Tom Suozzi: the seeds of political defeat

[Gov. Dome]

Nassau to examine tax assessment issue
BY CELESTE HADRICK

celeste.hadrick@newsday.com

9:16 PM EDT, July 13, 2009

Nassau Legis. Wayne Wink (D-Roslyn) said Monday he will call a hearing in the next few weeks to examine Nassau's troubled property tax assessment system, which generates $90 million in tax refunds because of inaccurate values.

Wink, who is chairman of the legislature's Government Services Committee, said the focus will be on a recent report by Assessor Ted Jankowski, appointed by County Executive Thomas Suozzi in January, and a Newsday story Monday that highlighted the problems of big-ticket commercial tax challenges.

Legis. David Denenberg (D-Merrick), vice chairman of the committee, agreed a hearing is needed. "If the solutions are not coming administratively, it may be that we will force them legislatively," he said.

More than 80 percent of Nassau's refunds go to commercial property owners, who have filed about 18,000 protests each year for the past two decades.

The commercial cases often drag on for years, increasing the county liability while inflating fees of tax attorneys, who collect 15 to 40 percent of the refunds. From 2003 through 2008, Jankowski estimated the top 11 tax challenge firms collected $134 million in fees. About 10,000 of more than 41,000 pending protests date back six years or more.

Even when an assessment was reduced, the attorneys say, the county would immediately increase it again, which prompted yet another protest.

Presiding Officer Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove) said, "A hearing may provide useful input into the assessment issue. Ted Jankowski inherited a huge problem, that was decades in the making."

Jankowski said he would be happy to attend. "Transparency is the key," he said.

Legis. Ed Mangano (R-Bethpage), who is challenging Suozzi this fall, said Republicans have asked for a hearing on assessments for six years. He said the millions spent on refunds each year could have restored services and prevented tax increases. To prevent delays, he and Denenberg separately have proposed the county get an appraisal when a large commercial protest is filed and then reduce the assessment if the appraisal is lower than the county's value.

Denenberg also said the county attorney should immediately ask attorneys for their evidence and then ask the court to compel the information - and if it's not produced, seek dismissal. "That's what private litigators do," he said. "They don't wait seven years."

The county attorney, Lorna Goodman, has said she waits to see what cases will proceed, noting many are not pursued.

Copyright © 2009, Newsday Inc.

[Tax Assessor Levinson]

Since 2002 when Nassau County was taken over by Nassau County Democrats and Tax Certiorari remains out of control with Nassau County bleeding more than $90 million annually.

Let's take a look at the Top tax-challenge law firms based on total legal fees from 2003-2008
Koeppel Martone Leistman $33,116,258
Siegel Fenchel & Peddy $21,285,511
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman $18,540,812
Forchelli,Curto,Crowe,Deegan,etc.. $16,417,493
Cullen, Dyckman, Bleakley Platt $11,213,864
MEYER, SUOZZI, ENGLISH & KLEIN $10,634,009

Isn't the Deegan of Forchelli, Curto, Crowe, Deegan - Dan Deegan who I thought was Tom Suozzi's personal lawyer?

Put Deegan's law firm and Meyer Suozzi English and Klein together and you would have received over $27 million in legal fees.

Suozzi told anyone who would listen in 2006 after getting re-elected in 2005 as County Executive that He, Tom Suozzi, fixed Nassau County.

I guess fixed should have an asterisk to let taxpayers know that it does not apply to Tax Certiorari and the fact that Nassau County is now borrowing through debt to pay tax certs.

Why should Suozzi fix Tax certs when they are clearly benefitting his family and friends law firms?

[Mineola Observer]

And...Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman informs taxpayers and the Nassau County Legislature that Tax receipts are significantly lower with a threat of another $85 million Operating budget deficit for 2009.

Again - I thought Tom Suozzi fixed our Nassau County Financial problems?

[adios TOM]

Dear TOM,
I don't know how many c/o's live in your corrupt county, but I'm sure you can guess who we will be voting for come fall!

Yours truly,
BRATTTTTTT!!!!!

[Gov. Dome]

Since 2002 when Nassau County was taken over by Nassau County Democrats and Tax Certiorari remains out of control with Nassau County bleeding more than $90 million annually.

Let's take a look at the Top tax-challenge law firms based on total legal fees from 2003-2008
Koeppel Martone Leistman $33,116,258
Siegel Fenchel & Peddy $21,285,511
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman $18,540,812
Forchelli,Curto,Crowe,Deegan,etc.. $16,417,493
Cullen, Dyckman, Bleakley Platt $11,213,864
MEYER, SUOZZI, ENGLISH & KLEIN $10,634,009

Isn't the Deegan of Forchelli, Curto, Crowe, Deegan - Dan Deegan who I thought was Tom Suozzi's personal lawyer?

Put Deegan's law firm and Meyer Suozzi English and Klein together and you would have received over $27 million in legal fees.

Suozzi told anyone who would listen in 2006 after getting re-elected in 2005 as County Executive that He, Tom Suozzi, fixed Nassau County.

I guess fixed should have an asterisk to let taxpayers know that it does not apply to Tax Certiorari and the fact that Nassau County is now borrowing through debt to pay tax certs.

Why should Suozzi fix Tax certs when they are clearly benefitting his family and friends law firms?

"If anything, they're unhappy because I'm trying to dismantle the system" said the county executive (Suozzi). "I'm trying to put them out of business in this area, along with every other firm that does this type of business."

How many elected terms will it take Suozzi to fix Tax Certiorari? 5 or 6 terms?

Does anyone really believe Suozzi wo will be seeking to become Governor Paterson's Lieutenant Governor in 2010?

[Unregistered C McNulty]

Since 2002 when Nassau County was taken over by Nassau County Democrats and Tax Certiorari remains out of control with Nassau County bleeding more than $90 million annually.

Let's take a look at the Top tax-challenge law firms based on total legal fees from 2003-2008
Koeppel Martone Leistman $33,116,258
Siegel Fenchel & Peddy $21,285,511
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman $18,540,812
Forchelli,Curto,Crowe,Deegan,etc.. $16,417,493
Cullen, Dyckman, Bleakley Platt $11,213,864
MEYER, SUOZZI, ENGLISH & KLEIN $10,634,009

Isn't the Deegan of Forchelli, Curto, Crowe, Deegan - Dan Deegan who I thought was Tom Suozzi's personal lawyer?

Put Deegan's law firm and Meyer Suozzi English and Klein together and you would have received over $27 million in legal fees.

Suozzi told anyone who would listen in 2006 after getting re-elected in 2005 as County Executive that He, Tom Suozzi, fixed Nassau County.

I guess fixed should have an asterisk to let taxpayers know that it does not apply to Tax Certiorari and the fact that Nassau County is now borrowing through debt to pay tax certs.

Why should Suozzi fix Tax certs when they are clearly benefitting his family and friends law firms?

This is the same law firm, Crow, Deegan, Forcelli and Curto, that the county executive got Leg. Scannell and his bride a job with, when Leg. Scannell agreed to stop opposing the CE on the nunley carousel location and taking him on on various issues.

[Voting 4 Browne]

This is the same law firm, Crow, Deegan, Forcelli and Curto, that the county executive got Leg. Scannell and his bride a job with, when Leg. Scannell agreed to stop opposing the CE on the nunley carousel location and taking him on on various issues.

because the Nassau County taxpayers in Scannell's district have none.

Assuming what you have posted is accurate, what role does Scannell's wife have with the lawfirm? Is she a lawyer?

[Mineola Observer]

The Albany Times Union

The Ultimate Dis?
July 24, 2006 at 2:13 pm by Elizabeth Benjamin

Nassau County Legislator Craig Johnson and AG Eliot Spitzer face the cameras in Mineola 6/2/06.
Nassau County Legislator Craig Johnson, an unabashed Eliot Spitzer supporter, took a swipe at Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi today, likening him to his GOP predecessor, Tom Gulotta, for using some 132 county employees to help gather signatures for his nominating petitions.

Ouch. To be equated with someone many Nassau County voters consider synonymous with the worst sort of machine politics has gotta sting - if only just a little - a self-styled reformer like Suozzi.

Of course, you also have to consider the source. Johnson has contributed $10,000 to Spitzer’s gubernatorial campaign, and was at the AG’s side back in June when Spitzer was confronted by Suozzi as his post-convention bus tour stopped at the Mineola train station.

Johnson said he plans to bring the employees/petition gatherers up today at a 2:30 p.m. meeting of the Legislature’s Government Services Committee. He’s going to be asking who “ordered” the workers to gather signatures (Suozzi’s people insist it was strictly on a volunteer basis) and whether timesheets back up the claim that the petition circulating was done on personal - not county - time.

The issue of timesheets must be an uncomfortable one for the Suozzi camp, since the trial of a former Nassau County parks clerk who was indicted for alledgedly falsifying time sheets, is scheduled to start in October. The clerk, Shomwa Shamapande, has alleged through his attorney that Suozzi put him on the public payroll to do political work.

WHAT THIS ARTICLE FAILS TO MENTION IS THAT SUOZZI THEN USED THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURY TO PROVIDE OVER $1 MILLION IN ALLEGED "PERFROMANCE BONUSES" TO NASSAU COUNTY EMPLOYEES. MANY PEOPLE NOTICED HOW A DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF DISCRETIONARY BONUSES WENT TO EMPLOYEES WHO ALSO HAPPENED TO HAVE WORKED ON SUOZZI'S FAILED GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN.

[Frisa and LeBoutillier]

The Albany Times Union

The Ultimate Dis?
July 24, 2006 at 2:13 pm by Elizabeth Benjamin

Nassau County Legislator Craig Johnson and AG Eliot Spitzer face the cameras in Mineola 6/2/06.
Nassau County Legislator Craig Johnson, an unabashed Eliot Spitzer supporter, took a swipe at Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi today, likening him to his GOP predecessor, Tom Gulotta, for using some 132 county employees to help gather signatures for his nominating petitions.

Ouch. To be equated with someone many Nassau County voters consider synonymous with the worst sort of machine politics has gotta sting - if only just a little - a self-styled reformer like Suozzi.

Of course, you also have to consider the source. Johnson has contributed $10,000 to Spitzer’s gubernatorial campaign, and was at the AG’s side back in June when Spitzer was confronted by Suozzi as his post-convention bus tour stopped at the Mineola train station.

Johnson said he plans to bring the employees/petition gatherers up today at a 2:30 p.m. meeting of the Legislature’s Government Services Committee. He’s going to be asking who “ordered” the workers to gather signatures (Suozzi’s people insist it was strictly on a volunteer basis) and whether timesheets back up the claim that the petition circulating was done on personal - not county - time.

The issue of timesheets must be an uncomfortable one for the Suozzi camp, since the trial of a former Nassau County parks clerk who was indicted for alledgedly falsifying time sheets, is scheduled to start in October. The clerk, Shomwa Shamapande, has alleged through his attorney that Suozzi put him on the public payroll to do political work.

WHAT THIS ARTICLE FAILS TO MENTION IS THAT SUOZZI THEN USED THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURY TO PROVIDE OVER $1 MILLION IN ALLEGED "PERFROMANCE BONUSES" TO NASSAU COUNTY EMPLOYEES. MANY PEOPLE NOTICED HOW A DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF DISCRETIONARY BONUSES WENT TO EMPLOYEES WHO ALSO HAPPENED TO HAVE WORKED ON SUOZZI'S FAILED GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN.

Until the average voter gets riled, nothing will change. Too many people have drunk the Kool-Aid and still believe he's their savior, no matter the truth.

Also, when the opposing message is given by a bunch of same-old-same-old lock-step obstructionist GOP faces, then the people dismiss the message because of the messenger.

Let's get new GOP faces to bring the message to the people. Then Suozzi and his cohorts will be brought down.

[emangano2009]

http://www.edmangano.com/images/A.jpg

[Unregisteredobm]

.......
Let's get new GOP faces to bring the message to the people. Then Suozzi and his cohorts will be brought down.

The problem is the Nassau GOP appears to be run by the same politicians for many years. There is nothing new about that.

[I was once a Repubican]

http://www.edmangano.com/images/A.jpg

Wow!!! A full blown photo of the Mondello puppet. Nauseating.

[Political Questions]

Wow!!! A full blown photo of the Mondello puppet. Nauseating.

The political winds have shifted; the winds that once flew at the back of President Barack Obama, the Clintons, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are now in the process of changing. The challenge of being the majority Political Party have now become the basis for many voters to doubt the very solutions the Democrats are proposing.

In Nassau County, where Nassau Democrats have secured every elected post and are the majority in the Nassau County Legislature, and have been in power for eight years. Nassau County should be the easiest place on earth for Republicans to make an earnest attempt to regain political power at the expense of their political opponents 8 years of questionable decisions.

If the political races in Nassau County go to Republicans, NYS and Nassau County Chairman Joseph Mondello and Nassau County Republicans will enjoy some well earned vindication after eight long years in the Minority.

However - should the political races in Nassau County end up not being contested, should Tom Suozzi and the Nassau Democrats retain the majority and key County positions including the majority of the legislature by wide margins, I believe there will be palpable anger directed at the Nassau County GOP Leadership.

[Edddy's Mirror]

The trouble with Ed Mag is that he is a DOPE, for want of a better term.
Also, if it walks lke a duck, smells lik a Duk..well you know
He and Kate Murray kind of match each other in both traits.

Remember Peterson, and the jerk with out the socks, ?
I see history repeating Hail Swozzle
Tom can do whatever he wants in Nassau
Too bad The rest of NY think he stinks, for want of a better term
Tom Tomm will never leave.
So kiss his Butt and then your significant other!!
Bye for now Repub loozers

[eddies mmirror]

Ed Mag is a DOPE
Swozzio has 50 times more dough $$
Tommie's Turd has more chance than Ed

That's it
Put Toomi Turd on working famili line
Then Ed can come in 4th

Ed should run for Little India shoe shin boy
He loves his curry

[Unregistered2500]

I guess the dumocrats hired some interns to put stupid comments on this website. How brite those kids are!

[eddi mirrorr]

Lets not get personal
Itt's A Fact Ed Maggot is a DOPE

Why? It z that funny wrinkle that gives him away
Corbin could beat him
He is stupider than Corbin
At least Roger tries to steal

Ed is dummer than Denis Dunmb of Levittown
Denny knows he's not the sharpest
He shot HIMSELF in the foot in the NAm

Ed" Whats a NAm??

[Truth Hurts Don't It]

So you admire stealing? You are definitely a democrat. Not an honest one amoung you.

[edds tutoe]

I'm a GOP
Why can't they put up a cacdidayte wit a normal IQ
Like me
Joe Mondello is a macaroni snapper

Truth fully Ed Mangot is a DOPE
Swozzi will wipe him out

[eddds a DOPE]

Listen he stands for more Desi biznes failure
Why does he like orange chicken??

Because it's dark yello like the stripe on his bak
Why can't mago go away?
He's a dope
Hell get lost

Swozzi will clean up Heroin and Mangi

[ed is]

bnrighter and nice than suozzi. he works for that law firm tho.....

[Unregisteredkhjkljhlkjhkl]

So you admire stealing? You are definitely a democrat. Not an honest one amoung you.

No honest Democrats in politics
No honest Republicans either
screwed either way

I like ED better but Suozzi will win. He has more $$ and the Republicans
aren't doing much for Mangano. It really makes you wonder why.