Letters to the Rockville Centre Herald Nov. 18, 2010

Mangano says he’s just getting started

To the Editor:

When I became county executive nearly a year ago, I did so with an understanding that I would have an opportunity to truly fix Nassau County. My goals were simple: provide tax relief for families and employers, improve the quality of our services and facilities, and reform our county’s finances so that we are never brought to the brink of bankruptcy again.

My first budget, passed by the Legislature just a few weeks ago, includes the goals I set out to achieve. Facing a $343 million deficit — the largest in Nassau County history — I made the necessary reductions in the size of government. This includes eliminating $148 million in wasteful spending by consolidating functions and reducing the work force by more than 400 positions — to the lowest level since the 1950s.

We will hold the line on property taxes for each of the next four years while keeping our promise of no tax to your home energy bill. We’ve made sure that improvements continue to be made to our parks, and kept the same number of police officers on our streets. We also included veterans housing initiatives, will continue our heroin prevention programs, and made certain that social services can be delivered to our most vulnerable neighbors. Finally, we’ve implemented reforms to an assessment system and sewer districts that have cost taxpayers dearly.

With all of that said, the poor economy and lack of jobs in New York state has put a tremendous strain on Nassau County.

Because of Albany’s dysfunction, we face increasing pension, health care and unfunded-mandate costs. If the economy doesn’t improve, our choices will be simple: raise property taxes or cut critical services.

However, there isn’t much left to cut other than our work force, mental health services, minority outreach efforts, and senior citizen and youth programs. While no one ever wants to see these services eliminated, I will do so before I even think of raising your taxes. For almost a year I have participated in an honest discussion of our county’s finances with our work force, residents and employers. We all agree that now is not the time to raise property taxes.

Unfortunately, Nassau’s oversight board — NIFA — and one rating agency have criticized me for eliminating what they consider future revenue. But what they don’t understand is that additional revenue from property taxes is just not bearable in this economy.

News sources have recently reported a potential NIFA takeover of Nassau County. Only 10 months into my four-year term, I have taken significant steps toward fixing our county. I was elected by the people, and I demand the appropriate and fair time needed to fix Nassau. Anything less would simply be political maneuvering by an oversight board appointed by Albany politicians. There is much work left to be done in Nassau County, and I look forward to doing it.

Edward Mangano

County executive

Your trash may be someone’s treasure

To the Editor:

While skimming the Crime Watch in the Nov. 4-10 issue, I couldn’t help but notice that two elderly men, ages 77 and 87, were issued appearance tickets for “disturbing curbside recyclables.” I had never heard of this crime, and thought it must entail more wrongdoing than sifting through recycling bins for spare cans and bottles. Out of curiosity and confusion, I called the Rockville Centre Police Department, and to my dismay, I was told that the crime is exactly what it sounds like.

First, I want to make it clear that I am well aware that our police force does not create the laws. Rather, they are responsible for enforcing them. I understand that the police were rightfully doing their job and are not the “bad guys” in this situation by any means.

That being said, I am confused about the rationale behind this supposed crime. By placing an item on the curb, I have indicated that I don’t want it and essentially have abandoned ownership of the item. If I were planning to turn in my empty cans for the deposits, then a recyclable collector would be cheating me out of that money. But since I made the choice not to collect the deposits, why stand in the way of someone else‘s opportunity to claim them? Either way, the cans and bottles will get recycled. I have to assume that anyone finding himself in this situation is going through hard times in an economic recession, swallowing all sorts of dignity and pride to dig through my recyclables just to keep their head above water. I have a hard time believing that either of these elderly men meant any harm, posed any threat or intended to break the law.

To focus the time and effort of village police on the neediest of the needy shows a clear lack of priorities. Luckily I don’t think this law is at all representative of the mindset of those of us fortunate enough to live in Rockville Centre. As a third-generation resident of the village, I can honestly state with pride that the vast majority of my neighbors and friends are compassionate, good-hearted people who are not at all ignorant of the plight of others.

My only hope is that when the two elderly men make their court appearances, they are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve, and that their cases are viewed in the context of unfortunate circumstances.

Caroline Kaplan

Rockville Centre

Enjoyed Brinton’s visit

To the Editor:

I want to express my appreciation to one of your columnists, Scott Brinton, for speaking to my class recently. I am an adjunct professor at SUNY Old Westbury, teaching an Introduction to U.S. Politics course.

Brinton discussed the recent election and why young people should remain on Long Island. He spoke with conviction, clarity and a great amount of knowledge. He was able to engage the class (this isn’t easy at 8:30 a.m.) and encouraged the students to enhance their education both inside and outside the classroom.

The journalism profession is fortunate to have Scott Brinton as a member. I will continue to read and enjoy his columns, and my students and I were happy to meet him.

Joseph A. Haynor

Rockville Centre