“The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.” Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America
Nassau County has a long history of suffering through career politicians. As an iconic community of American suburbia, Nassau County has long been a draw for self-seeking bureaucrats, who view elected office not as a public service, but as steps in a grand scheme of ambition and power.
As such, Nassau County has witnessed administration after administration offer shallow efforts of reform, that exchange shoddy, quick fixes for ruinous, long-term consequences. Consequently, Nassau County now faces a national economic recession with a growing structural deficit as the county relies more and more on bonds, Band-Aids, and wishful solutions to close projected budget gaps. Can it be any wonder why Nassau County residents face a crisis in confidence towards many of their current elected officials? Fortunately, this year, Nassau County residents have a candidate who offers a real plan and a real choice.
Ed Mangano is a public servant of Nassau County. Long before he was ever elected to public office, Ed Mangano was a citizen active in the community. When Congress closed the local defense plants at Grumman’s in Bethpage, Ed Mangano went to work. His efforts and ability to collaborate with people regardless of political affiliation resulted in the return of more than 15,000 jobs. It was that kernel of civic responsibility that moved Ed Mangano to public office.
Ed Mangano promises to commit that same drive to the Office of County Executive. Ed Mangano will cut wasteful spending, freeze and fix Nassau's broken and bleeding tax assessment system, end the unfair Home Energy Tax, and create new jobs in Nassau County. And, he will accomplish this without labeling other levels of government, such as the Nassau County Fire Districts, scapegoats of budgetary shortfalls. While some politicians search for a “new suburbia,” Ed Mangano will work to fix the one we have.
That is not to say that victory will be easy, but as we are reminded by Thomas Paine in American Crisis, “the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” Nassau County deserves an effective and responsive public servant; they deserve Ed Mangano.
