In what has become an all too obvious trend in the Suozzi administration, the Democrat majority of the Nassau County Legislature approved the appointment of another non-Nassau County resident to become a department head in the Nassau County government. Arlene Sanchez, a resident of Queens, was confirmed as the commissioner of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities by the county legislature by a party line vote of 10-9.

"This administration has a consistent record of hiring management personnel from areas outside of Nassau County. The Democrat majority on the legislature has rubber stamped every appointment of the county executive regardless of that person's home address," Legislator Richard Nicolello said. "We find it incredible that no Nassau County resident need apply."

Upon taking office in 2002, the county executive has consistently looked beyond Nassau County's 1.6 million residents to full his upper management positions. The county executive has placed 33 non-Nassau County residents in commissioner, deputy commissioner or assistant commissioner positions since 2002. Those positions account for more than $3.3 million in salaries paid by the residents of Nassau County.

"The Republican delegation strongly believes that the people who run Nassau County should live and pay taxes in Nassau County," Nicolello added.