by Cris Italia
Last month, Legislators Jeffrey Toback and Michael Zapson held two meetings to see if there was indeed resident interest in incorporating Oceanside. Both meetings were well attended and both had residents voicing their opinion for and against incorporation. If nothing else, the meetings brought residents together, and with just preliminary information, there was enough interest to start a committee to research the possibilities of incorporation.
The editorial criticized both Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead. While the idea of incorporation has always been intriguing, Toback and Zapson did not provide Oceansiders with enough information. Both meetings featured the same information, which was something that angered residents. Also, the editorial criticized the Town of Hempstead and Santino for not showing visibility. Residents want and needed information, and the editorial simply stated that information from both sides was needed if an informed decision was to be made.
While I thank Santino for his response last week, he accuses the Herald of "chiding" him. The editorial called for a comment from Mr. Santino. He's a leader and a representative, so why wouldn't we want to hear his stance on the matter? It wasn't a demand, but a simple request for his thoughts.
With an opportunity to express his opinion, Santino balked and chose to avoid the question at hand. Instead he chose to attack Toback and Zapson by saying, "The issue should not be used as a vehicle to boost the electoral fortunes of any politician, whether he or she lives in Oceanside or not." He accused Toback of creating more questions than answers.
Santino also stated, "It appears that there are those who, in advancing their own partisan political agendas, want to make the question of incorporation a Democrat vs. Republican issue, or have the matter decided by unfairly denigrating town services."
With that comment, Santino turned what was an expression of ideas into a battle between one political party and another. There was no mention of partisan politics until Santino replied to our editorial.
Instead of putting a clamp on incorporation, he decided to use his space in the Herald to add tension to an already rocky relationship. Just so there's no confusion, Mr. Santino, the Herald wasn't scolding you, we were just asking you to do your job and represent the people of Oceanside.
