day, November 5, please vote for Dina DeGiorgio for Town Supervisor and Leslie Gross for Town Clerk. They stand for all that good Town government should be. 105592
Taxpayers CAN’T AFFORD
Tom Suozzi
Tom Suozzi spent 8 years as Nassau County Executive spending your money on a luxury office suite and a large pay raise, while setting a record for government waste and mismanagement. He claims he balanced the Nassau County budget.
Simple math shows all he did was
hike taxes and borrow millions.
Here’s what it cost Taxpayers the last time Tom Suozzi was in office: • Gave himself a generous $65,000 pay raise • Hiked property taxes 23%* • Planned another 16% hike* • Passed a tax on heat and electric† • Stuck taxpayers with a $378 million deficit • Spent nearly $70 million dollars on his own luxury office * Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) † Ed Mangano and the new Republican Legislative Majority repealed the Emergy Tax their first day in office, LI Herald 12/21/09, Nassau County Public Records, News12.com
County Executive Ed Mangano spent the past 4 years cleaning up Suozzi’s mess, cutting energy taxes and freezing property taxes.
Vote for ED MANGANO on Nov. 5th
so he can finish the job. PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF ED MANGANO
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