In her fair-minded article on the subject, Jessica Ablamsky quotes the opinions of assorted politicians about the shortcomings of Ed Mangano’s fiscal plan but a retrospective might be appropriate.
At the end the last century, during the tenure of the unlamented Gulotta Administration, financial matters went over the cliff in Nassau County.
Then with the election of Suozzi in ‘01, we were told that a new era of well being and fiscal rectitude had dawned on the county. Things began promisingly but as days became weeks, months and then years; murmurs of doubt began to emerge and the good cheer receded.
Yet the naysayers were called alarmists and we were assured all was well. Finally, the storm clouds gathered menacingly in ‘09 and next all hell broke loose.
Then Suozzi was tossed out amid much gnashing and finger pointing. So where were the NIFA wise men?
Like poor little Snow White, they were apparently in an extended coma.
Now Mangano is in office but the NIFA gang, roused from their slumber, assert that his budget is unbalanced.
According to these clairvoyants and over his vociferous protests, drastic action is required. So say hello to freezes, furloughs and layoffs.
Predictably, the loyal opposition hasn’t wasted any time ventilating their chagrin and disappointment.
And guess what? Mangano has now become the bogeyman in this little drama.
According to Mr. Abrams (D-Hempstead) “Mangano is partly to blame for the severity of the cuts due to his defiance of NIFA. Many of these proposals could have been implemented a year ago.”
Really? Extending that logic, had these proposals been implemented during prior administrations, all would be sweetness and light right now. Sure.
Next Mr. Wink (D-Roslyn) “questioned Mangano’s commitment to cutting the county workforce.”
In due course we’ll surely be told that all these comments are simply high-minded efforts to advance the process and hardly ax grinding partisanship.
Why of course. When the average voter refuses to accept incompetence and holds politicians to account, regardless of party affiliation, things will change in Nassau County. Otherwise anticipate the same old song year after year.
Tom Coffey
Herricks
