COBA President Calls Out Schmitt, Legislature

Nassau County Sheriff's Correction Officers Benevolent Association (COBA) President John Jaronczyk challenged the Nassau County Legislature, specifically Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt, R-Massapequa, on Monday after alleging that multiple promotions were made at the Nassau County County Correctional Center to friends of Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano.

"Last week they promoted a deputy undersheriff, who just happens to be good personal friends with Ed Mangano, and they promoted another acting deputy undersheriff, who just happens to be a neighbor of Ed Mangano," Jaronczyk said. "And at the same time they're demoting supervisors at the jail, they're promoting civilian correctional center cooks at the jail."

The video of the exchange between Jaronczyk and the legislature was posted on YouTube earlier this week.

After a back-and-forth between Jaronczyk and Schmitt, the presiding officer tells Jaronczyk "finish up your three minutes and get out." Leg. Dave Denenberg, D-Merrick, steps in and questions Schmitt's choice of words shortly thereafter.

Nassau County Senior Policy Advisor Brian Nevin spoke out against the COBA and their actions earlier this week.

"It's shameful that COBA has once again resorted to personal attacks on the county administration, and their own members, as a distraction from the real issues," Nevin told Patch. "Their wasteful actions on every front, including baseless civil lawsuits, only serve to harm the taxpayers of Nassau County and their own members. COBA's continued refusal to meet with county officials and negotiate on behalf of their members, as all of the other county unions have done, represents an absolute failure by their union leaders.

He added: "In order to maintain over $3 million in taxpayer savings, the sheriff slashed overtime by $3 million by having strong management in place. The union wants less management so they can manipulate overtime. The sheriff's actions thwart those efforts."

Click on the video above to see Jarronczyk speaking with the legislature.

Human Service Providers Propose Bipartisan Compromise to Save Community Services

Five coalitions of Nassau County human service providers have come together and developed a plan to end the stalemate that exists in the Nassau County Legislature that threatens to terminate the funding of many community programs and services.

Approximately 50 county-funded community service groups recently received notice that county-funding to their programs would end effective July 6 if the county was unable to secure legislative approval to borrow $41 million to pay property tax refund obligations. The Nassau Legislature has been deadlocked on this proposal with borrowing, use of contingency funds and utilizing monies in the county's fund balance as the alternatives. 

The plan proposed by the coalition calls for a compromise wherein the tax obligations would be paid half ($20.5 million) from borrowing and half ($20.5 million) from contingency funds in the budget or from the fund balance, while at the same time guaranteeing complete restoration of the funding to county human service programs.

"This is a true and exact compromise, whereby both sides meet exactly in the middle, to prevent the July 6 closing of human service programs and to enable the county to pay its tax refund obligations," said Peter Levy, President of the Coalition of Nassau County Youth Service Agencies.

Hardest hit by the funding reductions are 37 county youth programs and 13 substance abuse treatment programs.

Fireworks Set for June 30

Nassau County will play host to a "world class" fireworks display and concert in Eisenhower Park on Saturday, June 30.

According to the county "the fireworks, presented by the world-famous Grucci family, are part of an unforgettable night in Eisenhower Park which kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with Dr. K’s Motown Revue and a Tribute to John Cougar Mellencamp and Journey by the Idol Kings."

The theatre area gates will open at 5 p.m. and the fireworks will begin at nightfall (approx. 9:30 p.m.). Tickets are required for admission to the Theatre area and are available, free of charge, at any TD Bank on Long Island, while supplies last. There is no formal seating; visitors should bring blankets or chairs. Space is limited and overflow will be directed to other viewing and parking areas.

Long Island Wins Empire Challenge Football All-Star Game

The Long Island team defeated New York City Tuesday night by a final score of 31-7 in the 17th annual United Healthcare Empire Challenge.

The annual All-Star football game is organized by former NFL star and East Islip native Boomer Esiason. It benefits the Boomer Esiason Foundation in its fight against cystic fibrosis, contributes to the Gunnar H. Esiason Endowed Scholarship Fund at Hofstra, and supports youth and high school football in the New York metropolitan area.

The game is scheduled to replay on MSG Varsity on July 20 and Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m.