Fiscal issues dominate Glen Cove elections

Few local races in Nassau County can claim as much familiarity between candidates as the bid to be Glen Cove mayor.

Republican challenger Paul Meli, an attorney, first ran against Democrat Ralph Suozzi in 2009, and is married to one of the mayor's distant cousins.

But it is Meli's constant presence at City Council meetings -- legal pad in hand, often turning public sessions into debates -- that brings him the most face time with the mayor.

"He's a lawyer, and he treats every opportunity at a council meeting like I'm on trial," said Suozzi, seeking his fourth two-year term. "If this were a court case, he'd try to strike all the evidence that shows I've saved the city money and brought in new revenue."

Budget matters are central to the Glen Cove election, where all six City Council seats are also up for vote. Because the city has been operating under deficit financing, it is required to submit its annual budget to the state comptroller's office.

The comptroller's office last week said the city's 2012 budget didn't sufficiently address the remaining $5 million general fund deficit and may overestimate some revenue.

Suozzi, 55, touts being able to lower the accumulated debt and annual operating deficit he inherited in 2006, despite the economy's downturn.

In 2008, the mayor transferred the city's sewer treatment plant to Nassau County, saving about $4 million annually, and last year started third-party ambulance billing, estimated to bring in $600,000 per year.

Meli, 60, says those measures are outweighed by the city consistently raising taxes and failing to control other spending. He cited the full health benefits offered to part-time council members and generous awarding of consulting contracts.

"There's a lot more we can do," he said, noting that without financing, the deficit likely would have grown during Suozzi's tenure. "We can cut spending across the board and eliminate waste and patronage positions."

Taxes and spending are also key issues in Nassau's other town elections. All three towns will elect a supervisor, tax receiver and three board members. Hempstead and Oyster Bay also will choose a town clerk, and Long Beach will pick three city council members.

In Oyster Bay, incumbent supervisor Republican John Venditto is being challenged by Democrat John E. Capobianco.

Oyster Bay Republicans, who hold elected town positions, say they've overseen numerous park, beach and athletic field improvements while keeping taxes down. But opponents say a credit agency's recent downgrade of the town's bond rating shows the town is borrowing too much.

In Hempstead, Democrat Gary B. Port is challenging incumbent Republican Kate Murray for supervisor.

Hempstead challengers deride the results of a longtime single-party rule in the town, while incumbent Republicans champion their fiscally conservative budgets that have lowered debt.

Incumbent North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman, a Democrat, faces Republican Lee Tu.

The Democratic North Hempstead leaders point to the town's environmental initiatives and worker efficiency measures. Republican challengers say the government is rife with mismanagement.