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Nassau Dems announce candidate to replace Schnirman as comptroller

Robert Pelaez

The Nassau County Democratic Committee has named a candidate to succeed Jack Schnirman as Nassau County comptroller in this year’s November general election.

Ryan Cronin, a partner at the New York branch of the national law firm Blank Rome LLP, put forward by the committee, according to a press release.

The county Democratic committee touted Cronin’s fiscal responsibilities during his tenure in the legal field, which included protecting victims of Bernie Madoff’s ponzi scheme.

“Right now, we need a Comptroller with a strong private sector background and track record of delivering for people in Nassau – and Ryan checks all the boxes,” said Jay Jacobs, chairman of the New York State and Nassau County Democratic Committee. “Whether he was helping Nassau’s underserved and underinsured gain access to healthcare, fighting to keep green spaces in his community, or representing victims of financial frauds, Ryan is the experienced watchdog that we need to keep the cost of living under control.”

Cronin, a Garden City resident, said his initial goal if elected as comptroller is to lower the fiscal burden of Nassau taxpayers due to the current hardships already caused by the lingering coronavirus pandemic.

Lowering the cost of living is essential to sustain Long Island as a great place to live and raise a family,” Cronin said. “Now, more than ever, we need elected officials committed to this objective. COVID-19 has upended the lives of our families, friends, neighbors, and businesses. As Comptroller, I will ensure Nassau County government works efficiently and eliminates corruption, fraud, and abuse.”

Cronin is seeking to replace Schnirman, a fellow Democrat who was elected to the comptroller position in 2017. Last week, Schnirman cited leaving politics to other people as a reason not to run for re-election.

Before being elected comptroller in 2017, Schnirman served as the Long Beach city manager for six years beginning in 2011. Although Schnirman touted efforts to increase government transparency, his tenure as comptroller included some blemishes.

A 2019 draft audit conducted by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli showed Schnirman was one of 10 former and current Long Beach employees who received a total of more than $500,000 in excessive separation payments.

Schnirman’s overpayments were a combination of accrued sick and vacation days that exceeded the amount allowed under city codes, resulting in his getting total payments of $108,000. Schnirman ultimately returned all of the $52,780 in overpayments he had received.

Schnirman highlighted the work that his office was able to do over the past four years, including the implementation of the Open Nassau Transparency Portal, which allows residents to view county expenditures, budgets, payroll and other governmental aspects. Schnirman’s office also recently released a three-year progress update, which showed that the comptroller’s office recovered more than $149 million for county taxpayers.

Schnirman also lauded his office’s work in reforming the county contract system and having the public more involved in the office’s daily operations.

“It is no secret that I love focusing on this work because even though it is nerdy, finding more efficient ways to deliver critical services, supporting our economic recovery, and closing our equity gaps makes a difference for our communities’ families,” Schnirman said.

Jacobs told Newsday that Schnirman had been mulling over the move to not run for re-election “for a while.”

“I fully understand his decision. I think he’s done a great job as comptroller, certainly has a record to be proud of as comptroller,” Jacobs told Newsday. “I wish him well and I look forward to working with him again. I don’t think his political career is at an end. I think he will be back in some capacity, and I look forward to that in the future.”

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran praised Schnirman’s modernization efforts.

“Jack spearheaded initiatives that modernized the office of comptroller,” Curran said. 

Though Schnirman’s fellow Democrats praised his work, Presiding Officer Rich Nicollelo (R-New Hyde Park) told Newsday that Schnirman was “compromised since the moment he got here, and what Nassau really needs is someone who can be a true watchdog, which he isn’t.”

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