"It's been quite an experience," said Judy Jacobs, referring to the recent political wrangling in the Nassau County Legislature. Ms. Jacobs, a Democrat and presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature, received a warm welcome as she addressed the Great Neck Village Officials Association meeting last Wednesday evening. Providing a general overview of the county, as well as some personal anecdotes, Ms. Jacobs assured the local officials that, despite the problems and adverse publicity, the county legislature has been working all year. And, when questioned about Great Neck's concern over Nassau County Board of Assessors Chairman Harvey Levinson's concept of a county income tax, she stated that this has no support from the legislature.

As she began to talk, Ms. Jacobs, who represents the 16th Legislative District, explained that she began as a teacher, having majored in political science and speech with a minor in education. When she moved to Woodbury, she became very active in civic affairs and, eventually, in the Democratic Party. She tried and failed twice to win an elected office in the town, but tried once again when asked to run for the new Nassau County Legislature. She won, finding this "a wonderful experience."

Judy Jacobs, who eventually became presiding officer when the Democrats won a majority of the seats, stressed that "you must treat people with respect, you must be responsive." Ms. Jacobs added that "we're not better than anyone else; we're just here to serve and we have accomplished a lot."

When the Democrats won the majority in 1999, Tom Gulotta was county executive and the Democrats, Ms. Jacobs said, did not expect to win the majority of seats in the county legislature. "The county was near bankruptcy, one step above junk bond," she explained, and NIFA took over, "acting as county executive."

Ms. Jacobs continued, stating that when Tom Suozzi won the county executive post, the county's ratings went up. "Now," she said, "we can think outside of the box; look for new ideas so we don't have to go to the homeowners over and over again." And Ms. Jacobs then cautioned that the county must be careful: "We can't fall into old habits. We must balance the budget. We (the Democrats) were elected because people were fed up with Nassau County's dire straits." She said that NIFA will continue to monitor the county until the end of 2007.

Turning to county news, Ms. Jacobs said that the HUB, "the biggest single item for the future of Nassau County," will go a long way to relieve the burden in Nassau if it is done correctly. "It looks like an exciting plan," she said, noting the 77 acres, including a renovated Nassau Coliseum and the row of museums. Ms. Jacobs said that the county is committed to the survival of the Cradle of Aviation Museum; it would cost the county over a million dollars if it goes under.

Traffic, she said, is a major concern, and the legislature would not consider a plan for the HUB without transportation issues properly addressed. The HUB, which will be financed by private funding, will be the subject of many county legislature meetings, some of which will be held in the evenings.

"If developed correctly, the HUB would add to the county's economic base; people will come and spend money," Ms. Jacobs stated. And that money is sorely needed by the county, she said, noting that the county is $50 million down from anticipated revenues.

Discussion turned to the Nassau County Medical Center and Ms. Jacobs said "We are all committed to the hospital, for the poor and the indigent. It was not run well and we are putting in new people." She spoke of the importance of this hospital for everyone, telling how the lives of two of her friends had been saved at the county hospital. "It needs to be administered better," she said, adding that the A. Holly Patterson nursing home also needed help, and that the county could use some of that large piece of land.

As for Nassau County's parks, Ms. Jacobs said that the county is committed to its parks. She drives through the parks regularly, and while she finds them clean, she does support the regular updates and the "tremendous effort" put forth to maintain the parks.

During a give-and-take period, Ms. Jacobs answered questions, including one regarding the Levinson concept of funding schools through an income tax as opposed to the property tax system currently used. Ms. Jacobs said that she believes that the county assessor really does feel that this is the best overall solution, but she emphasized that it has no legislative support.

Judy Jacobs admitted that "there is a lot wrong in Nassau County; everything needs work." Confident that it will all be done, "little by little," Ms. Jacobs assured her audience "We are there for you. We're here to serve you."