It totally amazes me that Minority Leader Peter Schmitt is using his so-called "Minority Report" column in the Anton Publications as a political vehicle, every other week, filled with inaccuracies and, worst of all, incredibly unbelievable attacks.

Let us all remember how Nassau County found itself at one level above junk bond status at the hands of a Republican Majority on the legislature where Peter Schmitt as deputy presiding officer championed the entire Gulotta agenda and debacle. Their total disregard for proper fiscal responsibility led the electorate to choose a Democrat, Tom Suozzi, for county executive, after two years before, electing Democrats to lead the legislature.

Since the Suozzi team has been at work we have received upgrades from Standard and Poors, Moodys and Fitch and our negative outlook has turned into a positive one by Wall Street. We are truly moving Nassau forward and based on the nonsensical rhetoric in Schmitt's columns, the Republicans are scrambling in an election year.

To devote a large portion of the column to the "Horses of a Different Color" project, focusing on a horse, which an artist painted in a patriotic theme, is totally ridiculous. The idea came from a 9-year-old little girl who felt, in these difficult times that this would be a wonderful idea. Her father commissioned an artist to follow her design. Considering that we live in a world with the American flag appearing on shirts, pants, kerchiefs, pocketbooks, umbrellas, etc., the Republicans are sadly attacking the patriotism of a young student. How ridiculous!

Further, to attack the creation of an Office of Emergency Management which has been formed (with no vote from the Republican Minority) to help coordinate efforts following the tragedy of 9/11, shows absolutely no sense of urgency of the need for coordination in these stressful times.

Finally, to attack us in calling the Majority "10 dogs" is an insult to the intelligence of the voters. The Republicans are claiming that they are now the ones fighting to reduce the burden on taxpayers. This is nonsense. They should have worried about that when they were the majority in the first four years of the legislature.

We recognize our responsibility to keep Nassau moving forward. We are proud of the road we have chosen and reassured by the recognition of independent agencies on Wall Street.

Mr. Schmitt and minority members, shame on you.

Judy Jacobs

Presiding Officer

Nassau County Legislature