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Oyster Bay Town Republicans run on their record; Democrats
challenge that record, and call for change Whenever Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto talks about taxes and services, he uses the expression that taxpayers in the Town are getting a "big bang for their buck." He can easily list a host of services, amenities and new initiatives he and the Town board put into place during the ten years he has been Supervisor and he points to what he describes as the high quality of life in Oyster Bay. Democrats don't agree. "He says 'bang for a buck' as if you're buying a refrigerator or something," said Alex Sklavos, theTown's Democratic leader. "Even $1 is too much to be asking. There should be no bucks." Venditto is seeking his sixth, two-year term and is running on the Republican, Conservative and Independence lines with council candidates Rose Marie Walker, Joe Muscarella, Anthony Macagnone, all incumbents. Also running with Venditto and his team are incumbent Town Clerk Steve Labriola and Town Receiver James Stefanich. Running on the Democratic line are Joseph Terino who is running for Town Supervisor, Jay Cherlin, Carol Gordon, and Keith Scalia for Town council; Matthew Meng for Town Clerk and Marie McCormack for Town Receiver. Scalia and McCormack are also running on the Working Families line. The Democrats are running on a platform of fiscal accountability, saying that there is waste in Town government. Specifically, they point to ways the Town can save money. "Why do they have special tax districts?," asked Sklavos who pointed to the town's different sanitation districts, each represented by a different attorney. The Town has taxing districts for parks, sanitation, water, public parking, street lighting and fire protection, each serving different parts of the Town. "The reason we have different districts is because it is mandated by New York State law for complete visibility," said Stefanich who has served in his capacity since 2000. "Each of our water districts, for example, must be independent of Town government." "If we consolidated these districts, it would decrease the tax burden on homeowners,' said McCormack, a Garden City lawyer. "It's a red herring," But collaboration, not consolidation is the key to saving money said the Republicans, adding that the Democrats criticize but don't do their homework. "The Democrats use consolidation as a blanket statement but have not shown any studies to prove their point," said Labriola. "One size doesn't fit all." What does work, however, said Labriola, is bringing all parts of the Town together to maximize efficiency. "We have a program, for example, that allows departments to buy fuel together, which results in a cost savings because we're purchasing larger quantities at one time." Other savings can be achieved by reducing duplication, said Sklavos. "Why do we need the Town's Public Safety Officers? That's why we have the Nassau County Police," he asked, charging that the Republicans are simply creatingTown patronage positions. Venditto countered that public safety and police protection are not the same. "Our Public Safety Officers do not do the same job as Nassau County Police Officers," he said. "Public safety officers are the eyes and ears of the Town on all matters." The role of the public safety officer is to enforce the Town's codes and ordinance and regulations atTown facilities and properties. Unarmed, they have the authority to issue parking and appearance tickets for violations. The Town employs 15 full-time officers who earn $36,391 (for a total of $545,865), as well as 13 parttime officers who earn between $13 and $25 an hour, according to Town documents. "In these interesting times, what value do you put on public safety?" asked Venditto. "Our Town has many events and concerts and our Public Safety Officers act as a presence. Our residents have made it abundantly clear that they are happy with this new addition, which we should have added a long time ago." The Republicans don't argue that cutting services and programs would save money, but said that the residents expect a safe, secure and high quality of life and one that is safe. As a result, the Venditto team constantly looks to upgrade and increase services, whenever possible, and wherever needed. "We have been getting great recognition for all the wonderful services the Town offers and the Town," said Bruce Foley, the Republican leader in Massapequa and Commissioner of Community & Youth Services in the Town. "And the Town is in great financial shape even as we've been holding the line on taxes. That's what voters should be concerned with." Town residents pay $9.14 per $100 of assessed valuation. A home assessed at $30,000 pays an annual Town bill of approximately $275 for general services including all maintenance and upgrades to all recreational facilities, environmental preservation and programs for senior citizens, youth and children. "For only 10 cents on the dollar that residents are paying, we have something to offer everyone," Venditto said. One area that has a tremendous impact on quality of life is housing. Both sides agree on that point, but differ on how to handle illegal housing and violations of the Town's housing codes and ordinances. Democrats call for a stronger crackdown on violators, saying that illegal apartments place a strain on schools, infrastructure, fire districts and and other taxing entities who ultimately pass those costs along to taxpayers. Their solution is to hire additional housing inspectors. "The Town needs to inspect more equitably by hiring more inspectors," said McCormack who explained her party believes there are too much patronage and favoritism in the Town, resulting in many illegal dwellings that go unchallenged. Republicans disagree with the assessment by their political opponents and point out that the Venditto administration has been proactive in putting an end to the practice of illegal housing. Recently theTown code has been amended to make it harder for residents to rent illegal apartments. "If a homeowner is found to have more than one gas or electric meter, or more than one mailbox on their home, for example, they will now have to prove that they don't have an illegal apartment now, according to the new code," said Walker, a teacher and lifelong Hicksville resident. Previously, the burden of proof was with the Town. Democrats have had a difficult time making political inroads in the Town of Oyster Bay and this year is no different. They face well-known incumbents in a Town with registration heavily in the Republican favor. Despite that they say that it is the residents who would gain the most if they elected Democrats to the Town board. "We need to get Democrats on, to mix it up and get a fresh set of eyes to look at the problems," said Meng, the owner of a car repair chain. Just because they are all from the same party doesn't mean they always agree however, say the Republicans, who point out that discussion ideas and diverse points of view are part of what makes upTown government under Venditto. "We fight like banshees behind closed doors and after we debate we present a united front," said Macagnone, who has been in office since 1999."Party affiliations are not as important as who we are and what our backgrounds are." Macagnone was a Democrat when he ran for and won a seat on the Town Board. He later changed his party affiliation and ran under the Republican line, getting reelected. "I was elected as both a Democrat and a Republican because I am doing a great job," he said. "Not because of my party affiliation." "Don't look at my hair, my tie or my title and vote for or against me because of it," said Venditto. There's no Republican or Democrat way of picking up garbage...I just ask people to vote for me based on my record." | |||||
