Bellone hires 2 ex-Nassau officials

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has hired two ex-Nassau County officials.

John O'Neill, most recently an aide to Nassau GOP Comptroller George Maragos, replaces Ed Hernandez, who was fired last month as deputy social services commissioner. O'Neill had been Brookhaven's top fiscal aide.

O'Neill will make $125,000 a year -- $3,000 more than Hernandez, considered a housing expert. Bellone aides noted O'Neill, once chief deputy under ex-Nassau Executive Thomas Suozzi, worked for two years in Nassau's social services department.

Barry Paul, former director of performance management for Nassau, replaces Republican Janet DeMarzo, who retired as a deputy health commissioner. Both appointees will focus on improving agency job performance, said Deputy County Executive Jon Schneider.-- Rick Brand