I am writing in response to Peter Schmitt's dishonest attacks on my record. In my first term in office working with Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and the Democratic Majority in the Legislature, we have balanced the budget, added 320 more police officers, reduced crime to its lowest level in 30 years, and saved the county from fiscal ruin, all without raising taxes. When Mr. Schmitt was in control, Nassau County was facing a state takeover, nearly bankrupt, $3 billion in debt, and had a bond rating one step above junk. In 1998 alone, Mr. Schmitt passed a budget with a $300 million deficit. What did Mr. Schmitt's leadership get us? We were rated the worst run county in America by the Maxwell School of Public Policy and Governing Magazine, just four short years ago. Clearly, Mr. Schmitt lacks credibility when discussing issues of governance.

Mr. Schmitt's politics of fear denigrates the hard work that our police officers are doing to keep our communities safe. He disrespects them and all they do to protect us when he tries to mislead us. Nassau County is the safest municipality of its size in the United States of America. In March, Nassau County had a class of 144 new police officers graduate from the academy. There are 150 recruits scheduled to graduate from the academy this fall, with another class ready to be sworn in immediately. His shameful attempt to scare the residents of our community is partisan politics at its worst.

Mr. Schmitt's attacks on my record of bringing government accountability back by holding 19 town hall meetings are shameful. While Mr. Schmitt issued a press release on the Massapequa Preserve restoration, I was fulfilling my obligation to the voters by keeping them informed and soliciting feedback in a community forum. The real issues facing Nassau County demand real leadership, not politicians that put rhetoric above effective governing.

Legislator Dave Mejias