CAPTION.
CREDIT

I agree with The Post that Nassau County taxes are too high and spending is out of control (“Naughty in Nassau,” Editorial, Dec. 20).

That is why I removed $485 million in county tax burden over the next four years by eliminating the home-energy tax and 16.5 percent in planned property-tax hikes. To right-size government, I cut $148 million in spending.

I consolidated departments, streamlined functions, created a Department of Shared Services, stopped a $34 million lease giveaway, achieved millions in energy savings, formed a purchasing consortium to save tax dollars and recently ordered $23 million in additional 2011 budget cuts.

I made structural reforms to the assessment and sewer systems that stop the annual $188 million giveaways the special interests receive and cut the county workforce by over 400 positions.

I achieved $20 million in savings by eliminating 125 non-patrol police positions and introduced legislation that would give me the authority to reopen the onerous labor contracts that threaten to bankrupt the county.

While we’ve made a good start, there is a lot more to do. I will not rest until we’ve accomplished this goal.

Edward P. Mangano

Nassau County

Executive

Mineola