Dawidziak: Don't abandon Levy's policies

Steve Levy's announcement last week that he wouldn't seek a third term as Suffolk County executive naturally raised questions about the future direction of county leadership. In such difficult economic times, these questions are vitally important. Counties across the country face ominous financial challenges, and many are considering declaring bankruptcy.

Not so here in Suffolk. Levy's tightfisted policies have left the county in a strong financial position. His programs of competitive bidding, government restructuring and cost-saving have put Suffolk on strong footing. Even more significant to the residents, he did it without raising taxes.

For the sake of full disclosure, let me point out that I have been a campaign adviser to Levy, and my wife is employed by Suffolk County as its director of real estate. And as I detailed in a column after the State of the County address last month, I think Levy has been a strong leader for Suffolk.

Levy's policies have also gained large overall popular support among the voters. In a poll my firm did in February, his approval rating was an overall 63 percent with -- even more telling -- an approval rating of 67 percent among swing, moderate independent voters. It would be a costly mistake to abandon or try to derail policies so highly approved of by the citizens of the county.

Unfortunately, his announcement of not running and the forfeiture of his campaign account, combined with the subsequent all-but-total blackout of information coming from any county agency about the investigation by Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota, has raised more questions than we have answers. In an agreement with Spota, there were no details revealed on what would make Levy give up his political career and war chest -- except that Levy did not receive any personal financial gains from the campaign fundraising that was at the center of Spota's investigation.

We also know that come Jan. 1, Suffolk will have a new county executive. And we know that whoever it is will have a tough act to follow.

What's less clear is how well the county government will operate over the next nine months. The remainder of Levy's term is a critical time, when much good work can be continued and accomplished.

Levy has often had a contentious relationship with the county legislature and other elected officials in Suffolk. Some are speculating that this will only get worse now that they know that he is a lame duck. This certainly doesn't have to be the case, however, and for the sake of county residents we can only hope it isn't. The legislators know that Levy's policies are popular and effective. Even if they don't want him to get the credit, they have to know it is crucial that his sound fiscal policies continue.

Maybe, just maybe, the imperative to be combative is gone. Those who wanted Levy gone from county government have gotten their wish. Both parties now have to devote much time, energy and resources toward trying to elect their respective standard bearers in November. Attacking Levy -- in essence, attacking his popular fiscal policies -- could backfire politically.

More important, county residents may rightly worry that Suffolk will fall into the reckless spending habits that are so much the norm among municipalities around the country. The good that has been accomplished over the last 7 1/2 years can be undone very quickly. While new initiatives will surely be introduced between now and the end of the year, this time should also be used to ensure that programs promoting economic sanity are maintained.

Political squabbling and infighting are inevitable outgrowths of a democratic form of government born of a free society. They are made even worse whenever there's a hint of scandal. Differences of opinion and personal animosity often translate into vindictive rhetoric. But these times demand that our county officials put these baser instincts on the shelf, and put responsibilities to their office and their constituents first.