By Angela Marshall
Appointing Cancellieri, a registered Republican, helps fulfill Suozzi's campaign promise to hire across party lines.
Cancellieri called their partnering a good match. They come from separate political backgrounds and parts of the county. Suozzi made his name as mayor of Glen Cove on the North Shore, while Cancellieri has spent 14 years building Rockville Centre's financial strength on the South Shore.
They met at different meetings and organizations on the Island over the years. And when Cancellieri heard Suozzi say he would form his transition team based on who was best for the job instead of party affiliation, he thought, This guy wasn't just telling a story.
Now he knows Suozzi wasn't.
Arthur Gianelli, a Democrat and currently the Town of North Hempstead's director of finance, was also given the title deputy county executive.
I am fortunate to have found individuals of this high caliber to serve on our team, Suozzi said in a statement. Their level of expertise and accomplishment will prove to be valuable assets in the administration.
Suozzi and Cancellieri have already begun meeting, figuring out how best to use the village administrator's skills.
During Cancellieri's tenure in Rockville Centre, the village has seen many improvements. It is one of only six municipalities to receive a bond rating of AAA3 from Moody's. In addition, the village's debt limits are the lowest they've been in 60 years and its tax rate increase is the lowest of any municipality in the state for 10 years.
The village has had a budget surplus every year since Cancellieri took office.
In addition to an overhaul of the village's electric and water systems, many of the village's buildings have been enhanced and renovated during Cancellieri's tenure, including the Rec Center, the Sandel Senior Center, the Police Department, the Public Works and Village Hall.
Cancellieri said it was an extremely difficult decision to leave the village but that he felt compelled to take on the new challenge. Besides, he said, You should leave when you're on top.
While the specifics of his county responsibilities have not been set, Cancellieri said several departments will be answering to him and he will be advising the county executive on different issues.
The future deputy executive said the first piece of business for the new Nassau government will be to define how deep a hole the county is in. No stone will go unturned he said, promising a department-by-department review. It was in this same manor that Cancellieri rescued a floundering Rockville Centre when he became village administrator in 1987, after the position had sat empty for almost a year.
While the county may be a larger piece of pie than he cut off in Rockville Centre, Cancellieri is not intimidated. He recalled the mess New York City was in when he worked their under the Koch administration. He worked for the city for 13 years in different positions before becoming village administrator.
It's great in New York City now, he said.
What will it take to fix Nassau? It is raising taxes, cutting expenses and union concessions, Cancellieri said. But it won't happen over night. It's going to take some time.
Cancellieri believes the most important part of the puzzle is now in place
