Blakeman hitting plenty of nerves

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s initiative to create what amounts to an armed militia under his direct authority could lead to a tragedy, one for which Nassau County would be liable [“Nassau doesn’t need militia,” Editorial, April 1]. He evidently intends to oversee the selection of these “special deputies” and to be the one to decide what is an “emergency.”

His provocative, highly partisan actions of past months — anti-transgender policies, for example — give a sense of how dangerous it would be to allow him to claim this power. Such executive overreach flies in the face of the democratic structures of county government.

Moreover, there are good reasons why we have a professional police force. We insist that before we entrust police officers with the right to use deadly force that they be trained, educated and inculcated with a sense of professionalism.

These special deputies could turn out to be hotheads, fanatics or bigots. Or simply inexperienced, fearful individuals who could pull the trigger under inappropriate circumstances. This is not acceptable.

— Dolores Augustine, Roslyn Heights

It appears that Bruce Blakeman wants to create a militia of local residents licensed to carry firearms. One particularly offensive aspect of this noxious idea is that membership will be limited to “local property or business owners.”

Blakeman must think that he is living in the 18th century when only property owners could vote. Is Blakeman trying to exclude only renters from his personal militia?

— Keith Rothman, Commack

This militia initiative is Bruce Blakeman’s latest ridiculous idea, following the transgender athlete ban, which likely will cost the county legal fees to both prosecute and defend cases for a nonexistent issue. Now he wants to have armed “deputies” parading around to respond to “emergencies.” Just wait until some of these people show up at polling places in November to intimidate voters. There must be a way to prevent this initiative from taking effect.

— Robert Futterman, Valley Stream

On different days, Bruce Blakeman issues different disappointing statements. His transgender ban has some merit, but he should realize how it affects children on teams. I have a transgender child and so do my friends. This is a subject to be handled with care.

Another: Retired military or police can bear arms within their community to assist with possible crimes. I am not sure this would be a wise idea for the retiree or the possible criminal, who just might get injured or killed during this special deputy’s evaluation of a possible criminal action.

I’m glad I don’t live in Nassau County so I am not actively exposed to the ideas this man is generating, but I cannot understand why residents are not getting more involved in what this executive is doing.

— Janet Garofalo, Lindenhurst

In signing his executive order banning transgender athletes from competing at Nassau County sports venues, Bruce Blakeman insists he’ll stop the bullying of women and girls, and that his order isn’t anti-discriminatory or anti-LGBTQ+ [“Oklahoma teen death a cautionary tale,” Opinion, April 5].

Yet Blakeman chatted about his executive order on a March 8 podcast with Kevin Smith of Loud Majority, an antigovernment extremist group that has repeatedly mocked and harassed Long Island’s LGBTQ+ community at local rallies, board of education meetings, and on social media. Blakeman isn’t the only local Republican lawmaker to team up with the Loud Majority.

It’s bad enough that vulnerable members of Long Island communities are now on constant guard against the rising vitriol against them.

Does Blakeman truly fight for all Long Islanders, or are there some that don’t warrant those same protections and advocacy? His affiliation with the Loud Majority hints at a depressing answer.

— Jenn Gidman, Commack

Bruce Blakeman had not heard of specific examples of transgender girls attempting to compete in women’s sports in Nassau County yet calls it a “commonsense” issue to order this ban. The logic is typical of MAGA actions, an act of fealty to the “less freedom is more” party.

— Brian Kelly, Rockville Centre

The current administration has frozen property tax assessments again [“Blakeman’s first 2 years as Nassau County Exec,” News, March 31]. Aren’t we heading in the same direction for assessments as when Edward Mangano was county executive?

People keep challenging their assessments and getting them lowered. How can that be when all these properties are already underassessed?

When is Bruce Blakeman going to fulfill his campaign promise to fix the broken property assessment system? Probably never, since it will affect his reelection chances.

— Chris Inguanta, Valley Stream

Property taxes should be determined by lot size, not by pools, dormers and extra living space. If you have a larger home, you already have to pay extra money for the upkeep. It is that simple. Bruce Blakeman’s giving himself a salary increase of $17,000 is absurd.

Every department in Nassau County should have an efficiency audit to get rid of duplicate jobs. Redundancy wastes money. Politicians don’t seem to want to do the hard work. They just kick the can down the road.

Being the boss is never easy, and the boss will never be liked by everyone, but Blakeman took an oath to serve the people, and the people need financial relief.

— Bonnie Radafshar, Westbury

The article did not point out that Bruce Blakeman took his cost-of-living salary increase. As a speech therapist, I know that Nassau Country providers of preschool services, including speech, occupational and behavioral therapy, get some of the lowest pay in the state.

The rate of reimbursement has not changed since 1999. Most of the $262 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act was put in the county’s general fund, and $10 million was set aside for marketing and events at Blakeman’s request.

Meanwhile there are waiting lists for therapists and school programs.

— Jennifer Galligan, Bellmore

Now, Bruce Blakeman is taking credit for something that has been in existence before he was born.

At the exit from the Cross Island Parkway to Hempstead Turnpike is a new sign, complete with his usual name and title, proudly announcing the Belmont Stakes.

Not only has this event been around for over 150 years, but it won’t be in Elmont for the next two years.

— Lloyd Baum, Long Beach