"I'm so happy at so many different levels," New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli told his "hometown crowd" as he met with local officials last week at the Great Neck Village Officials Association meeting. A longtime Great Neck resident and so long a colleague of the mayors, trustees and other municipal leaders, Mr. DiNapoli said that he does not have the opportunity to see all of his friends often enough and he "relishes the opportunity to be back in town and see all of you." And he spent the better part of the evening discussing his "new job" with his "old friends."

As for his position as state comptroller, Mr. DiNapoli said that there are "challenges at all levels of government" and that he learned much at the local level, especially his 20 years as the assemblyman for the local 16th Assembly District. Learning on the local level, according to Mr. DiNapoli, taught him to realize how everything impacts on local government. "This has made me a better comptroller," he said. His office, he said, respects state and local government and the people in New York State.

Continuing, Mr. DiNapoli said that "Albany has been going through a lot ... there are a lot of good ideas but often we have been side-tracked". He spoke of a period of transition now, and how this has "given us an opportunity to look at the issues in new and fresh ways." Mr. DiNapoli said that the current governor, David Paterson, "understands what needs to be done ... he understands the diversity of the state."

Changes, Mr. DiNapoli stated, are bringing optimism. He then went on to touch on the then very recent news that state senate majority leader Joseph Bruno would step down and Dean Skelos would assume that leadership role. Senator Skelos, he said, "knows Nassau County, the villages ..." and such, as he is a Long Island state senator.

Referring back to his own office and the budget, Comptroller DiNapoli said that when he took over in 2007, "all was good," but that at the end of the year, the spillover into the first quarter in 2008 showed that the year "ended in a negative way."

At this point, he said, "We don't have the resources of revenue coming in as in past years ...," and as a result, "there is more scrutiny and accountability ... with inflation we have to look at things in a different way."

Mr. DiNapoli then touched on some commissions that have been in the news. As for the Commission on Local Government Efficiency, he said that it has made "some sense," but that they have problems and have not really gotten very far. The Suozzi Commission on Property Tax and the cap for school taxes has as yet brought no legislation, no decision as yet. However, he did say that this might surface again in another form, later on.

Coming back to his hometown, Great Neck, Tom DiNapoli spoke of

"the strong tradition and acceptance of local government." This, though, he said, can often bring strong pressure on local governments.

His office, he said, is "above the partisan fray," The comptroller's office, he explained, provides "responsible data and trends" that provide help in various areas. And he said that the "debt issue needs more attention ... must be looked at case by case." Mr. DiNapoli then noted that "some say consolidation might work ... but a community may not choose this even if it will save money."

The comptroller's office does not get involved in commenting on situations like the work of the commissions, but Mr. DiNapoli, well-known as a consensus builder says that, "decisions often begin from the grass-roots level." And he said that everyone must be involved, "everyone must be at the table," to get better results.

Mr. DiNapoli also complimented the "new" state leaders, State Senator Craig Johnson and State Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, stating that they are "doing an outstanding job."

Turning back to the state budget, the comptroller noted the "increase in revenue sharing monies" and the "increase in school aid." He said, "The governor sent the right message."

Mr. DiNapoli said that the state is cutting back on spending and trying to "build in a cushion." He noted that the state is "trying to avoid mid-year cuts" such as those of the mid-90s. The comptroller's office, he said, also cut back on spending 3.5 percent. "We must monitor and spend carefully," he added.

He also stated that with "money not there," everyone must be aware that "there are tough choices."

Mr. DiNapoli said that he is "trying to promote openness and transparency." To that end, he is now working on an "Open Book New York" project, complete with a website. All state expenditures are shown on this site and it is updated quarterly. Contracts, updated daily, are also provided. "We need to get more information out ... Albany has not been 'out there' ... we must be more democratic," the comptroller stated. Eventually local governments will also be on the website.

Pensions were also a focus of Mr. DiNapoli's remarks. He emphasized that the state needs to be very sure that everyone who gets a state pension is actually entitled to it. The comptroller's office is working to ensure this, while "everyone must be more careful."

For part-time elected officials, there will also be new regulations. Mr. DiNapoli said that there have been "questions" regarding benefits and that "the system has holes." He said that the new regulations "will be appropriate and will protect everyone."

Mr. DiNapoli also explained that the state comptroller's office, his office, manages the state's retirement fund, the eighth largest such fund worldwide. "We have a very professional staff," he noted. And he said that they do try to keep employee contributions down.

The audit function of the comptroller's office, Mr. DiNapoli said, is now putting a major focus on school districts. He emphasized that a lot of money is involved and that this type of audit has not been done in quite a while. "We are the watch dogs," he said. He added also that his office does not want to "nit pick," but also strive "to show good things ... and develop an inventory of the best practices."

Mr. DiNapoli further explained that his office provides all important "accountability, oversight and partnership."

Of course everyone at the GNVOA meeting wanted to hear their friend's comments on his job. Said Comptroller DiNapoli, "It's a great job ... I miss everyone very much, but Great Neck is still my home ... and now I'm enjoying this big, beautiful, incredible state ..."

Mr. DiNapoli also spoke about local government, saying "local government is always there ... I have a very positive feeling towards local government and the people there ... you're in it for the right reasons ... you never let your supporters down ... and you can make a difference ..."

As he concluded, Great Neck's Tom DiNapoli said: "It's a privilege to be in government ... and I could not have gotten here without your support and your help, as I learned ..."