Nassau County's move irks readers

The Nassau County Legislature’s designation of the New York Post as the official newspaper of Nassau County, which puts the Post in line for hundreds of thousands of dollars of advertising in legally required county notices, is a cynically ironic blow for transparency “Nassau approves revised budget,” News, Dec. 17]. Newsday, which has held that designation until now, has a readership in Nassau that vastly exceeds that of the Post.

It’s now abundantly clear that the guiding light of the Republicans on the county legislature and their de facto leader, County Executive Bruce Blakeman, is a mixture of political expediency and self-aggrandizement that is not seasoned with even an ounce of shame.

Whenever you think they can’t go any lower, they simply yell out for another shovel.

— Chuck Cutolo, Westbury

Why am I not surprised that Nassau legislative Republicans voted to replace Newsday as Nassau’s “official” newspaper with the Post? Do Republicans led by Bruce Blakeman feel that Newsday has not groveled enough at the feet of President-elect Donald Trump? Hmm, I remember Newsday endorsed plenty of Long Island Republicans in November’s election. But wait, Newsday did not endorse Trump for president. That must be the heinous crime.

I have had my own disagreements with Newsday. As a teacher in Nassau for 38 years, I remember many articles on teachers and our schools that I disagreed with vehemently. But that said, there is no other newspaper that at its heart is Long Island. Whatever flaws Newsday may have, it is the voice of Long Island.

— Lorraine Huzar, Jericho

Newsday’s reach on Long Island is double that of the Post, so why would the GOP obstruct access to crucial information for most of Nassau’s residents?

Is placing notices in a New York City publication a strategic move to elevate Bruce Blakeman’s profile beyond the county lines at the expense of local taxpayers?

— Claudia Borecky, Merrick

The writer is president of the Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club.

I am concerned that the Republican majority in the Nassau legislature passed a resolution designating the Post as the “official” newspaper of Nassau County. Is it because the county executive’s office has not been seen in a good light between the opioid crisis money that has not been distributed, the audit the county faces due to Newsday’s reporting of the $10 million spent on outside legal fees that were not approved, or the improper budget that NIFA told Bruce Blakeman to fix?

We need to be informed and need a reputable newspaper informing us, not a tabloid from the city.

— Margaret Maher, Merrick

In the Post’s celebration, Bruce Blakeman asks himself, “Well, Bruce, why?” Holding a trophy copy of the Post, he answers himself: “Well, first of all, I think the New York Post, their coverage is much more vast, and I think that we try to take a regional approach . . . ”

As a reader of both papers, I claim standing to doubt Blakeman’s judgment. The Post does devote more column inches to celebrity scandal, bikinis and jumbo type, but otherwise I’m not sure which regions stand out. Maybe he meant half-vast.

— Brian Kelly, Rockville Centre

I’m disgusted with Nassau’s designation of the Post as its “official” newspaper and especially with Bruce Blakeman for his continued alliance with Donald Trump.

Why didn’t he just ask the legislature to pass a resolution changing the county’s name to MAGA County?

— Murray Simsolo, Lynbrook

So, Bruce Blakeman is shifting Long Island tax money from a Long Island newspaper to a city-based newspaper. His rationale for printing legal notices in the Post rather than Newsday? Because individuals needing information about Long Island issues will be more likely to read a city-based newspaper?

The rationale for choosing the Post as our official newspaper? Because the Post is more objective than Newsday?

Please! Blakeman should have said it’s because Newsday has been critical of actions his administration has taken. Say it like it is, Bruce.

— Karen Osterman, Port Washington