Richard Macellaro - I Support Bellone's Resolution Let Voters Decide

Testimony in Support of A Resolution To Consolidate the Offices of County Treasurer and Comptroller. Presented at the Suffolk County Legislature W.H. Rogers Legislature Building 725 Veterans Memorial Highway Smithtown, NY 11787

July 22, 2013

Good Afternoon, Suffolk County Legislators.  My name is Richard S. Macellaro and I am a resident of Kings Park, Smithtown for more than 22 years.  I am here today in support of County Executive Steve Bellone’s resolution that asks the Suffolk County Legislature to allow County voters (your constituents) to decide in a November referendum whether we should merge the Offices of the Treasurer and Comptroller under the leadership of an elected Chief Financial Officer.

This resolution, if enacted, is yet another example of the County Executive’s initiatives to further reduce the cost of government, control spending, eliminate duplication of services and unnecessary government offices while providing common sense consolidations and solutions that save taxpayer dollars by delivering more efficient services.  Newsday’s June 14 editorial, wrote,

“The job of treasurer, shouldn’t be elective. The clerical and administrative work of the treasurer is not political.”  Further, “A comptroller or CFO, though, should be elected. That person is a watchdog the people deserve to pick, as they would if the roles were combined.”  I agree.The question is simple; put the referendum on the ballot.  That’s Democracy!  Between now and then, both sides will have ample opportunity to explain their points of view.  That’s Political!  Thank you.