NASSAU COUNTY - COUNTY-WIDE OFFICES

Below are the candidates' responses given to questions asked by the non-partisan Nassau County League of Women Voters.  These responses and those of candidates in other races can be found at http://lwvofnassaucounty.org/files/NassauElections2013.pdf.  Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.  

NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Edward Mangano 
(Rep, Con, I, TRP)

Biographical Info:
On January 1, 2010, Edward P. Mangano was sworn into office as Nassau County Executive. That same day, the County Executive kept his pledge to taxpayers by repealing Nassau County’s Home Energy Tax – the equivalent of a 5% property tax reduction for homeowners. Mr. Mangano is the first County Executive to place tax dollars back in the pockets of our residents. Ed Mangano believes that high taxes kill jobs. That is why County Executive Mangano has held the line on County property taxes every year since taking office, eliminated a 16.5% property tax increase planned by the prior administration and even stopped a County Food Tax dead in its tracks. Nassau County was the highest-taxed county in the nation before Ed Mangano took office - that is no longer the case due to his cost-saving policies. In fact, Nassau County won the New York State Local Government Efficiency Award. 

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QUESTIONS


Q: How do you propose to improve the financial health of our county? 


A: Throughout his term as County Executive, Mr. Mangano has focused on rebuilding Nassau County without asking taxpayers to foot the bill for the $378 million deficit he inherited from the prior administration. To accomplish this, County Executive Mangano cut over $330 million in wasteful spending and launched nationally recognized public-private partnerships – savings taxpayers millions of dollars and generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. 


Q: What will you do to improve our county's assessment system? Please be specific. 

A: MANGANO’S SOLUTIONS THE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM County Executive Mangano: 
•Ended the practice of borrowing against our children’s future by advancing a plan – developed in consultation with Nassau County Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) – to pay off the $1.6 billion in debt without raising property taxes. 
•Froze assessments for four years – just as the 
majority of assessing jurisdictions throughout the state do as well. 
•Ended the practice of returning money the County never received initially. •Save $28 million annually through settlement program and reduced taxpayer liability by 93%. 
•Encourage grievants to settle complaints prior to issuing an assessment roll and demanding payment. 
•Nassau County’s assessment system now has a path to recovery thanks to County Executive Mangano. 


Q: Because Nassau County depends solely on groundwater, what is your position regarding the formation of a Bi-County Aquifer Management Compact to insure the improvement and preservation of our water supply and will you support state legislation to create such a compact? 

A: Yes, I support all efforts to protect our aquifers. I have worked tirelessly to protect our aquifers and have gained much experience in working with the Department of Health, Department of Environmental Conservation and local water officials in protecting our aquifers – especially in Bethpage where pollution from the former defense industry contractors and military uses that continue to threaten our water supply. Clearly, pesticide use on Long Island’s agricultural, commercial and residential properties have made their way to our waterways and aquifers.  i support the use of non-toxic alternatives such as borax and beneficial nematodes which help protect our drinking water.  I am pleased many garden centers are now stocking non-toxic alternatives.

Thomas Suozzi
(Dem, WFP)

Biographical Info: 
In 2001, Nassau voters elected Tom Suozzi, an attorney, CPA, and former Glen Cove Mayor, to take over from Republican County Executive Tom Gulotta. Nassau’s government was labeled the “worst run county in America:” debt, deficits, patronage,  mismanagement, finances one step above junk bond status, and a financial control board in place—and Tom transformed it. Governing Magazine recognized Tom nationally for his work, calling him “The man who spearheaded Nassau’s remarkable turnaround from the brink of financial disaster.” Under Tom’s watch Nassau experienced a record 13 credit rating upgrades, 8 balanced budgets with 8 verified surpluses, spending kept below the rate of inflation every year, and an 11% cut in the county workforce (over 1,000 jobs) without a single layoff. Tom is running to stop reckless borrowing, bond downgrades, and a broken tax assessment system that causes school taxes to skyrocket. Tom is a leader. He has a vision to make Nassau the best county in the country again. 

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QUESTIONS

Q: How do you propose to improve the financial health of our county? 

A: Nassau County is in dire fiscal straights, as it was when I first took over in 2002 when it I first took over. We turned it around, passing 8 balanced budgets with 8 surpluses, decreasing Nassau’s debt and borrowing, and receiving 13 bond rating upgrades. Ed Mangano has ruined the assessment system, causing homeowners’ school taxes to skyrocket, borrowed over $2 billion and increased Nassau’s debt to the highest it’s ever been, receiving 3 bond downgrades. Due to Mangano’s inability to balance the budget, Nassau became only the second county in the history of the state to have its finances taken over by a control board (NIFA). I will cut overtime by $15m, save $10m by reducing politically-connected outside contracts, save $10m by restructuring our debt, save $5m through collaboration with other municipalities, maximize State and Federal program revenues to bring in $5m, and save $45m through smart, creative government initiatives. See my whole plan at suozzi2013.com/suozzis-plan. 

Q: What will you do to improve our county's assessment system? Please be specific. 

A: Ed Mangano's mismanaged tax assessment system has caused your school taxes to go up by 19% over the past two years alone. I will address the two largest problems with the broken system: The “Mangano Tax” which has caused dramatic increases in the school tax rate and Mangano’ attempt to shift of the County Guaranty to the schools. I will Re-evaluate the freeze to take into account the cyclical nature and fluctuations in the real estate market and reduce the influence of politically-connected tax attorneys who profit from the broken system. I eliminate the county's borrowing to pay refunds, fix the commercial assessment department, and change the way we pay grievances so Nassau homeowners no longer foot the bill for big business handouts. I will drop the County Guaranty lawsuit immediately and I will restore integrity to the assessment department so Nassau's taxpayers benefit. Read the full plan at suozzi2013.com/suozzis-plan. 

Q: Because Nassau County depends solely on groundwater, what is your position regarding the formation of a Bi-County Aquifer Management Compact to insure the improvement and preservation of our water supply and will you support state legislation to create such a compact? 

A:  I favor a Bi-County Aquifer Management Compact and will pursue State Legislation to created it.  Groundwater and drinking water protection are critically important to the health and well being of all those who live and work in Nassau Copunty.  With that in mind, our disparate towns, villages, and counties must work together to ensure the qulaity, safety, and protection of our water, especially with regard to our shared aquifers.  An issue at one end of an aquifer in Suffolk County could lead to problems all the way to Nassau.  We cannot let our municipal borders overshadow the fact that the protection of our drinking water is a regional, aquifer-wide issue. My commitment to protecting and improving our groundwater is best shown through my record. As County Executive, I preserved over 208 acres of land in Nassau County’s Special Groundwater Protection Area (SGPA) through the $150 million Nassau County Environmental Bond Act Program and the Open Space Fund. 

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NASSAU COUNTRY COMPTROLLER

George Maragos  
(Party: Rep, Con, I TRP)

Biographical Info: 
Mr. Maragos is presently the elected Nassau County Comptroller 
managing a budget of $2.8 billion. He has helped restore fiscal responsibility to County government, by lowering taxes, and slashing costs, while maintaining essential services. Mr. Maragos brought a common sense philosophy to government from his successful business career - Government must live within its means. Mr. Maragos has been a strong advocate for minority owned business opportunities in contracting, hiring, living wage enforcement, and increased funding for  Non-Profits and Youth Boards. Prior to his election as Comptroller, Mr. Maragos was in private industry with over 35 years of accomplishments in senior management positions; in Banking, Consulting and Information Systems. Mr. Maragos has served as Vice President of Citicorp and as Vice President of the Chase Manhattan Bank. Mr. Maragos was founder and President of SDS Financial Technologies where he guided the firm in steady growth for over 20 years. Mr. Maragos holds Masters in Business Administration (1983) and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Degree (1973). Mr. Maragos is happily married to his wife Angela of 38 years and has two sons and two beautiful grandchildren.

Questions: 


Q: How would improve your job as fiscal watchdog of county finances? 


A: I have instituted procedures to ensure that all contracts deliver good value to tax payers by insisting that payments be tied to performance. All invoices are being verified prior to payments made. Cost overruns have been capped at no more than 10% and all contracts must be competitively rebid after three years. Intensive audits of all county departments will continue to root out waste and streamline management effectiveness. All departments including the County Executive are and will continue to be held to their budget. 


Q: What have you done and what do you plan to do about the abuse and waste of government money? 

A: Waste is immediately reported to the Legislature and the County Executive for action. Additionally, the public is informed applying pressure on the department to end the waste. Follow up audits are conducted after 3-6 months to ensure that waste has been terminated. Fraud is immediately reported to the District Attorney and the State Attorney General. 

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Howard Weitzman 
(Party: Dem, WFP)

Biographical Info: 
In 2001, Howard Weitzman became the only CPA ever elected to the 
office of Nassau County Comptroller after a 30 year career as a healthcare financial executive. He was subsequently re-elected to a second term in 2005. During his eight years as Comptroller, Howard Weitzman played a central role in the financial rescue of Nassau County. Under Howard’s leadership, the office of Comptroller became a national model for transparency and accountability while at the same time developing a reputation for groundbreaking audits, independence and integrity. A graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School and Queens College, Howard is the former Mayor of Great Neck Estates, where he and his wife resided for 35 years and raised three children. 

Questions: 

Q: How would improve your job as fiscal watchdog of county finances? 


A: Mr. Maragos has earned a failing grade as the county’s fiscal watchdog. Since he took office, the county’s bond rating has been lowered three times, the county’s finances have gone from ‘stable’ to ‘negative,’ and the county’s debt has reached a new all-time high. He has also resorted to producing positive spin for the administration instead of financial reports that accurately assess the county’s financial condition. As Comptroller, I will produce ground-breaking audits that will root out waste, fraud, and abuse, I’ll produce honest and timely financial reports, and I’ll demonstrate true independence in the way I report the county’s financial results. 


Q: What have you done and what do you plan to do about the abuse and waste of government money? 

A: When I served previously as County Comptroller, I was aggressive in going after waste and abuse. One of my proudest achievements in this area was forcing the state to reduce healthcare premiums for municipalities by $500 million state-wide, including saving Long Island school districts $100 million and Nassau County $11 million. I also demonstrated the ability to “think out of the box,” creating the NassauRX drug discount program, saving under-insured Nassau County residents over $2 million per year at no cost to the taxpayers. I was also the first comptroller to audit the multitude of county special taxing districts, exposing waste, abuse, and 
nepotism on a scale never imagined. If elected in November, I will put every county agency and source of county funds on notice that we will be vigilant in watching how taxpayer dollars are used. The people of Nassau County work too hard and pay too much to have their tax dollars go to waste. 

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NASSAU COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Kathleen Rice 
(Dem, I, WFP)

Biographical Info: 
Kathleen Rice is the District Attorney of Nassau County. Kathleen’s innovative, tough and smart-on-crime initiatives have garnered the two-term District Attorney critical acclaim and national attention. After shocking the political establishment in 2005 with her defeat of a 31-year incumbent (making her the first woman elected DA in Long Island history), Kathleen has defined what it means to be a modern prosecutor, proving that law enforcement officials can be both tough and smart on crime. Kathleen's nationally-recognized effort to combat drunk-driving has led to statewide changes in DWI law and Long Island’s first two DWI-related murder convictions. In 2008, CBS's 60 Minutes profiled Kathleen's work to reduce drunk driving, sparking a renewed national debate on local law enforcement's role in DWI prevention, prosecution and education. Kathleen has taken down scores of public officials preying on the public’s trust. Her investigations into public corruption have resulted in government reform and led a Long Island newspaper to dub Kathleen, New York's “Eliot Ness.” Kathleen overhauled the training program administered to first-year prosecutors in the office, resulting in higher trial conviction rates, a reduction in plea bargaining, and an increase in violent felons going to jail and prison. In addition to cracking down on violent crime, Kathleen has launched several education initiatives that target the causes of crime. Her presentations, aimed at educating communities and youth about the dangers of drunk driving, heroin and prescription drug abuse, identity theft and Internet crime, have been given in more than 200 settings since she  took office. Kathleen's career in public service began as an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn, New York, where she handled cases of domestic violence, gang activity and homicide. In 1999, Kathleen was appointed an assistant United States attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice's Philadelphia office. 

Questions: 

Q: What will be your focus as District Attorney over the next two years? 
A: We need to build on the gains we’ve made against violent crime. Through improved prosecutor training and hiring, we’ve reduced plea bargaining and increased the number of violent felons going to jail. We’re leading the largest gang prosecution in Nassau history, and our formation of a gun prosecution unit has meant more violent perpetrators are going to prison for gun possession than ever before. We must continue this progress. We can’t go back to the days of catch-and-release public safety policy. But this job is about more than being tough on violent crime. This job is about having the vision to address emerging challenges that threaten our safety. It’s about having the guts and the independence to take on challenges that others won’t. Whether it’s our leadership on DWI prevention or our aggressive and independent prosecutions of corruption, my focus will be making sure this office never goes back to the times when the county’s prosecutors refused to challenge the status quo. 

Q: What do you plan to do about human trafficking and violent crime in Nassau County? 
A: Human trafficking is not just an issue of international importance. We see the evidence of it every day on Nassau County streets. That’s why I’ve partnered with the state’s chief judge to open an innovative, specialized court part to handle cases of trafficking victims and exploited sex 
workers. Rather than treat these men and women like criminals, we’re offering them victim services so that they can break free from the industry and live safe, law-abiding lives. It’s also important to note that human trafficking doesn’t only involved smuggled international victims. It can also take the form of local prostitution involving exploited sex workers – many of whom are children – victimized by local pimps on local street corners. Prostitution is not a victimless crime. That’s why, in addition to forming a specialized court part to try and turn these victims’ lives around, I also decided to drive down the demand for prostitution by aggressively targeting 
the johns who fuel the industry. 

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Howard Sturim 
(Rep, Con, TRP)

Biographical Info: 
I am a lifetime Nassau County resident. I grew up here, and attended Hofstra Law School. Upon graduation, I worked for Nassau County as an Assistant District Attorney. I started trying misdemeanors, then felonies. I was promoted to head the Arson Unit, and was later promoted to the Major Offense Bureau, where I prosecuted Nassau County's homicides and high profile cases. I was with the DA's Office for thirteen years. I was later honored when I was recruited by a Supreme Court Judge to work as his counsel. We work on criminal felony cases, from felony complaint, through trial, to sentence. I have worked with the Judge for the last nine years. I have spent my life working on behalf of the citizens of Nassau County. 


Questions: 


Q: What will be your focus as District Attorney over the next two years? 

A: My focus as District Attorney would be the vigorous prosecution of violent crime! People live in Nassau County to be free from the crime that overwhelms urban areas. Unfortunately, though my opponent ran with a platform of being tough on violent crime, which has not been the 
case. My opponent plea bargains almost 70% of violent felonies to misdemeanors or less! Are you shocked? You should be! Only 18.7% of those in Nassau charged with violent felonies ever spend ONE day in prison! That's far less than Suffolk, that's less than the NYS average of all 
non-NYC counties, and that's even less than Manhattan! No wonder violent crime is up since my opponent took office! Now I know what you’re thinking. Why should we believe him? You don't. Go on DCJS website, click on “statistics”, then Nassau, and verify for yourself what I am 
saying. I will go after illegal guns. I will go after gangs and violent criminals. I will get the Predators! I am Howard Sturim, and I need your vote. 


Q: What do you plan to do about human trafficking and violent crime in Nassau County? 


A: I would vigorously prosecute anyone guilty of human trafficking. That said, what would I not do? I would not waste the taxpayers’ money on frivolous “Get the Johns” stings. I would not publicize the names and photographs of alleged 'Johns' for my own political motives. I would not 
subject the adults to harassment, and the children to bullying, just for the publicity that I, as DA, might derive. Unlike my opponent, I believe in “innocent until proven guilty”, and I believe in“due process of law”. Most importantly, I believe in the Constitution. I would not publish the names and photos of those merely accused for my own purposes.  

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COUNTY CLERK

Laura A. Gillen
(Dem, WFP)

Biographical Info: 
Laura Gillen is a practicing attorney, the mother of four and a candidate for Nassau County Clerk. At present, Ms. Gillen serves as Counsel to the Uniondale law firm of Westerman Ball Ederer Miller & Sharfstein, LLP, where she practices commercial litigation. Ms. Gillen, a Nassau County native, has long sought to serve her community. She volunteered in her youth at South Nassau Communities Hospital and Camp Anchor. Her interest in public service ripened while a student at Georgetown University, where she concentrated her studies in government. At Georgetown, Ms. Gillen was honored with the distinction of being selected to be a George Baker Scholar. Her participation in the Baker Scholar program impacted the direction of her life profoundly with its lessons of leadership and community service. After graduating cum laude from Georgetown in 1991, Ms. Gillen returned to New York to study at Stella Adler Studio. She later became an agent for a leading speakers bureau. During these years, Ms. Gillen was also a GMHC volunteer, assisting persons living with HIV/AIDS. In 1995 through 1996, Ms. Gillen embarked on transformational journeys to destinations in China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and India. The focal point of her travel was an extended volunteer mission in Calcutta with the Missionaries of Charity, where she worked in Mother Teresa’s home for thedying. Ms. Gillen returned to Georgetown for law studies by night, while interning for Hon. Marian Blank Horn of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims by day. In 1998, Ms. Gillen transferred to New York University’s School of Law. While at NYU, she worked at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP and was invited to join the firm as a litigation associate after earning her JD in 2000. Shortly after her second child and a move back to Long Island, Ms. Gillen joined Westerman Ball. Ms. Gillen resides in Rockville Centre with her husband and their young children. 


Questions: 

Q: Why should you be elected or re-elected? Please be specific. 

A: I am running for Nassau County Clerk because there has been a critical lack of leadership in this office for the past two decades and it is too important a position to be neglected. While many people may not be familiar with this office and the business it conducts, hundreds of millions of 
dollars pass through the County Clerk's office each year in connection with the services it renders. I will use my private sector work experience and work ethic to revitalize a stale and stagnant office. The Clerk's office desperately needs to be modernized and brought into the 21st century. As Clerk I will ensure that these advancements result in this office becoming a more user friendly place to do business. I will restore transparency which has been historically absent and I will work with my colleagues in government to improve service and increase efficiency while eliminating unnecessary waste and bringing spending under control. This will benefit all 
the residents of Nassau County.  

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Maureen C. O'Connell
(Party: Rep, Con, I, TRP) 

Biographical Info: 
Nassau County Clerk Maureen O'Connell began her professional career as a Registered Nurse at North Shore University Hospital where she designed and implemented the H.O.M.E. pilot program for home-based management of cancer patients. She holds a B.S. in Health Care Administration from St. Joseph's College and earned her Juris Doctor from St. John's University School of Law, receiving the American Jurisprudence Award in InsuranceLaw. In February 1998, Maureen was the first woman elected to the New York State Assembly to represent the 17th District. During her tenure as State Legislator, she served as the Ranking Member of the Assembly’s Health Committee and in 2001, chaired the statewide task force on the critical shortage of nurses. Maureen also served on the Assembly Judiciary, Insurance and Ethics Committees. She was a member of the Sexual Assault and Violence Education (S.A.V.E.) taskforce on sex crimes and violence against women and children. In November 2005, Maureen was elected countywide to the Office of Nassau County Clerk and re-elected to a second term in 2009. Under her direction, the County Clerk’s Office processed over a million backlogged records. With the assistance of state grants awarded to the office, Maureen implemented a conversion of paper land records to an electronic platform. Through implementation of the latest technology further modernizing the office, new initiatives have been developed including a pilot project for the electronic filing of documents for State Supreme Court actions, which is a model for other counties throughout New York State. In addition, the ability to accept other types of documents electronically, including land records, has been developed and is always being expanded upon. Maureen’s goal for the County Clerk’s Office is to continually enhance the level of service provided to the public within an efficient and secure manner. A lifelong resident of Nassau County, Maureen and her husband live in East Williston. 


Questions: 

Q: Why should you be elected or re-elected? Please be specific. 

A: I recognize the direct importance the Clerk’s Office plays in the lives of Nassau’s residents and how vital the services it provides are to the community. My career as an oncology nurse and service as a NY State Assemblywoman have provided me with invaluable insight and experience 
into the needs of people. Although this is an office responsible for matters of public record, I made it my commitment to provide professional and personal service to all visitors who seek assistance. I have met the changing needs of our residents as I work to bring this office’s resources to help our veterans, provide assistance to victims of Superstorm Sandy, and to 
implement the latest technology to improve the delivery of our services. My first year in office, I eliminated a multi-year backlog of real property filings. I have implemented electronic court and land record filings. I am running for re-election to continue my vision of cost-effective government and personalized service to our residents.

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