Last week Minority Leader Peter Schmitt wrote a column in the Anton Community Newspapers titled the "Legislative Minority Report." The report did not even touch on a single legislative accomplishment or initiative his party has put forth in recent weeks. Instead he took the opportunity to make partisan attacks, rather than positive suggestions.

As I write this letter our county is trying to dig its way out of an economic crisis that the county executive and the current legislative majority inherited following an era of Republican failures. Legislator Schmitt mentioned hastily approving county contracts, meanwhile there is a very public court case involving the former leaders of his party and the BPA, and the subsequent loss of approximately $70 million, all of which occurred under the Gulotta Administration - a Schmitt led legislative majority.

More importantly, as I write this letter our nation is at war. This is a unique war for the citizens of Nassau County, because for the first time since World War II our homeland is a potential battleground and there is no denying the New York metropolitan area feels particularly vulnerable, for obvious reasons. Meanwhile Legislator Schmitt led his GOP faction to oppose the creation of the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management. Instead of taking part in a proactive bipartisan government Legislator Schmitt has led the charge in obstructionist government.

I am proud that since County Executive Tom Suozzi and the Democratic Majority have been in place, we have been upgraded in rating by the Standard and Poors and Moodys, and have received a positive outlook. Our proactive approach has accomplished in a short time the turn around of a county, which was at the brink of bankruptcy under GOP rule.

My suggestion to Mr. Schmitt is either to get on board with us to move Nassau forward or get out of the way.

Judy Jacobs

Majority Leader of the Legislature