The Farmingdale Observer reported County Executive Tom Suozzi's started his NY State tour beginning in January. Will the taxpayers of Nassau County follow his tour and their tax dollars?

Jan. 18, the start of his tour, was a Wednesday and for many of us a work day. Where was our county leader on this work day? In Brooklyn. A far cry from Nassau County. What could the Brooklyn leaders have in common with Nassau County? The bigger question should be did he take a sick day or maybe use a personal day or vacation day? The Observer should begin "Tom Watch" and report every day that he does not appear in his county office and report how he is using the taxpayer assets to run his tour. Let's watch where he goes, what staff accompanies him, what vehicles he is using, who is chauffeuring him around, what expenditures he makes and most of all, how he does this on county time.

Tom, you were elected to be here in Nassau County. You are not an absentee landloard. The taxpayers expect you, not your staff, to be here and run the county, not out touring New York State. No matter what you call your "statewide issues tour", it's still fishing for votes. If you have so much time on your hands, start by attending all the Nassau County events you've been invited to.

Donald Mormino

(Editor's Note: The author is currently a fire commissioner with the South Farmingdale Fire District.)