NYS Comptroller DiNapoli Endorses Snair For Town Supervisor

SMITHTOWN, NY – Steve Snair, the Democratic, Independence, and Working Families candidate for Smithtown town supervisor, today received the endorsement of New York Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. 

“Comptroller DiNapoli is well respected here on Long Island,” said Snair. “I’m impressed by his commitment to improving New York and making government more fiscally responsible.”

In a statement, DiNapoli said, “Steve Snair has proven he is the best choice for Smithtown. He will bring an honest, fresh approach as supervisor and I look forward to working with him.” DiNapoli has served as Comptroller of New York since 2007.

Steve Snair is a private practice attorney and small business owner based in the Town of Smithtown. The lifelong resident of Smithtown announced his candidacy for supervisor in April of this year, running on a platform of revitalizing the town through updated planning, job creation and economic development, which will grow the tax base and relieve the burden off middle class taxpayers.

Tom DiNapoli was appointed New York State Comptroller in February 2007 and elected to a full-term in 2010. The native of Long Island is also a former state assemblyman, where he was the Chairman of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee. As the Chief Fiscal Officer of New York State, DiNapoli has shown a strong commitment to governmental reform. Through his audits and oversight, he has targeted more than $2 billion in wasteful spending.

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. 

Times Union -Zeldin Fundraiser At Saratoga Race Course Cancelled

Campaign ban at track sinking in - New policy having effect, but there is a loophole

By James M. Odato

Albany

A Republican state senator dropped plans for a big fundraiser next week at Saratoga Race Course after learning of the New York Racing Association’s policy that bars the tradition of raising campaign cash at the state’s tracks.

On Thursday, campaign workers for Suffolk County’s representative in the upper chamber was reminding contributors of his fundraiser on Monday and to dress properly for “Day at the Track With Senator Lee M. Zeldin.” Click For Article

County Executive Bellone - Let The People Decide

I have introduced a resolution that asks the Suffolk County Legislature to allow the voters to decide in a referendum whether we should merge the offices of the Treasurer and Comptroller under the leadership of an elected Chief Financial Officer. This resolution will save taxpayer dollars, eliminate duplication and allow our government to deliver services more efficiently. I strongly believe that this merger should be YOUR decision.

The Suffolk County Legislature will be having a hearing on whether or not to allow this merger on the ballot this November and let YOU make the decision as to how you want to see Suffolk County move forward.  I encourage you to add your voice to the conversation in support of our agenda to reform.

Date:   Tomorrow, Monday, July 22, 2013

Time: 10AM

Location: Suffolk County Legislature, W.H. Rogers Legislature Building, 725 Veterans Memorial Highway Smithtown, NY 11787

Suffolk County is currently the only one of New York’s 62 counties which elects both a Treasurer and a Comptroller. In an editorial, Newsday wrote, “There’s a reason that 61 of New York’s 62 counties do not elect both a treasurer and a comptroller: To do so makes no sense. Suffolk is the one outlier, but County Executive Steve Bellone hopes to change that, with voter approval.”

Thank you for all your support. Together we will continue to reform Suffolk County government and stand up for taxpayers. 

Sincerely, 

Steve Bellone

Combining 2 Countywide Positions Not A Good Idea

Dear Suffolk County community members:

If you have not heard, a proposed plan to eliminate 2 Countywide elected Officials that presently answer directly to the people is coming up for a vote. This proposal will strongly decrease accountability. We as community members can help make a difference by informing the Suffolk County Legislature that we want them to vote “NO” to this proposal (IR#1567).

During these difficult economic times, we should not eliminate the checks and balances process. This process should be a non-partisan and non-political decision. As a Banker, for over 30 years, I believe strongly that checks and balances are vital and there should remain a separate Comptroller’s and Treasurer’s Office in Suffolk County. There needs to be independent oversight of its finances, having the jurisdiction for the money in the hands of one person.

The Suffolk County Treasurer’s Office with the Department of Finance and Taxation continues to serve the public with the utmost professionalism, courteousness and experience, despite the fact that staffing levels have decreased from 72 in the late ’80s to a current level of 40 full time employees with a drop again to 33 full time employees.

Some of the key responsibilities of the SUFFOLK COUNTY TREASURER are:

• CUSTODY OF ALL PUBLIC FUNDS BELONGING TO THE COUNTY as CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER serving over 1.5 million Suffolk County residents.
• MANAGING THE CASH and RECONCILING ALL COUNTY BANK ACCOUNTS,             less the Department of Social Services.
• MANAGING COUNTY PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS.
• COLLECTS DELINQUENT REAL ESTATE TAXES as CHIEF TAX ENFORCING OFFICER.
• ENFORCES DUE DILIGENCE PROCESS OF CONTACTING EVERY PROPERTY OWNER TO ADVISE HIM/HER/BUSINESS THAT THEIR PROPERTY IS IN JEOPARDY OF FORECLOSURE. VITAL IN MANAGING REAL ESTATE TAX REVENUE FOR THE COUNTY. 
• ADMINISTER AND COLLECT ALL HOTEL/MOTEL TAX DUE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, AGAIN VITAL IN MANAGING REVENUE FOR THE COUNTY.
• DEPOSITING ALL FUNDS AND MANAGING BANK DEPOSITS.

THESE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MAJOR JOB FUNCTIONS THAT THE SUFFOLK COUNTY TREASURER PERFORMS THAT ARE VITAL TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT.

SEE MORE INFORMATION AT: http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/departments/treasurer.aspx#

Please consider attending this very important hearing tomorrow,

MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013 AT 10AM at the Suffolk County Legislature in Hauppauge and/or sending an email with your comments on IR#1567 to: Annmarie.pastore@suffolkcountyny.gov and

your Suffolk County Legislator at: http://legis.suffolkcountyny.gov/.

I appreciate your assistance, consideration and action regarding your response to this very time sensitive issue.

Please promote and spread the word to your fellow community members and Suffolk County Legislators to vote “NO” to the proposed merger and elimination of the Suffolk County Treasurer position and related layoffs.

Thank you

Sincerely,

Paul E. Borowski

A Very Concerned Suffolk County Resident