Schmitt writes a letter

To the Massapequan Observer on May 6th. As usual, it's full of the same old BS.
Here are some highlights:
"The "announcement" made by Legislator David Mejias regarding the upcoming rehabilitation project is nothing more than a weak attempt to draw attention away from the concerns of residents regarding the growing threat of gang violence in our county."
"Legislator Mejias has been quick to jump in and take credit for a project that was in place before he was ever elected to office."
"When the Nassau County Legislature approved the 2005 budget, I offered an amendment which would have added 300 more police officers to our streets and created a dedicated anti-gang task force to combat similar attacks that are increasing in frequency and savagery. The proposal to create a dedicated anti-gang task force was defeated by a vote of 10 to 9. Legislator Mejias, despite all his rhetoric that he is tough on crime, provided the 10th and deciding vote against increasing public safety in Nassau County."
"Legislator Mejias needs to re-examine the important issues in this county, and stop wasting time garnering headlines on issues that predate his term in the Legislature by nearly a decade."

We've sent a letter to the Observer and so did Legislator Mejias.
His was printed in the May 20th issue and is reprinted below.
"I am writing in response to Peter Schmitt's dishonest attacks on my record. In my first term in office working with Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and the Democratic Majority in the Legislature, we have balanced the budget, added 320 more police officers, reduced crime to its lowest level in 30 years, and saved the county from fiscal ruin, all without raising taxes. When Mr. Schmitt was in control, Nassau County was facing a state takeover, nearly bankrupt, $3 billion in debt, and had a bond rating one step above junk. In 1998 alone, Mr. Schmitt passed a budget with a $300 million deficit. What did Mr. Schmitt's leadership get us? We were rated the worst run county in America by the Maxwell School of Public Policy and Governing Magazine, just four short years ago. Clearly, Mr. Schmitt lacks credibility when discussing issues of governance.
Mr. Schmitt's politics of fear denigrates the hard work that our police officers are doing to keep our communities safe. He disrespects them and all they do to protect us when he tries to mislead us. Nassau County is the safest municipality of its size in the United States of America. In March, Nassau County had a class of 144 new police officers graduate from the academy. There are 150 recruits scheduled to graduate from the academy this fall, with another class ready to be sworn in immediately. His shameful attempt to scare the residents of our community is partisan politics at its worst.
Mr. Schmitt's attacks on my record of bringing government accountability back by holding 19 town hall meetings are shameful. While Mr. Schmitt issued a press release on the Massapequa Preserve restoration, I was fulfilling my obligation to the voters by keeping them informed and soliciting feedback in a community forum. The real issues facing Nassau County demand real leadership, not politicians that put rhetoric above effective governing.
Legislator Dave Mejias"