By:Jeff Lipton
Steven Greenblatt, 52, of Cedarhurst is challenging long-time incumbent Chester Cafasso, 77, of Hewlett for a seat on the district's Board of Commissioners, a five-year post. Cafasso has been a commissioner since 1977 and is currently the chairman of the five-member Board of Commissioners, a post that is rotated among the five commissioners. This is the first challenger Cafasso has faced in his 25 years on the board.
The election is scheduled for Monday, July 8, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Sanitary District One headquarters at One Bay Boulevard in Inwood.
The district takes in the Five Towns, Mill Brook and a small piece of the unincorporated area of Lynbrook and Valley Stream, servicing about 30,000 for garbage pickup. The board makes all critical decisions concerning the day-to-day operations of the sanitary district, including decisions on the budget and equipment.
Greenblatt, director of labor relations at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, said he hopes to replace Cafasso as one of the five members on the board.
"I would like to do something for the community and this is an opportunity for me to bring some experience to bear on behalf of the citizens of Sanitary District One," said Greenblatt, who also was deputy inspector general for the New York City Sanitation Department from 1983-87, where he was in charge of the disciplinary system.
"I'm also interested in making government more accountable," he said.
But Cafasso said he was surprised over the challenge, since district sanitation services have been operating very smoothly.
"I don't know where it's coming from or what it's all about," Cafasso, who is completing his fifth term as commissioner, said about the challenge. "We've been doing a good job and I want to see it continued."
He said the sanitary district's 6.4 percent tax rate is the lowest in the Town of Hempstead and that includes rear yard garbage pickup. "I'm interested in keeping the sanitary rate low," Cafasso said.
Cafasso was instrumental in having the current district recycling facility constructed, a facility that has served as a model, said Nathaniel Swergold, counsel to the board of commissioners. "He has served on the board a long time and believes himself qualified so he's running again.
"The fact that there's been no opposition in a number of years is indicative of the fact that in general the board of commissioners has done an excellent job," Swergold said. "It means the people owning residential and commercial properties are satisfied with the quality of service. They have maintained a comparatively low tax rate in the face of rising costs in other areas."
Although Greenblatt said the sanitation employees are doing an excellent job and the district is well-run, "there's always room for improvement."
He said if elected, his plans include examining the budget and operations. "Although people seem to be happy with the service they are getting, it doesn't mean there aren't places where we can economize," Greenblatt said.
Even though Greenblatt is a Democrat, he is not running with political affiliation in mind. "I'm running as a citizen. I want this to be non-politicized."
He called the five-member Board of Commissioners "a closed shop. It is not accessible to persons who are not members," he said.
"It appears their positions have gone unchallenged for many years," Greenblatt said. "It's time to bring a little sunshine to illuminate their government operations.
"I want to make sure the district is running efficiently and is geared to local residents' needs and desires. I think we live in a great community and I want to help keep the Five Towns a friendly place to live."
He added that he has not heard of any systemic problems in terms of service but it's delivery can be improved and that's his chief priority if elected to office.
Cafasso, a registered Republican, denied the commissioners operate in a setting closed to the public, saying the monthly meetings are open to residents. "I don't see it as a closed faction. Everything seems to be running very smoothly. There are no reasons for people to have any objections."
Cafasso, who is now retired, was president of Cafasso Lathing and Plastering of Inwood and was also town inspector for construction.
Greenblatt was an assistant district attorney in the Bronx from 1976-80 and appellate counsel to 23 county district attorneys in New York. The commissioner's post is not a paid position but a stipend does go with it.
Cafasso filed a petition with 150 names to run for reelection, while Greenblatt submitted a petition bearing 89 signatures. A total of only 25 names is required to run for the position.
