Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's armed militia, hiring of attorney Robert Costello
Gun-control advocates, the American Civil Liberties Union, Democratic legislators and others rally April 8 in Mineola against Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s armed militia plan. Credit: Howard Schnapp
County executive moves are scary
I was born and raised in Nassau County. I raised my children in the county and my grandchildren are growing up here as well. I have lived with Democratic and Republican leadership. I have always been proud of my county.
But Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is scaring me [“New Nassau armed force moves ahead despite fierce criticism,” News, Sept. 15]. He has organized a personal armed militia to be deployed at his discretion, and he has now hired an attorney who was publicly admonished in a courtroom for unprofessional behavior.
He has banned use of our county parks by teams that include taxpayers who aren’t a gender he prefers. This man has put his name in large letters on several large signs on county property.
What is Blakeman’s agenda? Is he staffing our county’s legal office with MAGA loyalist attorneys?
Are the other county executives surrounding themselves with armed militias? Is our county the only one of the 62 counties in New York State with such an agenda? Are the other county executives banning the use of county properties to a select group of people?
None of these initiatives are in line with the most pressing needs of Blakeman’s Nassau County constituents, and they honestly scare me.
— Nancy Costo, Long Beach
Bruce Blakeman needs to stop using his position in government to seemingly further his political ambitions. His decision to enact an armed security force to use “in case of an emergency” appears to be aimed at impressing his MAGA-aligned counterparts as he continues to take actions that help him cozy up to them.
He took this security action despite many of his county constituents seeming to be either skeptical of the need for this program or downright fearful of it.
I’d prefer that Blakeman concentrate on correcting my property taxes, not trying to springboard his political career to a national level. Enough is enough.
— Tom Sena, Merrick
All the residents of Nassau County as well as the rest of Long Island and all Americans should be concerned about Bruce Blakeman’s plans to recruit what I consider a private militia. Why is he so secretive about it? It smacks of the Italian and German paramilitary organizations in the 1930s that were used to silence the fascist leaders’ critics and to gain power.
— Lewis Damrauer, Dix Hills
Why would Nassau hire lawyer Costello?
Robert Costello, hired to work in the Nassau County attorney’s office, is the same lawyer who, as a witness, was found rude and disrespectful by Justice Juan Merchan during the hush money trial of former President Donald Trump [“Nassau hires Trump witness,” News, Sept. 14]. The judge found Costello’s behavior so reprehensible that he cleared the courtroom before threatening to remove Costello from the court.
Bruce Blakeman either directly hired Costello or simply approved his appointment. With over 21,400 lawyers in Nassau County to choose from, why would Blakeman hire a lawyer with such a background? Blakeman has repeatedly disregarded usual proper procedures by creating his militia without a legislative vote and bypassing environmental studies so Las Vegas Sands could be likelier to build a casino here.
Perhaps sharing the same shameful traits as Costello helps Blakeman feel justified in using despotic tactics.
— Phyliss Grodofsky, Merrick
The hiring of Robert Costello is another example of the patronizing that has plagued Nassau County for years. Among Costello’s clients are Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani.
This hiring appears to be an attempt by Bruce Blakeman to cuddle up with Donald Trump.
You only have to look at Nassau University Medical Center to see the results of these political hires.
— Bob Goldkranz, Uniondale
Bruce Blakeman’s hire of Robert Costello is yet another example of Blakeman practicing reactionary politics on the taxpayers’ dime. Costello has represented a rogue’s gallery of public figures, including Rudy Giuliani, who has been disbarred.
What will it cost taxpayers to have this MAGA supporter on the county attorney’s payroll? And what message is Blakeman sending with this embarrassing, irresponsible hire?
— Lee Parker, Roslyn Estates
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