From June 3, 2005Responding to Peter Schmitt's Letter
Regarding Peter Schmitt's May 6 letter to the editor about Legislator Mejias' Town Hall meeting, it is clear he has no idea what he is talking about and is willing to deceive the readers of the Observer. Had Schmitt actually attended the town hall meeting or even read the article in Observer he would know that Legislator Mejias wasn't taking credit for anything. He made an announcement. He was doing his job to inform residents of legislative actions regarding the meeting's main topic. The meeting, which was about concerns for the Massapequa Preserve, addressed the same issues that Schmitt says Legislator Mejias is trying to draw attention away from. How can it be both ways? It can't. Schmitt is once again doing his best to deceive residents. Schmitt's letter is more about election-year politics than actual concern for the Massapequa Preserve. Friends of Massapequa Preserve President Richard Schary should be weary of being used to score political points.
When it comes to proposals from Schmitt, one has to ask, "where's the money?" Just because he proposes an increase in the number of police officers doesn't mean he offered any way to actually pay for them. Schmitt calls for increased spending on one hand and then wants tax cuts on the other. He wants it both ways again. What Schmitt fails to say is that the 2005 budget already calls for more police hires. Schmitt's word game with "10th and deciding vote" is another attempt at deception. Schmitt ought to check with Steve Rhoads, another Republican candidate who said Legislator Denenberg was the "deciding vote" and follows that by saying it's "a fact." It seems the Republicans have their campaign message and they just substitute names. Schmitt and the Republicans again prove it's about the politics, not the people.
When Schmitt complained of Legislator Mejias "wasting time garnering headlines" I almost fell over laughing. This is the same Peter Schmitt who fiddled around town with his own personal photographer getting his pictures in local papers while Nassau County hurtled toward bankruptcy. Schmitt still has his own photographer and spends his time handing out "Legislative Proclamations" like candy on Halloween. Schmitt would present a "Legislative Proclamation" at a door opening. Schmitt spends all his time "garnering headlines" posing for pictures while Legislator Mejias does the job. The most amusing photo and caption was for the Massapequa Preserve's 2nd Annual Earth Day Cleanup where Schmitt "aided" the cleanup in a sport coat, slacks and dress shoes.