The 19 members of the Nassau County Legislature who were inducted in the Jan. 3 ceremony at Nassau Community College, represented by Majority Leader Judy Jacobs and Minority Leader Peter Schmitt and other political party powerhouses, vowed not to let partisanship get in the way of solving the county fiscal problems which led to the shift in power from the Republicans to the Democrats on the legislature.

Although the purpose of the ceremony was to swear in the 10 Democrats and nine Republicans, many of those who spoke at the induction used it as an opportunity to encourage the legislators to work together, despite party lines and other differences, to solve the budget shortfall which has been credited as the reason why five Republican legislators lost their seats in the November election.

State Comptroller Carl McCall, a Democrat, who recently warned the county that their budget shortfall may reach $190 million in this fiscal year, told the legislators, "Each of you has the power to restore confidence in government," and encouraged them to "get down to the business of governing." He noted that teamwork is needed for the county to solve its problems.

On the other side of the party line, Republican County Executive Thomas Gulotta, also encouraged partnership and cooperation for the sake of the citizens. He went on to speak about the positive points in the county's favor and recognized that "there are legitimate issues that must be addressed." Gulotta went on to say, "Political parties don't solve problems, people solve problems." In a show of political unity, the county executive called up the new majority leader, Jacobs, who received a standing ovation and new minority leader, Schmitt, and held up their hands, saying, "This is the secret of our success. I welcome you to a new beginning."

Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, a Democrat, was also among those who congratulated the legislators who have taken on the task of taking the county into the new millennium and reminding them that there must be a bipartisan government in order to find the solutions to the county's problems.

Senator Charles Schumer (D), marveled at the greatness of the day, not only for Nassau County but for America, declaring that it is the orderly transfer of power from one party to another in America that the rest of the world envies. He also encouraged the legislators not to rush to judgment, to take their time in working through the problems of the county. "It is better to do it right than to do it fast," said Schumer, who added that it took the county a long time to get into the hole it is in so there may not be a quick way to get out of it.

Republican Congressman Peter King, jokingly began by thanking the county for inviting him to "this Democratic convention." Like Democrats who spoke before him and the county executive, King also spoke about the challenge facing the legislators as they seek to find solutions to Nassau County's fiscal woes.

King inducted Schmitt, of Massapequa, as minority leader, while Schumer inducted Jacobs, of Woodbury, as majority leader.

Schmitt began his remarks on a light note, stating that four years ago 19 men and women began as the Nassau County Legislature, with a 13 to 6 Republican majority and then two years ago the Republicans gained one seat, and now, two years later lost five seats, stating, "I can assure you that from the Republican point of view, we thought the first two indications were better." On a more serious note, Schmitt spoke about the beginning stages of the legislature and what an accomplishment it was for them to get themselves up and running between the November elections in 1995 and the swearing in less than two months later, in January 1996. He noted that when they were elected the legislature did not have so much as pens, pencils, files, or phones.

It was under the leadership of former Majority Leader Bruce Blakeman, who lost his November re-election campaign, that, according to Schmitt, the legislature was born and racked up a number of accomplishments including the Public Benefits Corporation which ensures the availability of health care to the poor and uninsured, the creation of LIPA which reduced electric rates, the creation of Hewlett House which is the first ever Breast Cancer Resource Learning Center in the US, and more. Schmitt went on to wish Blakeman luck and to thank him for what he did for the county.

Schmitt noted that the residents of Nassau County spoke powerfully in the November elections, telling the legislators that they want a county that is more fiscally responsible that will continue to provide the level of services that they have without increasing taxes. Schmitt stated, "I intend to lead this Republican Conference back to the traditional Republican roots. We will once again be the advocates of less government, less regulation, and less taxes." He went on to congratulate the new majority leader and suggested they work together for the benefit of the residents of the county.

Noting that the Democrats and the legislature as a whole had some very hard work ahead of them, Jacobs accepted that challenge and vowed to make sure that the county continue with the services that the residents have come to expect while working toward fiscal balance. "We have been presented with as difficult a task as any incoming government could imagine," said the new majority leader, adding that she will address not only the fiscal challenges but the other needs of the county, including the environment, education, health, transportation and more.

It was partisan bickering and finger pointing, according to Jacobs, that caused Republican voters to get fed up with their party and vote for a change. Jacobs stated, "It is my determination to bring my Republican colleagues, Tom Gulotta and Peter Schmitt, to the table of dialogue and discussion so that together we can see that bipartisan problem solving is transformed from a slogan into a reality in Nassau County."

Jacobs vowed to keep the public informed as the legislature works toward their goals. "I pledge to the people of Nassau County that we will confront the challenges ahead of us with determination and with a humility of the spirit. You the people have given us the mandate to bring this county back to the financially secure, socially progressive beacon that it has always been known for. I ask that we be given the wisdom to see and the strength to endure as you, the people, have given us the right to prevail," concluded Jacobs.