Howardissinking
09-07-2005, 12:01 AM
Candidate attacks program publicity
BY CELESTE HADRICK
STAFF WRITER
September 7, 2005
When strolling through the Port Washington street fair in May, Nassau comptroller candidate Donald Clavin said he caught a glimpse of a three-sided placard displaying incumbent Howard Weitzman's name and photo and thought it was part of a campaign booth.
Instead, it was touting Nassau Rx, the discount prescription drug program introduced by Weitzman last year, and the booth was manned by two county auditors on county time, Clavin said.
Clavin, a Republican, last week publicly blasted the Democrat comptroller for giving highly paid employees compensatory time or cash at time and a half to promote the program -- and himself -- at area carnivals when Weitzman had promised Nassau Rx would cost taxpayers nothing.
Clavin also questioned whether Weitzman has the legal authority to spend taxpayer money on the program, which is not part of the comptroller's duties under the Nassau charter.
While the goal of Nassau Rx "is positive," Clavin said, "lying to taxpayers and claiming that the program involves no cost to residents is shameful."
Evan Stavisky, a spokesman for Weitzman's campaign, said he didn't know if the auditors were paid time and a half, but added, "If some staff from the comptroller's office helped publicize a tremendous program that benefits county residents, then that doesn't constitute spending money."
Stavisky charged Clavin with making "partisan political attacks" in an attempt to divert attention from "his role in the Nassau County Republican machine that nearly drove the county into bankruptcy."
The year-old Nassau Rx program offers prescription drug discounts for county residents who don't have prescription drug coverage. Weitzman says it has saved Nassau residents $3 million so far.
Clavin said Weitzman promised in his press release about the program, in a speech he gave to the New York City Council and in testimony before Nassau legislators that there would be no cost to the county.
Because the program does not fall under the comptroller's duties outlined in the county charter, Clavin said, any money spent on it would have to be authorized by the county legislature.
While the legislature's Rules Committee did approve a contract for the program, its attached summary shows $0.00 as the county's costs.
Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) said she would leave the cost questions to Weitzman but chastised Clavin for making a "totally political attack on something that really has brought out some very good help to people who needed it the most."
Copyright 2005 Newsday Inc.
Yes, auditors sit in fairs instead of looking at the payroll. And if they choose the comp-time, they left early during the week. Is the legislature going to look into this........
BY CELESTE HADRICK
STAFF WRITER
September 7, 2005
When strolling through the Port Washington street fair in May, Nassau comptroller candidate Donald Clavin said he caught a glimpse of a three-sided placard displaying incumbent Howard Weitzman's name and photo and thought it was part of a campaign booth.
Instead, it was touting Nassau Rx, the discount prescription drug program introduced by Weitzman last year, and the booth was manned by two county auditors on county time, Clavin said.
Clavin, a Republican, last week publicly blasted the Democrat comptroller for giving highly paid employees compensatory time or cash at time and a half to promote the program -- and himself -- at area carnivals when Weitzman had promised Nassau Rx would cost taxpayers nothing.
Clavin also questioned whether Weitzman has the legal authority to spend taxpayer money on the program, which is not part of the comptroller's duties under the Nassau charter.
While the goal of Nassau Rx "is positive," Clavin said, "lying to taxpayers and claiming that the program involves no cost to residents is shameful."
Evan Stavisky, a spokesman for Weitzman's campaign, said he didn't know if the auditors were paid time and a half, but added, "If some staff from the comptroller's office helped publicize a tremendous program that benefits county residents, then that doesn't constitute spending money."
Stavisky charged Clavin with making "partisan political attacks" in an attempt to divert attention from "his role in the Nassau County Republican machine that nearly drove the county into bankruptcy."
The year-old Nassau Rx program offers prescription drug discounts for county residents who don't have prescription drug coverage. Weitzman says it has saved Nassau residents $3 million so far.
Clavin said Weitzman promised in his press release about the program, in a speech he gave to the New York City Council and in testimony before Nassau legislators that there would be no cost to the county.
Because the program does not fall under the comptroller's duties outlined in the county charter, Clavin said, any money spent on it would have to be authorized by the county legislature.
While the legislature's Rules Committee did approve a contract for the program, its attached summary shows $0.00 as the county's costs.
Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) said she would leave the cost questions to Weitzman but chastised Clavin for making a "totally political attack on something that really has brought out some very good help to people who needed it the most."
Copyright 2005 Newsday Inc.
Yes, auditors sit in fairs instead of looking at the payroll. And if they choose the comp-time, they left early during the week. Is the legislature going to look into this........