Tom Suozzi is a man who thinks he is going places. He claims that he wants to be the first Italian American President. He ran for governor against a man who was unbeatable.
So it is no surprise that this week in a throwaway paper, Tom Suozzi put out an ad paid for by Tom Suozzi for governor. He claims it was a mistake.
Was it? Is Suozzi so focused on going places that he has lost track of everything happening in Nassau County? Can the man read? Does he read the NIFA report? Does he read the budget? Does he care about Nassau County or his own promotion?
The man who wants to fix Albany is the man who destroyed Nassau County. Destroyed our quality of living. Destroyed our tax base. Destroyed our reputation as the greatest suburban county in American.
Its time for a change.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
A New Series
We here at Savenassau want to take the opportunity to announce a new series. This week, Tom Suozzi released his new budget. We're going to go through it line by line and expose the fallacies it it.
First, let's look at his sales tax revenue projections. Tom projects that tax revenue will recover from a precipitous drop this year and last year. This recovery will allow him to continue to increase spending and balance the budget in time for his run for AG.
He's projecting a 7% bump in revenue. You look in your wallet and tell me-- will you spend more next year after the harrowing events of the last year? If you spend more, will you spend 7% more? Historic data since 2001 shows that there has NEVER been an increase of that magnitude. Ben Bernake predicts a slow recovery. Others predict a jobless recovery. They are trained economists. Tom has a degree in Bankrupting viable municipal entities. But even so, he knows better and predicts that the economy will go from 20mph in reverse to 150 in a second. All while Nassau continues to lose population due to his high taxes.
Yeah right. Get ready for another bump in tax rates if we don't wake up and vote this guy out.
First, let's look at his sales tax revenue projections. Tom projects that tax revenue will recover from a precipitous drop this year and last year. This recovery will allow him to continue to increase spending and balance the budget in time for his run for AG.
He's projecting a 7% bump in revenue. You look in your wallet and tell me-- will you spend more next year after the harrowing events of the last year? If you spend more, will you spend 7% more? Historic data since 2001 shows that there has NEVER been an increase of that magnitude. Ben Bernake predicts a slow recovery. Others predict a jobless recovery. They are trained economists. Tom has a degree in Bankrupting viable municipal entities. But even so, he knows better and predicts that the economy will go from 20mph in reverse to 150 in a second. All while Nassau continues to lose population due to his high taxes.
Yeah right. Get ready for another bump in tax rates if we don't wake up and vote this guy out.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
News 12
Today News12 ran a story about Tom Suozzi's budget. What an eye opening report. Long lines outside Health and Human Services. People taxed beyond recognition.
Does anyone think that Tom is done raising taxes? Ed was interviewed and exposed the truth. The invidious home heating oil tax is really a substitute for a 4.5 property tax. Call it a tax by any other name. Residents were interviewed and are fed up. They aren't idiots. They know the taxes haven't stopped.
Suozzi's game is up. Hide and seek only lasts for so long. People are so fed up with the state of the county and the state that they want change. Suozzi was so busy fixing Albany -- and failing -- that he let Nassau County break. Now it's time to elect someone who wants nothing more than to govern his home county.
Tom Suozzi's planning a run for something bigger and better. At least in his mind. What's wrong with being CE of Nassau County? To Tom, everything. He's got to be what he deserves to be in his own mind...king of the highest castle. To get there he's willing to sell Nassau County down the river. His commercials speak of events that happened long ago and in a different county.
Let's talk about the here and now. Tom Suozzi's got no plan for Nassau County. He's just got a plan to parachute out. His other commercials blame everything on Albany. You can't blame Nassau's disaster, made by Tom Suozzi, on Albany. No way. No can do.
Let's hold High Tax Tom accountable.
Does anyone think that Tom is done raising taxes? Ed was interviewed and exposed the truth. The invidious home heating oil tax is really a substitute for a 4.5 property tax. Call it a tax by any other name. Residents were interviewed and are fed up. They aren't idiots. They know the taxes haven't stopped.
Suozzi's game is up. Hide and seek only lasts for so long. People are so fed up with the state of the county and the state that they want change. Suozzi was so busy fixing Albany -- and failing -- that he let Nassau County break. Now it's time to elect someone who wants nothing more than to govern his home county.
Tom Suozzi's planning a run for something bigger and better. At least in his mind. What's wrong with being CE of Nassau County? To Tom, everything. He's got to be what he deserves to be in his own mind...king of the highest castle. To get there he's willing to sell Nassau County down the river. His commercials speak of events that happened long ago and in a different county.
Let's talk about the here and now. Tom Suozzi's got no plan for Nassau County. He's just got a plan to parachute out. His other commercials blame everything on Albany. You can't blame Nassau's disaster, made by Tom Suozzi, on Albany. No way. No can do.
Let's hold High Tax Tom accountable.
Monday, September 14, 2009
The Truth of Tom Suozzi's Budget
Let's take the Newsday article that touts Tom Suozzi's declarations of a no new tax budget apart. Line by line.
Cigarette taxes -- Tom wants to enact a massive and regressive tax on cigarettes. By the way, cigarette taxes are probably the dumbest way to raise money, since people immediately stop smoking.
"His plan includes a proposal, though still not approved by the state, for a $1.50 per pack tax on cigarettes sold in Nassau. It's expected to bring the county $16 million annually. "The supporting legislation has been drafted in the State Assembly, with a 'same-as' being drafted in the Senate," he added."
TRANSLATION -- Not going to happen. Silver's not going to come back into session for this. The Democrats in the Senate have no desire to help out Nassau County. Plus, Hiram Monserrate goes on trial today for an assault which he is, frankly, guilty as sin of. Once he's convicted he's out. Paterson will probably schedule a special election for November (election day?). That's a seat that will never flip to the GOP. But while the world turns, the budget deficit grows and grows. And the credit card's going to max out. Really soon.
"This percentage of increase is the smallest I can ever remember," Suozzi said Monday of the budget he must present to the county legislature Tuesday.
TRANSLATION -- I'm brilliant! I've managed to come up with a new tax that hides the amount that I'm soaking you people for! Oh yeah, and the reason it's so low is since I raised it so much last year!
Still, there is $75 million in labor obligations and state mandates that must be met.
TRANSLATION -- Where's the Visa, I mean the bond card? We can't afford to pay that 75 million so he's just going to bond it. We're going to have to pay it back when he's in Albany and long gone.
Suozzi's proposed budget, though, still relies on a modestly optimistic 1.75 percent increase in sales tax revenue, which is the county's largest income stream, accounting for nearly 40 percent of its budget. This year, it appears such revenue will have dropped between 6 and 8 percent from last year, county officials said.
TRANSLATION -- The deficit is going to be much much bigger, since people aren't shopping as much. So, this budget's a sham from the get go.
Cigarette taxes -- Tom wants to enact a massive and regressive tax on cigarettes. By the way, cigarette taxes are probably the dumbest way to raise money, since people immediately stop smoking.
"His plan includes a proposal, though still not approved by the state, for a $1.50 per pack tax on cigarettes sold in Nassau. It's expected to bring the county $16 million annually. "The supporting legislation has been drafted in the State Assembly, with a 'same-as' being drafted in the Senate," he added."
TRANSLATION -- Not going to happen. Silver's not going to come back into session for this. The Democrats in the Senate have no desire to help out Nassau County. Plus, Hiram Monserrate goes on trial today for an assault which he is, frankly, guilty as sin of. Once he's convicted he's out. Paterson will probably schedule a special election for November (election day?). That's a seat that will never flip to the GOP. But while the world turns, the budget deficit grows and grows. And the credit card's going to max out. Really soon.
"This percentage of increase is the smallest I can ever remember," Suozzi said Monday of the budget he must present to the county legislature Tuesday.
TRANSLATION -- I'm brilliant! I've managed to come up with a new tax that hides the amount that I'm soaking you people for! Oh yeah, and the reason it's so low is since I raised it so much last year!
Still, there is $75 million in labor obligations and state mandates that must be met.
TRANSLATION -- Where's the Visa, I mean the bond card? We can't afford to pay that 75 million so he's just going to bond it. We're going to have to pay it back when he's in Albany and long gone.
Suozzi's proposed budget, though, still relies on a modestly optimistic 1.75 percent increase in sales tax revenue, which is the county's largest income stream, accounting for nearly 40 percent of its budget. This year, it appears such revenue will have dropped between 6 and 8 percent from last year, county officials said.
TRANSLATION -- The deficit is going to be much much bigger, since people aren't shopping as much. So, this budget's a sham from the get go.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Expanding the Tax Base
If you've ever got a problem and need a solution, here's a piece of free advice. The solution probably isn't the easy way out. The panacea that glitters in the window like some kind of a North Star is most likely a mirage.
Tom Suozzi doesn't think so. In his youtube announcement of his run for reelection, he talked about expanding the tax base and then said that the solution to that was, miraculously, the Lighthouse!
That's the truth in Tom Land. I deal with reality. And in reality, one project is not going to solve everything. To expand the tax base we need a climate that encourages small businesses to grow. We need a climate that encourages entrepreneurs to come to Long Island and take advantage of our highly educated residents and highly skilled workers. We need a living condition that will allow them to start lives here.
And on that measure, Tom has failed miserably. He's raised taxes. Invented new ones. Made the tax system the most opaque and inaccurate in the country. Businesses hate uncertainty. And workers need a place to live. Suozzi's so distracted by his dreams of Albany and Life in the City that he's forgotten everything else.
I can assure you of one thing. Under Ed Mangano you're going to get real answers and straight talk from the man who knows the most about county government out of everyone in government. And you're going to get solutions, not press conferences.
Tom Suozzi doesn't think so. In his youtube announcement of his run for reelection, he talked about expanding the tax base and then said that the solution to that was, miraculously, the Lighthouse!
That's the truth in Tom Land. I deal with reality. And in reality, one project is not going to solve everything. To expand the tax base we need a climate that encourages small businesses to grow. We need a climate that encourages entrepreneurs to come to Long Island and take advantage of our highly educated residents and highly skilled workers. We need a living condition that will allow them to start lives here.
And on that measure, Tom has failed miserably. He's raised taxes. Invented new ones. Made the tax system the most opaque and inaccurate in the country. Businesses hate uncertainty. And workers need a place to live. Suozzi's so distracted by his dreams of Albany and Life in the City that he's forgotten everything else.
I can assure you of one thing. Under Ed Mangano you're going to get real answers and straight talk from the man who knows the most about county government out of everyone in government. And you're going to get solutions, not press conferences.
Suozzi on Property Taxes
The half truths and insinuations keep on coming from the guy at 1550 Franklin Avenue. Now, Mr. Suozzi says that after misleading the legislature and the people on the red light robocams that ticket people for making legal rights on red, that the real issue is property taxes. Don't believe me? Check out Newsday.
I agree. The issue is property taxes. The issue is the county's condition. And Suozzi has failed on all counts. He's too busy running for something, anything to get him out of Rome before the the town burns down.
Property taxes are through the roof. And High Tax Tom does nothing to stop it. He's raised them by almost 80%. He invented a new home energy tax. He told Levinson, the former assessor, to jack up the values of homes as a backdoor tax so that he wouldn't have to take the political hit for raising taxes even more.
Tell Tom to stop the grandstanding and run on his results. I think if you compare Tom's results -- eight years of taxes, bankruptcy and proliferate spending -- to Ed Mangano's record of creating jobs and genuine common sense government -- you'll find Tom and his scare tactics lacking.
I agree. The issue is property taxes. The issue is the county's condition. And Suozzi has failed on all counts. He's too busy running for something, anything to get him out of Rome before the the town burns down.
Property taxes are through the roof. And High Tax Tom does nothing to stop it. He's raised them by almost 80%. He invented a new home energy tax. He told Levinson, the former assessor, to jack up the values of homes as a backdoor tax so that he wouldn't have to take the political hit for raising taxes even more.
Tell Tom to stop the grandstanding and run on his results. I think if you compare Tom's results -- eight years of taxes, bankruptcy and proliferate spending -- to Ed Mangano's record of creating jobs and genuine common sense government -- you'll find Tom and his scare tactics lacking.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The Truth and Tom Suozzi, Part 2
I'd like to paste in an excerpt from Tom Suozzi's facebook page.
Tom Suozzi's never been very good at sitting still, but what he has been great at is finding solutions and solving problems. At a time when too many politicians make things worse by passing the buck, Suozzi does the opposite--he tackles our problems.
OK. If you say so. But the truth is somewhat different. Here's the truth.
Tom Suozzi is an expert at creating problems and blaming other people. Take a look at NIFA. I'm not going to deny that Nassau wasn't doing too well back in 2001. But Tom took a bailout from the state (a bailout that was a one shot deal; courtesy of the state's perilous condition and Tom Suozzi's friends like Craig Johnson destroying the once legendary power of the Republican Long Island delegation, it can't happen here again). Thing is, Tom dug a deeper hole. He took the 100 million. And he spent. And taxed. And borrowed. Don't believe me? Just get the NIFA report.
In a word -- if a solution was a tree and Tom was in a forest, he wouldn't be able to find one.
Tom also lies about his ability to take responsibility. I haven't seen him take one single shred of responsibility for Nassau County's condition. Instead he blames Tom Gulotta. Tom left office 8 years ago and hasn't been seen since. He blames the GOP legislative majority -- gone since 99. He blames the economy -- you can't pin over a hundred million on the sales tax. He claims that the Lighthouse is going to save Long Island unconditionally, all while doing nothing productive to bring the project off the drawing board other than bash the GOP. He and his lackey Dennenberg and Mejias blame American Water for raising rates -- a rate that their property taxes and energy tax are responsible for. He takes credit for stuff he has nothing to do with -- there was a press conference in Elmont where Suozzi and his traitor lapdog Nina Bastardi took credit for years of development work by John Ciotti, Joe Cairo, John DeGrace and Ed Ambrosino. Before that press conference, High Tax Tom hadn't been seen in Elmont since 2005. The Valley Stream/Franklin Square GOP organization is there EVERY DAY working with the local residents and businesses to develop the property.
Showhorse or workhorse? Results and answers or press conference?
You remember this in 6 weeks and vote the way you think will be best for the County. To me, there is only one answer.
Tom Suozzi's never been very good at sitting still, but what he has been great at is finding solutions and solving problems. At a time when too many politicians make things worse by passing the buck, Suozzi does the opposite--he tackles our problems.
OK. If you say so. But the truth is somewhat different. Here's the truth.
Tom Suozzi is an expert at creating problems and blaming other people. Take a look at NIFA. I'm not going to deny that Nassau wasn't doing too well back in 2001. But Tom took a bailout from the state (a bailout that was a one shot deal; courtesy of the state's perilous condition and Tom Suozzi's friends like Craig Johnson destroying the once legendary power of the Republican Long Island delegation, it can't happen here again). Thing is, Tom dug a deeper hole. He took the 100 million. And he spent. And taxed. And borrowed. Don't believe me? Just get the NIFA report.
In a word -- if a solution was a tree and Tom was in a forest, he wouldn't be able to find one.
Tom also lies about his ability to take responsibility. I haven't seen him take one single shred of responsibility for Nassau County's condition. Instead he blames Tom Gulotta. Tom left office 8 years ago and hasn't been seen since. He blames the GOP legislative majority -- gone since 99. He blames the economy -- you can't pin over a hundred million on the sales tax. He claims that the Lighthouse is going to save Long Island unconditionally, all while doing nothing productive to bring the project off the drawing board other than bash the GOP. He and his lackey Dennenberg and Mejias blame American Water for raising rates -- a rate that their property taxes and energy tax are responsible for. He takes credit for stuff he has nothing to do with -- there was a press conference in Elmont where Suozzi and his traitor lapdog Nina Bastardi took credit for years of development work by John Ciotti, Joe Cairo, John DeGrace and Ed Ambrosino. Before that press conference, High Tax Tom hadn't been seen in Elmont since 2005. The Valley Stream/Franklin Square GOP organization is there EVERY DAY working with the local residents and businesses to develop the property.
Showhorse or workhorse? Results and answers or press conference?
You remember this in 6 weeks and vote the way you think will be best for the County. To me, there is only one answer.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
All About the Benjamins!
The truth is out. Tom Suozzi's red light cameras were all about the money, all along. Suozzi's cameras ticket people for totally legal rights on red. Tom didn't say that he would be doing that. Even Democrats like Dennenberg claim that they thought the cameras would leave legal turns alone.
Guess it's all about the money, not the safety. And its time for government that works FOR the people, not one that nickels and dimes them for every last red cent.
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/drivers-seeing-red-after-receiving-robo-tickets-1.1425237
Guess it's all about the money, not the safety. And its time for government that works FOR the people, not one that nickels and dimes them for every last red cent.
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/drivers-seeing-red-after-receiving-robo-tickets-1.1425237
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Crime in the County
If you read Newsday its a steady stream of crime articles. Maybe the paper's not what it used to be. Or maybe the NCPD isn't what it used to be. Courtesy of course, of Tom Suozzi's messed up priorities.
High Tax Tom and his lapdog legislature, led by the wanna be CE Dave Mejias, have cut police services. They've cut the detectives. Now the Nassau County Police Department numbers several hundred fewer at its peak. And, as everyone knows, crime is rising. People seem to have forgotten how to drive within the law.
And yet, the police budget keeps going down. Where is all the money going? Tax revenue rolled in during the good times. Where did Tommy spend it? His race for governor? His 14 deputy county executives who average over a hundred thousand a year in salary? Sending work out of state and putting working people out of jobs?
Who knows? But we need a change. We need to elect a TAX REVOLT ticket of real change before our county ends up like the other county with the worst bond rating in the country...Detroit.
High Tax Tom and his lapdog legislature, led by the wanna be CE Dave Mejias, have cut police services. They've cut the detectives. Now the Nassau County Police Department numbers several hundred fewer at its peak. And, as everyone knows, crime is rising. People seem to have forgotten how to drive within the law.
And yet, the police budget keeps going down. Where is all the money going? Tax revenue rolled in during the good times. Where did Tommy spend it? His race for governor? His 14 deputy county executives who average over a hundred thousand a year in salary? Sending work out of state and putting working people out of jobs?
Who knows? But we need a change. We need to elect a TAX REVOLT ticket of real change before our county ends up like the other county with the worst bond rating in the country...Detroit.
More Half Truths from High Tax Tom
Well, not exactly. In this case, the half truths are from the head of a union that just endorsed him. Once again, we're seeing that High Tax Tom is getting the endorsements of his fat cat buddies at the top of the food chain. Almost a hundred union members and working men showed up tonight at a fundraiser for Ed Mangano. I doubt five real working men would show up anywhere for Tom Suozzi.
High Tax Tom has been a plague to the working men of Long Island. First of all, they can't hardly afford to live here anymore. Not after the taxes that give Taxin' Tommy his name. Second, I've seen ZERO construction on the roads. I mean, come on. Our roads are literally falling apart. When I got home today, my lower back hurt from the wild ride I'd had over some of the potholed roads Tom refuses to fix or pave. Hell, Obama gave him a gift -- stimulus money! That was supposed to be used to rebuild infrastructure and repave the roads. Instead, Taxin Tom used it to plug his budget so he can go around claiming to have 'fixed Nassau.' Keep in mind that Tom is the same guy who claimed that his botched Fix Albany campaign was the reason that Senator Bruno, Speaker Silver and Governor Pataki were able to pass a budget on time. The man has no shame.
Anyway, this is a quote from Suozzi's website.
“We’ve had bumps in the road,” said John Durso, president of the Long Island Federation of Labor. “The truth is any county executive worth his salt is going to be tough. What we don’t want is someone who won’t listen to our needs and tries to take advantage of labor. Tom’s never done that.”
Translation -- the CE is so tough that he called me and put the screws to me. I want to say he's screwed labor over, but I'm a boss. Bosses never get screwed. The real working me? The hell do I know about them?
Regarding Suozzi's mass layoffs of his members -- “It wasn’t an easy time, but it was worked out,” Durso said.
Translation -- Who cares? I'm sure Tom will take care of me when he is up in Albany. Workers? They just pay the dues.
“The Lighthouse is a major concern for labor,” Durso said. “It’ll bring jobs during construction and after it’s built. The Lighthouse would be a key economic boost, as would the revitalization of Glen Cove.”
Translation -- I don't know what this means. High Tax Tom can't do anything without mentioning the Lighthouse and it's phantom benefits, so I'll throw it in. And Glen Cove is a thriving city, made so by Taxin' Tom himself. The fact that he bankrupted the place and made it the most debt ridden city of its size in America is not relevant. But then again, Mr. Durso, if it was so thriving why do we need to revitilize it? Oh and one more thing...Ed Mangano has a record of creating jobs and working with local governments, but I don't care. Tom said in his press conference that the lighthouse is important and that he supports it, so it must be true.
Durso did that “Ed Mangano is a good man and a good friend and we work well togheter on a number of issues. But Tom’s an incumbant and we’re comfortable with the work we’ve done.”
Translation -- Ed's really the man for labor and working people since he cares and listens and doesn't throw a 2 year old child's temper tantrum when he doesn't get his way. And Tom is an incumbent so I have to support him since if I don't I might get 'hurt.'
Mr. Durso -- you are a disgrace to the working men of Long Island.
High Tax Tom has been a plague to the working men of Long Island. First of all, they can't hardly afford to live here anymore. Not after the taxes that give Taxin' Tommy his name. Second, I've seen ZERO construction on the roads. I mean, come on. Our roads are literally falling apart. When I got home today, my lower back hurt from the wild ride I'd had over some of the potholed roads Tom refuses to fix or pave. Hell, Obama gave him a gift -- stimulus money! That was supposed to be used to rebuild infrastructure and repave the roads. Instead, Taxin Tom used it to plug his budget so he can go around claiming to have 'fixed Nassau.' Keep in mind that Tom is the same guy who claimed that his botched Fix Albany campaign was the reason that Senator Bruno, Speaker Silver and Governor Pataki were able to pass a budget on time. The man has no shame.
Anyway, this is a quote from Suozzi's website.
“We’ve had bumps in the road,” said John Durso, president of the Long Island Federation of Labor. “The truth is any county executive worth his salt is going to be tough. What we don’t want is someone who won’t listen to our needs and tries to take advantage of labor. Tom’s never done that.”
Translation -- the CE is so tough that he called me and put the screws to me. I want to say he's screwed labor over, but I'm a boss. Bosses never get screwed. The real working me? The hell do I know about them?
Regarding Suozzi's mass layoffs of his members -- “It wasn’t an easy time, but it was worked out,” Durso said.
Translation -- Who cares? I'm sure Tom will take care of me when he is up in Albany. Workers? They just pay the dues.
“The Lighthouse is a major concern for labor,” Durso said. “It’ll bring jobs during construction and after it’s built. The Lighthouse would be a key economic boost, as would the revitalization of Glen Cove.”
Translation -- I don't know what this means. High Tax Tom can't do anything without mentioning the Lighthouse and it's phantom benefits, so I'll throw it in. And Glen Cove is a thriving city, made so by Taxin' Tom himself. The fact that he bankrupted the place and made it the most debt ridden city of its size in America is not relevant. But then again, Mr. Durso, if it was so thriving why do we need to revitilize it? Oh and one more thing...Ed Mangano has a record of creating jobs and working with local governments, but I don't care. Tom said in his press conference that the lighthouse is important and that he supports it, so it must be true.
Durso did that “Ed Mangano is a good man and a good friend and we work well togheter on a number of issues. But Tom’s an incumbant and we’re comfortable with the work we’ve done.”
Translation -- Ed's really the man for labor and working people since he cares and listens and doesn't throw a 2 year old child's temper tantrum when he doesn't get his way. And Tom is an incumbent so I have to support him since if I don't I might get 'hurt.'
Mr. Durso -- you are a disgrace to the working men of Long Island.
Tax Abatements for Donations
Tom Suozzi ran eight years ago as a reformer. He ran as the anti machine. He ran as an honest man, a CPA who would fix Nassau. But how has it turned out?
Tom Suozzi has turned into the worst machine politician since the halcyon days of Boss Plunkitt. We've chroniciled pay to play in Nassau. But now its even worse than I thought.
I just thought Tom Suozzi has been giving contracts to people who were big contributors, or taking contributions after the contracts are given. But now, we find out that for a $50,000 contribution, Tom Suozzi will give you a tax abaatement courtesy of the Nassau Industrial Development Agency.
What's a tax abatement? A tax abatement basically give a piece of property a break. It either removes you from the tax rolls entirely, or gives you a much reduced rate. If you're renting an apartment in a complex with an abatement, as this contributor in question was, your tenants can save a small fortune. If you develop a factory or office building, overhead will plumment by several thousand dollars.
But the tax burden just shifts. Instead of collecting the money from the property in question, you're going to have to make up the difference with higher tax rates for other properties. So, everyone else pays a little more to pay for the abatement.
Translation -- High Tax Tom is taxing the rest of us to fund his own ambitions. High Tax Tom needs those $50000 campaign checks. He's willing to tax the rest of the county to get there. Tax abatements are one of the most sought after things that the county has to offer. And Suozzi is going around giving these things out for free to people who support him?
Its time that we get government for the people and not for the contributors. We need to elect Ed Mangano as County Executive.
Tom Suozzi has turned into the worst machine politician since the halcyon days of Boss Plunkitt. We've chroniciled pay to play in Nassau. But now its even worse than I thought.
I just thought Tom Suozzi has been giving contracts to people who were big contributors, or taking contributions after the contracts are given. But now, we find out that for a $50,000 contribution, Tom Suozzi will give you a tax abaatement courtesy of the Nassau Industrial Development Agency.
What's a tax abatement? A tax abatement basically give a piece of property a break. It either removes you from the tax rolls entirely, or gives you a much reduced rate. If you're renting an apartment in a complex with an abatement, as this contributor in question was, your tenants can save a small fortune. If you develop a factory or office building, overhead will plumment by several thousand dollars.
But the tax burden just shifts. Instead of collecting the money from the property in question, you're going to have to make up the difference with higher tax rates for other properties. So, everyone else pays a little more to pay for the abatement.
Translation -- High Tax Tom is taxing the rest of us to fund his own ambitions. High Tax Tom needs those $50000 campaign checks. He's willing to tax the rest of the county to get there. Tax abatements are one of the most sought after things that the county has to offer. And Suozzi is going around giving these things out for free to people who support him?
Its time that we get government for the people and not for the contributors. We need to elect Ed Mangano as County Executive.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Taxing Tom's Trifecta
If you're a government, and you're in a jam, you've got three options. Pick one and swallow your poison. Bailouts, Bonds and Taxes. That's the trifecta.
Usually you pick one or two. Usually, you tax and bond in comnbination with service cuts and fee hikes. Tom did those two. But he also got a bailout from the state.
So let's get this straight -- he got a hundred million dollar bailout. He blew it. He raised taxes and invented new ones. And then that wasn't enough. So he went out and spent millions more on the credit cards (bonds).
When does it stop? The hole we're in is deep. And unless we get some real change now, we're never going to get out of the hole.
Usually you pick one or two. Usually, you tax and bond in comnbination with service cuts and fee hikes. Tom did those two. But he also got a bailout from the state.
So let's get this straight -- he got a hundred million dollar bailout. He blew it. He raised taxes and invented new ones. And then that wasn't enough. So he went out and spent millions more on the credit cards (bonds).
When does it stop? The hole we're in is deep. And unless we get some real change now, we're never going to get out of the hole.
More Democratic Hypocrisy
Tom Suozzi's two good friends, Dennenberg and David Mejias, held a press conference condemning water rate increases as taxes on necessity.
Hmm. Maybe the water rate hike is due to the ten billion in taxes that Dave Paterson and Tom Suozzi enacted earlier in the year. Maybe they had to raise rates due to the 2.5% home energy tax.
I think its time we send a message. Tom, tell your friends to stop the smoke and mirrors. Focus on what is at hand. The 80% property tax hike since you took office and the insidious 2.5% energy sales tax.
Focus on YOUR BUSINESS, NOT EVERYONE else's
Hmm. Maybe the water rate hike is due to the ten billion in taxes that Dave Paterson and Tom Suozzi enacted earlier in the year. Maybe they had to raise rates due to the 2.5% home energy tax.
I think its time we send a message. Tom, tell your friends to stop the smoke and mirrors. Focus on what is at hand. The 80% property tax hike since you took office and the insidious 2.5% energy sales tax.
Focus on YOUR BUSINESS, NOT EVERYONE else's
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Suozzi's Shell Game
The shell game is a famous con trick where the con artist hides the shell through deft manuevers and slights of the hand. Tom Suozzi's gotten to be a master of the shell game. And he's using YOUR money to play it.
Suozzi's taking money from one account, moving it to the other and getting on the soapbox and claiming 'I FIXED NASSAU.' But we know that isnt true. And here's his game.
Here's an example. Suozzi tried to lay off all of the police mechanics and the hire them back at a lower rate. That's illegal and failed. So, he simply took the money from their budget, and moved it somewhere else. That's got to be illegal too, but the bottom line is simple. The money is being moved around. No one knows where its going. Is it going to fund the performance bonuses for county employees who spend their time handling the Suozzi machine political business (as detailed in the Morganstern case)? Or is it going to fund other stuff, like the 400 something patronage employees larding the payroll?
It makes you think. The county's in bad shape. Yet Tom's shifting money around trying to prevent disaster. How is that for transparency and open government? Suozzi needed money a few years ago, so he told the Assessor, his good friend Harvey Levinson to jack out assessments. So now, if you're living in a house worth 500k, the county thinks its worth over 700k! Amazing, isn't it.
But I'm truly worried about the next big thing. Consolidation. Suozzi's sitting on a bankrupt county. He needs money. When you're desperate and attention hungry, you start trolling around for money.
Suozzi thinks he's found a nice chunk of change in something called the special districts. Special districts are something that make Long Island special. Home rule. Local control. Direct democracy.
The special districts include villages. Villages control local zoning, and are staffed by none other than local residents who care about the community. Villages bring goverment closer to the people.
The special districts include the firehouses that form an integral part of the community. Suozzi and his friend in Albany, Pedro Espada and David Paterson, want to close those down too and merge them to form super districts. Super districts won't be able to offer the same localized and individual responses that we need in Long Island.
And finally there are sanitation districts. Suozzi claims, without any evidence to support him, that they are bastions of waste and patronage. He might as well claim that they are staffed by unicorns and Abominable snowmen. Special districts are staffed by hard working people. People who care about the community. In fact, they do their jobs much more efficiency and at a much lower cost than the county itself.
Suozzi or the special districts? I chose the special districts in a heartbeat. I chose the dedicated employees, rather than the embittered and angry County employees who go through the motions while cursing their bosses for laying them off and slashing their salaries to the bone. I chose the dedicated commissioners -- who for a small salary devote hours of their time to their jobs -- over a full time spoiled brat of a CE who devotes 98% of his time to touring the state selling snake oil, raising money from contractors and groveling for a new job rather than 100% of his time running the county he is paid to run.
This November, let's send a message to Taxing Tom Suozzi. We want home rule and local services, not pay to play, unbridled ambition, misuse of government resources, cronyism and taxation. Let's elect a real executive -- Ed Mangano.
Suozzi's taking money from one account, moving it to the other and getting on the soapbox and claiming 'I FIXED NASSAU.' But we know that isnt true. And here's his game.
Here's an example. Suozzi tried to lay off all of the police mechanics and the hire them back at a lower rate. That's illegal and failed. So, he simply took the money from their budget, and moved it somewhere else. That's got to be illegal too, but the bottom line is simple. The money is being moved around. No one knows where its going. Is it going to fund the performance bonuses for county employees who spend their time handling the Suozzi machine political business (as detailed in the Morganstern case)? Or is it going to fund other stuff, like the 400 something patronage employees larding the payroll?
It makes you think. The county's in bad shape. Yet Tom's shifting money around trying to prevent disaster. How is that for transparency and open government? Suozzi needed money a few years ago, so he told the Assessor, his good friend Harvey Levinson to jack out assessments. So now, if you're living in a house worth 500k, the county thinks its worth over 700k! Amazing, isn't it.
But I'm truly worried about the next big thing. Consolidation. Suozzi's sitting on a bankrupt county. He needs money. When you're desperate and attention hungry, you start trolling around for money.
Suozzi thinks he's found a nice chunk of change in something called the special districts. Special districts are something that make Long Island special. Home rule. Local control. Direct democracy.
The special districts include villages. Villages control local zoning, and are staffed by none other than local residents who care about the community. Villages bring goverment closer to the people.
The special districts include the firehouses that form an integral part of the community. Suozzi and his friend in Albany, Pedro Espada and David Paterson, want to close those down too and merge them to form super districts. Super districts won't be able to offer the same localized and individual responses that we need in Long Island.
And finally there are sanitation districts. Suozzi claims, without any evidence to support him, that they are bastions of waste and patronage. He might as well claim that they are staffed by unicorns and Abominable snowmen. Special districts are staffed by hard working people. People who care about the community. In fact, they do their jobs much more efficiency and at a much lower cost than the county itself.
Suozzi or the special districts? I chose the special districts in a heartbeat. I chose the dedicated employees, rather than the embittered and angry County employees who go through the motions while cursing their bosses for laying them off and slashing their salaries to the bone. I chose the dedicated commissioners -- who for a small salary devote hours of their time to their jobs -- over a full time spoiled brat of a CE who devotes 98% of his time to touring the state selling snake oil, raising money from contractors and groveling for a new job rather than 100% of his time running the county he is paid to run.
This November, let's send a message to Taxing Tom Suozzi. We want home rule and local services, not pay to play, unbridled ambition, misuse of government resources, cronyism and taxation. Let's elect a real executive -- Ed Mangano.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The Ambition and the Ego
There's nothing wrong with ambition. It's part of the American Way. Ambition has led millions of people to come to America, take a menial job and work their way up. It's led to the American Dream of Long Island -- a house of your own, a car and some space for your family.
But Tom Suozzi's version of ambition goes well beyond your normal dose. His ambition, combined with his mammoth ego, are the main threat facing Nassau County. His toxic brew could be the thing that destroys the American Dream of Long Island.
An ego in search of an office. That's what they call Suozzi. So says Fred Dicker, a prominent Albany reporter widely known as the premier political reporter north of Bear Mountain. I've been following Suozzi's career for years. Frankly, I think Dicker was maybe too moderate in his characterization of Tom Suozzi.
Ambition is a good thing. But Suozzi has taken your standard ambition and put it in overdrive. The people who've suffered are the citizens of Nassau County. While Suozzi ran for governor in 2006, his subordinates took over the day to day management of the county. And without a strong executive, everything fell apart. The deficit, which had been wiped out, came back with a vengeance. This time, its worse than anytime under Tom Gulotta. And the State, which is pretty much insolvent too, cannot come in with a hundred million dollar bailout. Thanks in part to a Suozzi ally on the north shore, our Long Island Senate delegation doesn't have that juice anymore.
Running for governor costs money. A lot fo money. In 2006, Suozzi ran against a well funded and independently wealthy man. Spitzer had money, and was willing to spend it. Suozzi needed to match Spitzer. Sure, he could raise money from people on Wall Street who hated the guy, but that was a drop in the bucket. Tom's Dad has made millions off the broken tax cert system that Suozzi refuses to fix, but even those millions (which Joe Suozzi shares with his partners, including none other than Basil Paterson, father of David) couldn't bankroll a run against Spitzer.
So, Suozzi did something that he really shouldn't have done. He began to shake down contractors. I've covered the five digit donations that Suozzi shook out of big time contractors in past posts. Everyone gets money from contractors; but Suozzi turned it into an institutionalized shakedown racket. Pay to play is alive and well in Nassau County.
But that wasn't enough. Suozzi then began to lard the public payroll with patronage employees. These guys were hired for one reason -- to work for Tom's political ambitions. If you worked (check out the LI Press article on the Morganstern case), you got to keep your job and maybe get a raise or a performance bonus! Let the good times roll!
And Suozzi went on seeking higher office. He took over a state panel on property taxes, and appropriated a longtime Republican battle cry of tax freezes and tax caps. Then he came home from his upstate swing and jacked up property taxes at home. He didn't bat an eyelash.
Suozzi's eight years in office have been a disaster for the citizens of Nassau. It's time for a change. A change we can afford.
But Tom Suozzi's version of ambition goes well beyond your normal dose. His ambition, combined with his mammoth ego, are the main threat facing Nassau County. His toxic brew could be the thing that destroys the American Dream of Long Island.
An ego in search of an office. That's what they call Suozzi. So says Fred Dicker, a prominent Albany reporter widely known as the premier political reporter north of Bear Mountain. I've been following Suozzi's career for years. Frankly, I think Dicker was maybe too moderate in his characterization of Tom Suozzi.
Ambition is a good thing. But Suozzi has taken your standard ambition and put it in overdrive. The people who've suffered are the citizens of Nassau County. While Suozzi ran for governor in 2006, his subordinates took over the day to day management of the county. And without a strong executive, everything fell apart. The deficit, which had been wiped out, came back with a vengeance. This time, its worse than anytime under Tom Gulotta. And the State, which is pretty much insolvent too, cannot come in with a hundred million dollar bailout. Thanks in part to a Suozzi ally on the north shore, our Long Island Senate delegation doesn't have that juice anymore.
Running for governor costs money. A lot fo money. In 2006, Suozzi ran against a well funded and independently wealthy man. Spitzer had money, and was willing to spend it. Suozzi needed to match Spitzer. Sure, he could raise money from people on Wall Street who hated the guy, but that was a drop in the bucket. Tom's Dad has made millions off the broken tax cert system that Suozzi refuses to fix, but even those millions (which Joe Suozzi shares with his partners, including none other than Basil Paterson, father of David) couldn't bankroll a run against Spitzer.
So, Suozzi did something that he really shouldn't have done. He began to shake down contractors. I've covered the five digit donations that Suozzi shook out of big time contractors in past posts. Everyone gets money from contractors; but Suozzi turned it into an institutionalized shakedown racket. Pay to play is alive and well in Nassau County.
But that wasn't enough. Suozzi then began to lard the public payroll with patronage employees. These guys were hired for one reason -- to work for Tom's political ambitions. If you worked (check out the LI Press article on the Morganstern case), you got to keep your job and maybe get a raise or a performance bonus! Let the good times roll!
And Suozzi went on seeking higher office. He took over a state panel on property taxes, and appropriated a longtime Republican battle cry of tax freezes and tax caps. Then he came home from his upstate swing and jacked up property taxes at home. He didn't bat an eyelash.
Suozzi's eight years in office have been a disaster for the citizens of Nassau. It's time for a change. A change we can afford.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Desperate Times, Desperate Flyers
Today, Spin Cycle on Newsday had a stunning report. The Democrats, who after eight years of total control of County Government would by common sense be touting their accomplishments, have come out with a new flyer. It ties Chris Browne, a young Republican who was probably in law school back when Gulotta reigned supreme, to the Tom Gulotta machine.
I couldn't stop laughing. I saw the flyer last week. Browne has NOTHING to do with the Gulotta era. Neither does Ed Mangano. And the Suozzi corruption and pay to play makes whatever may have gone on during the Gulotta years look like kisses.
The real shark is Tom Suozzi. Eight years ago, he got a gift from the state that bailed him out. Now, he's dug a deeper hole. And there's no one to save him.
Tom isn't stupid. He knows what is happening. So he's touring the state promoting a surrealistic tax cap -- a cap that is ironic considering that Suozzi has taxed Nassau into literal submission.
His goal is to get out of here. He wants to get something statewide. So rather than focus on the county's problems he is focusing on his ambitions and propping up David Paterson.
But we need more than that. Tom Suozzi has been gorging himself on Nassau County like a he's shark and we're the bait. It's time the bait got together and turned on this shark and shows him who's boss.
I couldn't stop laughing. I saw the flyer last week. Browne has NOTHING to do with the Gulotta era. Neither does Ed Mangano. And the Suozzi corruption and pay to play makes whatever may have gone on during the Gulotta years look like kisses.
The real shark is Tom Suozzi. Eight years ago, he got a gift from the state that bailed him out. Now, he's dug a deeper hole. And there's no one to save him.
Tom isn't stupid. He knows what is happening. So he's touring the state promoting a surrealistic tax cap -- a cap that is ironic considering that Suozzi has taxed Nassau into literal submission.
His goal is to get out of here. He wants to get something statewide. So rather than focus on the county's problems he is focusing on his ambitions and propping up David Paterson.
But we need more than that. Tom Suozzi has been gorging himself on Nassau County like a he's shark and we're the bait. It's time the bait got together and turned on this shark and shows him who's boss.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Hired Guns and Grassroots Volunteers
Come and spend a day in the Ed Mangano for County Executive office. There are no paid consultants. There are no paid workers. Everyone there is a volunteer. Everyone there believes in Ed. And no one there is making a cent off this election.
Everyone, from the campaign manager to the people answering the phone, loves Nassau County and wants to live here. Most have spent our lives in Nassau. Some were born here, others came when they were young or older. All are living here by choice. And all want to keep living in Nassau County.
That's why the people working for Ed are spending their days in the office. Everyone there has 'better' things to do, whether it's work at the day job that pays the bills, work on other campaigns, look for a job or sit at the beach. But go in any day and the office is hopping.
It's love for the county that's driving Ed's campaign. It's belief in Ed Mangano and his message of change that we can afford. It's the belief that Ed is Nassau County's last hope to remain solvent and a good place to live.
And the people in the office couldn't be more different than each other. There are people from Oyster Bay; others from Freeport. There are people from Woodmere and others from Hicksville, Hempstead and Levittown. There are African Americans, Irishmen, Italians, Jews and Hispanics toiling side by side for Ed. It's truly a homegrown campaign.
Many are Republicans. Others are Democrats. Some are independents. Some are registered conservatives. Others are Republicans who long ago abandoned the party of their heritage for political apathy. Many are union members and others are environmentalist members of the Sierra Club. But everyone is going all out for Ed not because their job depends on it, but because they believe in him. Many are ex Suozzi supporters who turned after seeing the County destroyed around them in the name of vanity and pride.
Take a look at Suozzi's campaign. He's hiring million dollar firms from the city. He's hauling in advisors from Washington with national experience. He's probably sitting in One West monitoring the news services wondering where the next vacancy is. Will it be in Washington, with another Senate seat or Cabinet office coming open? Or will it be in Albany, when Cuomo runs for governor? Will it be the job Ravitch had until last week? Or will it be a position of unrivaled power...on the bench?
His campaign is fueled by money raised by county employees on county time (check out the LI Press). His bankroll is aimed not at the county but at some amorphous higher office in Albany or Washington (check out last week's Times Union and last month's Capitol newspaper).
Sit down and think about. Do you want your county governed by people who don't care about your home and only care about the Next Big Move? Or do you want a county governed by people who want nothing more than to live in Nassau County and enjoy their lives with their friends and neighbors?
Think about it and put aside your biases and preexisting opinions. Read NIFA report and think about it. I think you'll come to the same decision I made 6 months ago.
Everyone, from the campaign manager to the people answering the phone, loves Nassau County and wants to live here. Most have spent our lives in Nassau. Some were born here, others came when they were young or older. All are living here by choice. And all want to keep living in Nassau County.
That's why the people working for Ed are spending their days in the office. Everyone there has 'better' things to do, whether it's work at the day job that pays the bills, work on other campaigns, look for a job or sit at the beach. But go in any day and the office is hopping.
It's love for the county that's driving Ed's campaign. It's belief in Ed Mangano and his message of change that we can afford. It's the belief that Ed is Nassau County's last hope to remain solvent and a good place to live.
And the people in the office couldn't be more different than each other. There are people from Oyster Bay; others from Freeport. There are people from Woodmere and others from Hicksville, Hempstead and Levittown. There are African Americans, Irishmen, Italians, Jews and Hispanics toiling side by side for Ed. It's truly a homegrown campaign.
Many are Republicans. Others are Democrats. Some are independents. Some are registered conservatives. Others are Republicans who long ago abandoned the party of their heritage for political apathy. Many are union members and others are environmentalist members of the Sierra Club. But everyone is going all out for Ed not because their job depends on it, but because they believe in him. Many are ex Suozzi supporters who turned after seeing the County destroyed around them in the name of vanity and pride.
Take a look at Suozzi's campaign. He's hiring million dollar firms from the city. He's hauling in advisors from Washington with national experience. He's probably sitting in One West monitoring the news services wondering where the next vacancy is. Will it be in Washington, with another Senate seat or Cabinet office coming open? Or will it be in Albany, when Cuomo runs for governor? Will it be the job Ravitch had until last week? Or will it be a position of unrivaled power...on the bench?
His campaign is fueled by money raised by county employees on county time (check out the LI Press). His bankroll is aimed not at the county but at some amorphous higher office in Albany or Washington (check out last week's Times Union and last month's Capitol newspaper).
Sit down and think about. Do you want your county governed by people who don't care about your home and only care about the Next Big Move? Or do you want a county governed by people who want nothing more than to live in Nassau County and enjoy their lives with their friends and neighbors?
Think about it and put aside your biases and preexisting opinions. Read NIFA report and think about it. I think you'll come to the same decision I made 6 months ago.
Smoke and Mirrors Again
I was having lunch this week in a pizza joint, and was talking to someone about the problems facing Nassau County. Namely the $150 million deficit and Tom Suozzi's utter lack of action to combat it other than press conferences. So, someone overheard me and began to parrot the Suozzi line of the Lighthouse!
Of course, Ed Mangano supports the Lighthouse, and under Ed's leadership the Lighthouse would actually come into being. Ed believes strongly in working with local government, instead of bashing it and holding incessant press conferences about some miracle cure. But, let's be realistic here.
Nassau County is in serious financial straights. A deficit that will soon be over $200 million -- plus legal costs and settlements from the lawsuits Tom's political machine has generated -- can't be fixed by one project. Even a project like Levittown would have a hard fixing Nassau right now. Besides, most of the revenue from the Lighthouse would go to the local municipalities (Uniondale), unless Suozzi plans to abolish those villages and fire districts to steal that revenue to patch his own sinking ship.
What we need is real reform. Structural reform. An end to the hundred million in tax refunds that serve only the purpose of making a few lawyers on the North Shore wealthy beyond belief. An end to backdoor tax increases. Transparency and honesty from our leaders. Leaders who care about Nassau County, not their own ambition.
Tom Suozzi has dug a hole deeper than most mines. He took $100 million from New York State and squandered it. And no, this current hole is far too deep to fix with a miracle project.
We need Ed Mangano, a man who cares about Nassau County and isn't about to desert Nassau for greener pastures in the time of greatest need.
If you want to get involved in Ed's campaign, give the office a call at 605 0245
Of course, Ed Mangano supports the Lighthouse, and under Ed's leadership the Lighthouse would actually come into being. Ed believes strongly in working with local government, instead of bashing it and holding incessant press conferences about some miracle cure. But, let's be realistic here.
Nassau County is in serious financial straights. A deficit that will soon be over $200 million -- plus legal costs and settlements from the lawsuits Tom's political machine has generated -- can't be fixed by one project. Even a project like Levittown would have a hard fixing Nassau right now. Besides, most of the revenue from the Lighthouse would go to the local municipalities (Uniondale), unless Suozzi plans to abolish those villages and fire districts to steal that revenue to patch his own sinking ship.
What we need is real reform. Structural reform. An end to the hundred million in tax refunds that serve only the purpose of making a few lawyers on the North Shore wealthy beyond belief. An end to backdoor tax increases. Transparency and honesty from our leaders. Leaders who care about Nassau County, not their own ambition.
Tom Suozzi has dug a hole deeper than most mines. He took $100 million from New York State and squandered it. And no, this current hole is far too deep to fix with a miracle project.
We need Ed Mangano, a man who cares about Nassau County and isn't about to desert Nassau for greener pastures in the time of greatest need.
If you want to get involved in Ed's campaign, give the office a call at 605 0245
Friday, August 21, 2009
BIG NEWS!
Today in Newsday there was news that could change the course of the race. Ed Mangano and several other Republican candidates, including Christian Browne, Joe Belesi and Howard Kopel, filed thousands of signatures to start a new party line -- the Tax Revolt Party.
First I'd like to explain why the campaigns did this and what hurdles they went through. Due to Suozzi's close association with Conservative Party Chairman Roger Bogsted, Ed and Chris Browne, both fiscal conservatives with a track record of endorsements, were denied. Instead the Conservatives endorsed Scannel, a left wing Democratic legislator who has been complicit in the record tax increases that are killing the county in the Browne race. In something that would be illegal in New York City, Bogsted rammed through an endorsement of a candidate who literally WORKS FOR Tom Suozzi in the CE race. He did this four years ago against Greg Peterson -- endorse someone other than the GOP candidate and drain votes from the Republicans.
But this time, that wouldn't work. A massive outpouring of grassroots support for Ed and Chris ensued. Conservatives and Republicans and Democrats outraged by this travesty of democracy came up with an idea -- a new party to support Ed and Chris.
Getting a line isn't easy. You have to get thousands of signatures and survive challenges. And your petition gatherers have to have not circulated any party petitions, or be a notary. That knocks out most of the people who typically circulate party petitions, since your average committeeman is a simple working person or small businessman who hasn't taken the notary test. You need to find hundreds of people who haven't signed a prior petition (again, knocking out most of the regulars and usual suspects) and convince them to sign something that they probably don't understand and have no idea what it's for.
In short, it's almost an impossible test. But the grassroots effort was there. People got out and banged on doors. People took up the mantle of Tax Revolt and begged and cajoled for signatures.
The response was, to say the least, overwhelming. A spontaneous outpouring of support for the Tax Revolt Party has led to thousands of middle class and working people signing the petitions. They've learned more about Ed and the Tax Revolt. They've investigated Suozzi and his bossist ways. Now the shoe that Suozzi used to sprint to office is on the other foot.
Suozzi is getting nervous. He's hiring consulting firms and throwing fits. He knows he's in the Red Zone. Now, it's beyond that. He's in serious danger of losing his election.
But to make that happen we need your help. Give the office a call at 605 0245 and ask how you can help Ed Mangano take back Nassau County.
He's really our last hope...
First I'd like to explain why the campaigns did this and what hurdles they went through. Due to Suozzi's close association with Conservative Party Chairman Roger Bogsted, Ed and Chris Browne, both fiscal conservatives with a track record of endorsements, were denied. Instead the Conservatives endorsed Scannel, a left wing Democratic legislator who has been complicit in the record tax increases that are killing the county in the Browne race. In something that would be illegal in New York City, Bogsted rammed through an endorsement of a candidate who literally WORKS FOR Tom Suozzi in the CE race. He did this four years ago against Greg Peterson -- endorse someone other than the GOP candidate and drain votes from the Republicans.
But this time, that wouldn't work. A massive outpouring of grassroots support for Ed and Chris ensued. Conservatives and Republicans and Democrats outraged by this travesty of democracy came up with an idea -- a new party to support Ed and Chris.
Getting a line isn't easy. You have to get thousands of signatures and survive challenges. And your petition gatherers have to have not circulated any party petitions, or be a notary. That knocks out most of the people who typically circulate party petitions, since your average committeeman is a simple working person or small businessman who hasn't taken the notary test. You need to find hundreds of people who haven't signed a prior petition (again, knocking out most of the regulars and usual suspects) and convince them to sign something that they probably don't understand and have no idea what it's for.
In short, it's almost an impossible test. But the grassroots effort was there. People got out and banged on doors. People took up the mantle of Tax Revolt and begged and cajoled for signatures.
The response was, to say the least, overwhelming. A spontaneous outpouring of support for the Tax Revolt Party has led to thousands of middle class and working people signing the petitions. They've learned more about Ed and the Tax Revolt. They've investigated Suozzi and his bossist ways. Now the shoe that Suozzi used to sprint to office is on the other foot.
Suozzi is getting nervous. He's hiring consulting firms and throwing fits. He knows he's in the Red Zone. Now, it's beyond that. He's in serious danger of losing his election.
But to make that happen we need your help. Give the office a call at 605 0245 and ask how you can help Ed Mangano take back Nassau County.
He's really our last hope...
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Backdoor Tax Hikes
I just had a very interesting conversation with a man from Garden City yesterday. This man, a new and strong supporter of Ed Mangano for CE, had worked with Harvey Levinson, the last elected County Assessor in Nassau County in his 2003 election race. He made some good points that I want to share with you today.
Suozzi has raised taxes by almost 80%. But that isn't all. He raised it even more through the Assessor's Office. Levinson, at the behest of Suozzi, jacked the assessments up to unreal levels. Basically, there are two magic numbers. One's the value of your home. The other's the tax rate that NY state computes using the county fractional tax rate. Multiply the two together and you get the money you have to cut a check for. That's your tax bill.
There are two ways to raise taxes. One is to simply raise the rates. Suozzi did that by 80%. But it wasn't enough, even after the state wiped out the deficit of 2001. So, Mr. Suozzi called his political subsidiary Levinson in and said 'I need more money.' Levinson obliged.
He raised the first number, the hypothetical value of your home. He raised it to unreal levels that are laughable even by the 2006 Boom Years standard. This gentleman showed me a house that sold for $500,000 around the corner from him. Levinson had it assessed at almost $800,000. This gentleman had challenged his assessment 7 times.
Sound fair? It does explain why Suozzi has abolished the elected assessor's office. Now, the assessor works directly for him. Thaddeus Janikowski (I'm probably misspelling that name) can be fired if he doesn't raise enough money. Conspiracy? Maybe I'm crazy.
Or maybe I'm right and the only way we can fix this is to vote out Suozzi, get Ed Mangano elected and blow the system to smithereens and start from the beginning and Fix it.
By the way, this individual I spoke to had challenged his assessment 7 times on his own. He won all 7 without the use of counsel. But, if he had used a lawyer such one from the tax cert firm Mayer Suozzi, Mr. Suozzi's father would have taken at least a third. Sound fair?
Let's end this charade on November 3.
Suozzi has raised taxes by almost 80%. But that isn't all. He raised it even more through the Assessor's Office. Levinson, at the behest of Suozzi, jacked the assessments up to unreal levels. Basically, there are two magic numbers. One's the value of your home. The other's the tax rate that NY state computes using the county fractional tax rate. Multiply the two together and you get the money you have to cut a check for. That's your tax bill.
There are two ways to raise taxes. One is to simply raise the rates. Suozzi did that by 80%. But it wasn't enough, even after the state wiped out the deficit of 2001. So, Mr. Suozzi called his political subsidiary Levinson in and said 'I need more money.' Levinson obliged.
He raised the first number, the hypothetical value of your home. He raised it to unreal levels that are laughable even by the 2006 Boom Years standard. This gentleman showed me a house that sold for $500,000 around the corner from him. Levinson had it assessed at almost $800,000. This gentleman had challenged his assessment 7 times.
Sound fair? It does explain why Suozzi has abolished the elected assessor's office. Now, the assessor works directly for him. Thaddeus Janikowski (I'm probably misspelling that name) can be fired if he doesn't raise enough money. Conspiracy? Maybe I'm crazy.
Or maybe I'm right and the only way we can fix this is to vote out Suozzi, get Ed Mangano elected and blow the system to smithereens and start from the beginning and Fix it.
By the way, this individual I spoke to had challenged his assessment 7 times on his own. He won all 7 without the use of counsel. But, if he had used a lawyer such one from the tax cert firm Mayer Suozzi, Mr. Suozzi's father would have taken at least a third. Sound fair?
Let's end this charade on November 3.
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