LI Elections 2009 (Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Long Beach: crime, quality of life, taxes)

[Smash255]

Originally Posted by pdcnret

Actually, the reason that the deficit may be lower is that Suozzi has had massive tax increases in his eight years in office. (There were significantly fewer/smaller tax increases during the Gulotta years.) And yet we're still looking into a fiscal abyss. At least Gulotta can blame his deficit on the fact that Mondello wouldn't let him raise taxes when it was necessary. And Gulotta also experienced a bad economy, too (early 90s.)

The problem with Suozzi's financial house of cards began long before the current economic crisis. He can no longer blame Republicans for his problems, either; he's been the County Executive for almost eight years now. And without NIFA's help, Suozzi would be nowhere.

That really isn't true. Suozzi did raise taxes his 1st year in office, something he actually campaigned on doing, because of the utter disaster we were in economically, facing the $400 million deficit. Over the past six years, we have only seen the county taxes go up once, 3.9% or $58. Meanwhile the Town taxes (especially Hempstead & Oyster Bay) have exploded in the last six years. Town of Hempstead is up 27%, Town of Oyster Bay is up 41%. Not to mention the School taxes.

[pdcnret]

Originally Posted by Smash255

That really isn't true. Suozzi did raise taxes his 1st year in office, something he actually campaigned on doing, because of the utter disaster we were in economically, facing the $400 million deficit. Over the past six years, we have only seen the county taxes go up once, 3.9% or $58. Meanwhile the Town taxes (especially Hempstead & Oyster Bay) have exploded in the last six years. Town of Hempstead is up 27%, Town of Oyster Bay is up 41%. Not to mention the School taxes.

Your post is very revealing. In fact, it reads right from the Democratic playbook. You should attach real numbers to your claims of massive tax hikes in the Hempstead and Oyster Bay while downplaying what Suozzi has done. That "explosive" tax hike in Oyster Bay over the last six years cost me all of $63.00. How much do you think the Suozzi tax hikes have cost me? Significantly more.

The real truth is that Suozzi raised property taxes 19.4% in 2002; 3.9% in 2009; and imposed a heating oil tax of 2.5% (equivalent to a property tax hike of 5%) earlier this year. Early in his tenure he received a 105 million dollar bailout from NIFA (equivalent to a county-wide property tax hike of about 12%). So that's an effective tax increase of about 41% ... and still the County is in fiscal trouble (yet none of the towns you cited are.) He's still bonding certorari payments and using one-shot revenues to close his budget gaps (yet none of the towns you cited are.) And all the while he's got his eyes on some state-wide elective office. Oh yeah, the Suozzi years have been so much better than the Gulotta years. The truth is that he expected to be long gone from Nassau County before his financial house of cards collapsed. Unfortunately, we may get to see that reality before long.

Again, read the Long Island Press article about the precarious state of Nassau County finances. This guy should be run out of town on a rail. And all the NYC Democrats working in Nassau County government with him.

[Smash255]

Originally Posted by pdcnret

Your post is very revealing. In fact, it reads right from the Democratic playbook. Suozzi raised property taxes 19.4% in 2002; 3.9% in 2009; and a heating oil tax of 2.5% (equivalent to a property tax hike of 5%) earlier this year. He received a 105 million dollar bailout from NIFA (equivalent to a county-wide property tax hike of about 12%). So that's an increase of about 41% ... and still the County is in fiscal trouble. He's still bonding certorari payments and using one-shot revenues to close his budget gaps. And all the while he's got his eyes on some state-wide elective office. Oh yeah, the Suozzi years are so much better than the Gulotta years. The truth is that he expected to be long gone from Nassau County before this financial house of cards collapsed. Unfortunately, we may get to see that reality before long.

Again, read the Long Island Press article about the precarious state of Nassau County finances. This guy should be run out of town on a rail. And all his NYC Democrats (working in Nassau County government) with him.

Considering the money from NIFA has a tax increase is a little odd considering no one's taxes increased because of it. He raised property taxes twice, the first time was the large increase his first year in office (something he campaigned on) due to the $432 million deficit the county was facing when he took over from Gullotta. He held the line on taxes the next five years, with a 3.9% increase for 09, the county legislature just passed its 6th no tax increase budget in the last 7 years for 2010. As far as the home heating tax, Nassau County was one of the last counties in the region to implement it in one way or another. Taxes have gone up in recent years, but the VAST majority of those increases have come from the school district taxes and town taxes (with Oyster Bay and Hempstead with the largest increases).

The two who would gain the most power if Suozzi were to lose and/or the Dems losing the legislature would be Mangano (for CE) and Schmitt (who would be majority leader), two of the strongest Gullotta supporters during his tenure.

[pdcnret]

Originally Posted by Smash255

Considering the money from NIFA has a tax increase is a little odd considering no one's taxes increased because of it. He raised property taxes twice, the first time was the large increase his first year in office (something he campaigned on) due to the $432 million deficit the county was facing when he took over from Gullotta. He held the line on taxes the next five years, with a 3.9% increase for 09, the county legislature just passed its 6th no tax increase budget in the last 7 years for 2010. As far as the home heating tax, Nassau County was one of the last counties in the region to implement it in one way or another. Taxes have gone up in recent years, but the VAST majority of those increases have come from the school district taxes and town taxes (with Oyster Bay and Hempstead with the largest increases).

The two who would gain the most power if Suozzi were to lose and/or the Dems losing the legislature would be Mangano (for CE) and Schmitt (who would be majority leader), two of the strongest Gullotta supporters during his tenure.

Do you get your information from Suozzi's campaign literature ... or Newsday, his official spokesperson? It's always nice to hear that the reason you're raising taxes (ie, the heating tax) is "because everyone else is doing it." So, his 2009 tax hikes equal about 9% (property plus heating), on top of the 20% in 2002. During his entire tenure in office, Gulotta never raised taxes that much.

Despite "trimming the size of the county workforce" (except the 400 administrative managers he hired - mostly NYC Democrats in a failed attempt to curry favor with the Democratic party for his laughable gubernatorial campaign), giving away county parks, and all of his other "innovative" programs; AND raising taxes significantly; AND getting bailed out by NIFA (and as far as that not being "taxpayer money", where do you think it came from?), he's still looking at a fiscal meltdown? The Long Island Press reveals that with all the bravado about bond upgrades, Nassau is comparable to Wayne County, Michigan (which includes Detroit) in terms of large counties with similar bond ratings. Great company to be in. Oh, and, by the way, this despite the fact that we have the second highest property taxes in the nation.

The truth is that Suozzi blew through over 200 million in reserves, still borrows for operating costs and has yet to fix the tax cert problems. He's had eight years, and things are are no better than they were before. (He's still blaming the prior administration for his fiscal problems.) His fiscal management (mismanagement?)of the county is indefensible. It's time for him to go.

[Smash255]

Originally Posted by pdcnret

Do you get your information from Suozzi's campaign literature ... or Newsday, his official spokesperson? It's always nice to hear that the reason you're raising taxes (ie, the heating tax) is "because everyone else is doing it." So, his 2009 tax hikes equal about 9% (property plus heating), on top of the 20% in 2002. During his entire tenure in office, Gulotta never raised taxes that much.

Despite "trimming the size of the county workforce" (except the 400 administrative managers he hired - mostly NYC Democrats in a failed attempt to curry favor with the Democratic party for his laughable gubernatorial campaign), giving away county parks, and all of his other "innovative" programs; AND raising taxes significantly; AND getting bailed out by NIFA (and as far as that not being "taxpayer money", where do you think it came from?), he's still looking at a fiscal meltdown? The Long Island Press reveals that with all the bravado about bond upgrades, Nassau is comparable to Wayne County, Michigan (which includes Detroit) in terms of large counties with similar bond ratings. Great company to be in. Oh, and, by the way, this despite the fact that we have the second highest property taxes in the nation.

The truth is that Suozzi blew through over 200 million in reserves, still borrows for operating costs and has yet to fix the tax cert problems. He's had eight years, and things are are no better than they were before. (He's still blaming the prior administration for his fiscal problems.) His fiscal management (mismanagement?)of the county is indefensible. It's time for him to go.

The vast majority of the increase occurred his 1st year in office as a result of the $400 million + deficit the county was facing when Gullotta handed the county over to Suozzi.

As far as the bonds, compared to where it was when Suozzi took over (one notch above junk), is it perfect? Of course not, but has gone up 13 notches. Which is much better than the previous administartion.

As far as having the 2nd highest property taxes in the nation, that is true, however very little of that has to do with the county. 1/6 of the property taxes are due to the county. The vast majority of it is school taxes, and both the school & TOB & TOH taxes have gone up FAR more than the county taxes. On top of that 65% of the county taxes, go to the Police.

[I_Love_LI_but]

Originally Posted by Smash255

The two who would gain the most power if Suozzi were to lose and/or the Dems losing the legislature would be Mangano (for CE) and Schmitt (who would be majority leader), two of the strongest Gullotta supporters during his tenure.

Vote against Suozzi and for them even if they were Gullotta supporters.

If they also fail to serve the people and just use their office as a self-enrichment and empowerment scheme, then VOTE THEM OUT NEXT ELECTION.

Repeat as necessary. Over and over again until we finally get someone who is worthy to be reelected as an incumbent.

[pdcnret]

Originally Posted by Smash255

The vast majority of the increase occurred his 1st year in office as a result of the $400 million + deficit the county was facing when Gullotta handed the county over to Suozzi.

As far as the bonds, compared to where it was when Suozzi took over (one notch above junk), is it perfect? Of course not, but has gone up 13 notches. Which is much better than the previous administartion.

As far as having the 2nd highest property taxes in the nation, that is true, however very little of that has to do with the county. 1/6 of the property taxes are due to the county. The vast majority of it is school taxes, and both the school & TOB & TOH taxes have gone up FAR more than the county taxes. On top of that 65% of the county taxes, go to the Police.

Straight from the Suozzi playbook: Blame everybody else, especially the prior administration; deflect attention from your mismanagement; do whatever it takes to get to the next rung of the political ladder. And spend, spend, spend!

Take off the blinders and see the absolute havoc that Suozzi has wreaked in Nassau.

[Smash255]

Originally Posted by pdcnret

Straight from the Suozzi playbook: Blame everybody else, especially the prior administration; deflect attention from your mismanagement; do whatever it takes to get to the next rung of the political ladder. And spend, spend, spend!

Take off the blinders and see the absolute havoc that Suozzi has wreaked in Nassau.

Of course the Republicans can't dispute the fact that the vast majority of the increase occurred his 1st year in office as a direct result of the Gullotta deficit that we were facing, the fact that we have had 13 bond upgrades under Suozzi or the fact that over the last six years the Republican controlled Towns of Hempstead and Oyster Bay have raised taxes far more than Suozzi has.

[I_Love_LI_but]

There is no difference between Republican and Democrat politicians, so arguing about who did what and who is worse is counterproductive.

Voting straight down the line for either party is not going to do anything.

They are all in politics for self-enrichment and self-empowerment.

The only way to show the politicians that We, the People, are serious that they, the politicians, put our interests ahead of the interests of whoever has the most money to bribe them ... um I mean to contribute to them ... is to VOTE OUT ALL INCUMBENTS, REGARDLESS OF PARTY, UNTIL WE ACTUALLY FIND INCUMBENTS WORTHY OF RE-ELECTING!

[Jdawg8181]

Dems! Dems! Dems! They're gonna get elected again! Wooooo hooooo yay Dems!