Mangano axes 18, most in homeless services

The administration of Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano fired 18 people late last week, mainly from the housing and homeless services office.

Connie Lassandro, who has headed the Section 8 and Homeless Program for the past 10 years, said the firings came without notice. "I was called late Thursday morning and told, 'Thank you for everything you've done, and this isn't personal, but we no longer require your services,' " she said.

Ten of her assistants were also fired, as were four deputy county attorneys, two Office of Management and Budget workers and one who was listed as a criminal justice employee.

In explaining the firings, Brian Nevin, Mangano's chief spokesman, said Monday, "After a thorough review of operations, it became clear that a change in the department was necessary to improve the services provided to our residents."

He added that the 11 federally funded housing employees would be replaced, but not the others.

Lassandro charged that the firings were political. "They never discussed any of this with me or my people," she said. "We were the people who knew what they were doing, how to keep these programs running and in line with federal guidelines. They have just put the people we serve at risk."

Nevin responded: "If this change was political, Ms. Lassandro would have been fired over a year ago."

Roslyn Heights' Marge Rogatz, president of Community Advocates, a nonprofit advocacy group, expressed concern.

"Housing providers and advocates are concerned about whether the replacements have the training and experience needed to run these programs, which bring $50 million into the county annually and serve many, many thousands of people," she said, adding that the programs don't cost the county a penny.

County Legis. Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) called Lassandro's ouster "serious. Very sad news. Connie is respected throughout the state, and this could jeopardize some federal funding."