From the archives: Suozzi takes office

This story was originally published in Newsday on Jan. 2, 2002.

Against the backdrop of a huge American flag, his family at his side, Thomas Richard Suozzi became the first Democratic Nassau county executive in 30 years and immediately went to work on the county's fiscal morass.

Faced with what political and economic experts have dubbed as the most daunting task a Nassau County politician has faced in decades, Suozzi began yesterday by freezing all hiring, purchasing and overtime unless authorized by him. He said his plan sets the tone for making the county financially stable again.

"Either get on board or get out of our way," Suozzi said to roaring applause from supporters at the packed Tilles Center for the Performing Arts on the C.W. Post Campus in Brookville.

"Now is a time for the triumph of imagination over routine, of courage over timidity, of idealism over cynicism," Suozzi said in his inauguration speech. "Energy, optimism and success - our task is to bring this spirit to all levels of county government, to each role, to each function, to each day of work."

Suozzi's critics say it will take more than tough talk from the 39-year-old former Glen Cove mayor to turn around a county that has seen its debt balloon as high as $300 million.

He will face the huge task of creating ways to reduce the backlog of $700 million worth of tax challenges that have resulted from the county's flawed assessment system. He will need to cut labor costs, which make up 45 percent of the county's $2.2 billion budget.

And, he will face pressure from community advocates to help keep the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow afloat.

While admitting that his plan to freeze hiring, overtime and purchasing is more symbolic than practical, Suozzi said he will work with labor union officials to come up with an employee evaluation system to reward workers based on performance and not "political connections."

It is a similar plan to one he formed in Glen Cove and was one of his themes throughout his campaign for county executive when he defeated multimillionaire Republican Bruce Bent of Plandome.

Suozzi also called for a meeting on Friday with Nassau Interim Finance Authority officials, Legislative Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs, Minority Leader Peter Schmitt, and other budget officials to work out a four-year financial plan for the county.

He said he would audit all county departments and county contracts to find out "what has caused the fiscal morass we now find ourselves in and to develop a road map to get us out of it."

"We will form a department of special investigation to root out waste, fraud and abuse," Suozzi said. "Yes, we will solve the county's fiscal woes, we will deliver a government that is worthy of our people, and we will make Nassau County the best county in the country."

Republicans praised Suozzi for a "good speech," but added he still has to come up with a solid plan to fix the county's problems.

"He was on target and showed that he has vision and common sense," said Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford). "He's got a tough job ahead of him. In the long run, the freezes on hiring won't mean much. But it shows for now that he's setting a tone. But he's got to go well beyond wage freezes."

Democrats, downright giddy over their newfound political control over the legislature and the county executive office, praised Suozzi for being inclusive in his administration and calling for Republicans to work with Democrats.

"It was almost like a call to arms," said Jacobs (D-Woodbury). "There's no time for partisanship, no time for rhetoric. This is the time to act together."

The inauguration ceremony made Suozzi only the seventh Nassau county executive since 1938, the first year the position was created.

His inauguration took on the feel of a local church service, with gospel music and interfaith reflections from eight different religious leaders.

So many religious leaders spoke that Rabbi Simcha Lefkowitz of Yeshiva of the South Shore joked: "Having eight clergymen participate in the program tells you that Mr. Suozzi is expecting big miracles."

Even Republicans had high praise for the Suozzi inauguration ceremony, some comparing it favorably to the simpler ceremonies preferred by former Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta.

Gulotta, seated near the front and center of the auditorium, agreed that the event was auspicious.

"I think his remarks were very inspiring," said Gulotta, who was leaving after 14 years in office. "Now it's up to everyone to work together to turn those remarks into action for the betterment of all the residents of the county."

But whether the various political factions will heed Suozzi's call is of concern among politicians.

Republicans have already sparred with Suozzi over his call for a 15-percent property tax increase for the 2002 budget.

"I think everybody needs to take a deep breath. I think Tom calling for a meeting of everyone on Friday is a good idea," said Hempstead Supervisor Richard Guardino. "Step back, the campaign is over, the election is over, and let's talk about what we can do to improve this government. I'm optimistic, given the personalities and the parties involved, they can do it."

And while Schmitt, the GOP minority leader, sounded guardedly optimistic after sitting behind Suozzi on stage yesterday, he acknowledged that Republicans will not shy from attacking Suozzi.

"It's a good day for Nassau County," he said. "It's a transfer of power, a new administration, it's got a lot of promise. And if he can come forward with a plan to cut spending, I'll have nine Republican votes lined up behind it.

"However," he said, "you've got to define your terms. I do not consider that standing up for dearly held principles and beliefs is partisanship or gamesmanship."

He said Suozzi's call for a freeze on overtime, hiring and purchasing is likely to have little practical effect.

Michael Adams, president of the Sheriff Officers Association, said it would be difficult to pare overtime at the jail because the county must meet state staffing requirements.

Suozzi, in an interview after the ceremony, said, "I can't stop all overtime. There are emergency situations - a cop has to attend to a particular crime scene, a post has to be guarded in the correctional facility. But today is about setting the tone. And in the weeks to come, and in the months to come, we will use that tone to enforce the new workplace rules."

Staff writer Edward W. Lempinen contributed to this story.