New-look Legislature inducted

A large audience at the Cradle of Aviation in Garden City on Monday witnessed the official transfer of power on the Nassau County Legislature.

After 10 years of Democratic control, the eighth session of the Legislature will now be in the hands of Republicans, who have an 11-8 majority.

Newly inducted Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) vowed to find solutions to the county's fiscal woes without raising taxes or fees. "The hallmark for the coming two years must be, Can we afford it?" Schmitt said. "Just as every family has to ask themselves in these perilous economic times."

The new presiding officer unveiled a preview of some initiatives, including a plan to introduce legislation that would bar privatization of county parks and facilities. He also said the Legislature would help cut "bloated" administrative staff and consider the consolidation of government services.

Schmitt and the Republicans were sworn in by Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford), while state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli did the honors for the Democrats.

In addition to King and DiNapoli, Sen. Charles Schumer and newly inducted County Executive Edward Mangano made remarks.

Each speaker emphasized the prudence of teamwork across party lines, given the challenges facing lawmakers on all levels.

Mangano, who was sworn in on Jan. 1, said teamwork will be crucial in restoring the county's fiscal health. "Let me be clear: If we don't work together and open up new doors of communication and build new bridges, we will have a very tough time accomplishing that task," he said.

King said, "Issues that confront our nation, our state and our county transcend party lines, and transcend partisanship.

In addressing the Democrats, DiNapoli offered similar advice: "Working together with the Republicans is an important theme everyone has sounded," he said.

But about an hour later, tensions were already noticeable between the parties. The scene shifted to the Theodore Roosevelt Legislative and Executive Building in Mineola for the first session of the eighth Legislative session.