From the desk of Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton: March 8, 2012

The Police Precinct Vote

I would like the county to be able to lower costs in every area of the budget… without hurting the taxpayers I was elected to represent.

The problem in the case of Mangano’s police precinct plan, however, is that the county executive has spent more energy convincing the public that this plan will work than he has spent on putting together a complete and clear plan for legislators to vote on.

A Bird’s Eye View: March 1, 2012

Notes From a Florida Beach

Longboat Key, Florida has a two-mile strip of beach that encompasses Whitney Beach and the key’s northernmost tip, called Beer Can Island. I walk it almost every morning in winter and take notes about what I see and feel. Based on those notes this is what that beach looked and felt like for five days this January.

Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: March 1, 2012

N.Y.P.D.

I was listening to John Gambling on WOR, 710 on the AM dial. Peter King, the Long Island congressman, was speaking to Ray Kelly, the police commissioner of New York City. They were discussing the brouhaha about the N.Y.P.D.’s attending mosques in New Jersey to get information of proposed terrorism.

The most interesting point was that the primary function of government is to protect the people. The ancient method was in the Middle Ages when the serfs withdrew nightly into the castle. This was to protect them against the marauding bands of thieves and murderers who preyed upon the land.

Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: February 23, 2012

Shooting Stars

I am enthralled by the Jeremy Lin scenario!

He has captured New York and in one fantastic stroke, revived the memories of Knicks fans to days of previous glory. It is a Horatio Alger story with an Asian Twist. The hero is a Taiwan born, Harvard educated, sky, conservative, soft-spoken, young lad, named Jeremy Lin. He has reached beyond all political boundaries and became everybody’s hero.

He has accomplished all this in a sport not used to seeing Asians on professional basketball teams. He has held his ground and not lost his sense of humor and his bearings. As a septuagenarian sports nut I have seen many “shooting stars” in my day. Some have lasted through long professional careers and some have petered and flamed out. I fervently hope this does not happen to Jeremy.

From the Desk of The Nassau County Executive: February 22, 2012

Nassau’s New Community Policing Plan

Earlier this month, along with Police Commissioner Thomas Dale, I submitted to the County Legislature a Community Policing (COP) Plan that reassigns 48 police officers from desk jobs to community policing positions. This plan includes the transformation of four current precincts into new Community Policing Centers to be located throughout the county, with a police presence maintained at all current locations. These Centers will have police officers posted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will have community rooms for residents to visit and for the police to host neighborhood meetings.

Keeping the families and senior citizens of Nassau County safe is my number one priority and this plan improves public safety, while increasing accountability and protecting our residents’ wallets.

Letter: Stand up for Tolerance, Advocate Education and Peace

In the January 20 issue of the Tribune, an article appeared reporting on a hate crime forum attended by several of our local elected officials. Subsequently, in the February 3 issue of the Tribune, newly elected Nassau County Legislator, Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, contributed an Op-Ed piece about the forum.

Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: February 16, 2012

2012 – An Election Year

This November 6, we are going to the election booths all over the United States to select a president. Our system, under the Constitution, declares that an election is to be held every four years.

The Democrats and Republicans are preparing for a hotly contested race. The Democrats have an incumbent and the Republicans are in a close contest to find a suitable candidate.

I would like to review all the presidents I remember since my birth in October 1934.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was president for the first 11 years of my life. He was a great orator and led the U.S. through  World War II, with his fireside speeches.

Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: February 9, 2012

Teamwork

Our wonderful NY Giants have defeated the big bad boys from New England under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick on Sunday, Feb. 5, in Indianapolis. When questioned by the media, (television and radio) the Giants all used one word to reply  how they accomplished this difficult task. The word they repeated was “teamwork.”

The offensive and defensive players on the Giants kept repeating this phrase. It was certainly a compliment to Tom Coughlin and his staff of coaches that brought this praise.

The game was back and forth with both teams having the lead for short periods. When Mario Manningham made that impossible and miraculous catch and kept both feet in bounds late in the game the Giants fans grew hopeful. A field goal at that point would have resulted in a one point lead. But the passing of Eli Manning and the slashing running of Jacobs and Bradshaw worked for a touchdown and a 21-17 final score.

Letter: No Raises Across the Board

Too many American’s didn’t get a raise this year, and I don’t think Members of Congress should either. That’s why I supported and helped pass legislation to freeze Congressional salaries for the fourth year in a row.

As our economy continues on a slow recovery, Long Island families are still trying to do more with less. Too many middle class workers have been caught in a job search for far too long, and those who do have jobs are worried about keeping them. Although the unemployment rate fell to 8.3 percent last month – the lowest it’s been in three years – we still have a lot of work to do. I believe we need to focus on how to get the American people raises before we pass our own.

Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: February 2, 2012

Persistence

Persistence takes many forms.

Not all persistent behavior is human or mortal!

Three days ago, I readjusted a picture in the bathroom. It was a present from my cousin, Maury the artist, and it kept tipping over until it was askew. It would disturb my equilibrium every time I encountered it. Just a little tip at the bottom right edge would align it properly. But three days later it was obstinately crooked again. Was I fighting an unknown devil who was trying to torture me?

Speaking of constant, dogged forces, I must declare the will of my grandchild Alexander. Even though he is two-and-a-half years old, when he takes your hand and wants to direct you someplace, you had better go. He will not release your hand until you follow him to his destination. He is very strong for his age and he will win out eventually.