Schmitt Can't Handle the Facts

During the News12 debate with challenger Craig Heller, Schmitt had the stones of lead to say that the statistics about the low crime rate in Nassau County should be ignored.
That's right, ignore the numbers provided by the DA and the FBI and just listen to Schmitt fear-mongering.
Schmitt already got put in his place about crime by DA Denis Dillon but as usual Schmitt hopes voters forget that and buy his lies.
The News12 debate was an incredible re-enactment of the Nixon-Kennedy debate. Heller was cool and composed and had the facts on his side while Schmitt went flailing around and looking like a boiled lobster, his face red and his hair plastered to his head from the rivulets of sweat coursing down his forehead.
Heller, a real-estate attorney demolished Schmitt on the re-assessment debate. Heller knows more about real estate and reassessment than Schmitt ever could pretend to.

Civic Leaders Take Shots at Schmitt

Wow. Normally civic leaders play nice with elected officials because they can use the help. Here we have two letters to the October 7th Massapequan Observer taking shots at Schmitt.

To the editor:
This letter is in response to your cover story of the Sept. 23 issue, entitled "Field of Dreams' Grand Opening Oct. 1." We were disappointed to read that you covered only a small part of the story. You wrote that Gary Slavin "assembled a coalition of youth sports advocates, civic organization heads, business leaders and school officials." In April 2003, they held a "raise the roof " meeting. As far as the "Field of Dreams" is concerned, Gary Slavin was a "Johnny come lately."
In 1998, Legislator Peter Schmitt was in favor of building a BJ's Warehouse on this property, with the Massapequa Chamber's support as evidenced by public statements made by Mr. Schmitt at the time. The Joint Council of Civics of the Massapequas organized a meeting attended by hundreds of local residents.
Fortunately for the children, Emil Coppola spearheaded the stopping of this ill-advised plan. Mr. Coppola, then president of the Joint Council of Civics of the Massapequas, organized local civic organizations and sport teams to ensure our elected officials heard loud and clear that our community did not want a BJ's built here and instead wanted the space to be used as fields for the local children.
The fact is that without Mr. Coppola, this property would not have been available for anything, let alone a "Field of Dreams." Unfortunately, Mr. Coppola passed away and is not able to dispute your summary of the issue. However, many people know the truth and we would hope that next time you print all the facts surrounding the "Field of Dreams " issue.
Bill Manton
President
Carol Gordon
Vice President
Breezy Point Civic Association, Inc

To the Editor:
While your story, "Field of Dreams' Grand Opening Oct. 1," was interesting, it lacked essential facts that resulted in a "dream" becoming a reality. Nowhere in your article was the name Emil Coppola mentioned.
Sometime in 1998, Legislator Peter Schmitt wanted this parcel of land to be purchased by BJ's Wholesale Warehouse. Emil Coppola, then president of the Joint Council of Civic Associations of the Massapequas, arranged for a meeting to discuss this important issue. Emil and other civic leaders and hundreds of residents attended this meeting and let Peter Schmitt know that they were against this project. And that's when Emil began his crusade to use this property as a community ballpark for the various leagues.
Emil fought long and hard to convince civic leaders and residents that we needed this ballpark for our youngsters; that the one-time monetary gain we would receive for the sale of this property was insignificant in comparison to the benefits the community would realize by having a much-needed ballpark for our youngsters, and that God was not making any more property - so we had better keep what we had. He worked very closely with the people of the Lacrosse League and other leagues. He was very convincing in his arguments, and he kept spreading the word about the need to be unified in voicing the need for a community ballpark. The residents rallied round the cause.
It wasn't until the spring of 2003 that the Town of Oyster Bay scheduled another meeting regarding this issue. County Executive Tom Suozzi, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, all the sports leagues, community leaders and residents met again. And again the community echoed the words Emil Coppola had been shouting for years, "We need a ballpark for our youngsters."
Shortly after this meeting Emil had many tragedies in his life. His wife became very ill and passed away, and he also succumbed to an illness and died. Emil, who had a heart as big as his frame, was and is still sorely missed.
And unfortunately, Emil never had the chance to know that all of his work resulted in the "Field of Dreams." Many civic leaders had hoped that the park, or at least a section of the park, would be dedicated to the man who started the ball rolling. As far as I'm concerned, the ballpark will be always be known as "the house that Emil built!"
Those of us who knew him, know that Emil is in his own field of dreams and is happy in the knowledge that the youth of Massapequa will have a ballpark. Rest easy, Emil. You hit another home run!
Rose Hobbins
President - North Massapequa Civic Association

The letter also appeared in the October 5th Massapequa Post:

Dear Editor:
While your story was interesting, it lacked essential facts that resulted in a "dream"becoming a reality. Nowhere in your article was the name Emil Coppola mentioned.
Sometime in 1998, Legislator Peter Schmitt wanted this parcel of land to be purchased by BJ’s Wholesale Warehouse. Emil Coppola, then president of the Joint Council of Civic Associations of the Massapequas, arranged for a meeting to discuss this important issue. Emil and other civic leaders and hundreds of residents attended this meeting and let Peter Schmitt know that they were against this project. And that’s when Emil began his crusade to use this property as a community ballpark for the various leagues.
Emil fought long and hard to convince civic leaders and residents that we needed this ballpark for our youngsters; that the one-time monetary gain we would receive for the sale of this property was insignificant in comparison to t he benefits the community would realize by having a much-needed ballpark for our youngsters, and that God was not making any more property - so we had better keep what we had. He worked very closely with the people of the Lacrosse League and other leagues. He was very convincing in his arguments, and he kept spreading the word about the need to be unified in voicing the need for a community ballpark. The residents rallied round the cause.
It wasn’t until the spring of 2003 that the Town of Oyster Bay scheduled another meeting regarding this issue. County Executive Tom Suozzi, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, all the sports leagues, community leaders and residents met again. And again the community echoed the words Emil Coppola had been shouting for years, "We need a ballpark for our youngsters."
Shortly after this meeting Emil had many tragedies in his life. His wife became very ill and passed away, and he also succumbed to an illness and died. Emil, who had a heart as big as his frame, was and is still sorely missed.
And unfortunately, Emil never had the chance to know that all of his work resulted in the "Field of Dreams." Many civic leaders had hoped that the park, or at least a section of the park, would be dedicated to the man who started the ball rolling. As far as I’m concerned, the ballpark will always be known as "the house that Emil built!"
Those of us who knew him know that Emil is in his own field of dreams and is happy in the knowledge that the youth of Massapequa will have have a ballpark. Rest easy, Emil. You hit another home run.
Rose Hobbins, president
North Massapequa Civic
Association, Inc.


So much for Schmitt an his "Open Space" rhetoric. We wonder if the League of Conservation Voters knew about this before they endorsed him.

Schmitt Opponent Heller Tells the Truth

From the October 5th Massapequa Post
County played a role in refurbishment of Massapequa Preserve

Dear Editor:
On September 15, I had the pleasure of attending the Friends of the Massapequa Preserve fifth anniversary meeting held at the Massapequa Library. In attendance at this meeting were members of the Nassau County Department of Parks; Massapequa Fire Department and a Police Officer. Each party spoke about the work they have done to be responsive to the needs of the community regarding the upkeep of the Massapequa Preserve.
Deputy Commissioner James Caracciolo was praised by the organization for his attentiveness to the needs of the Preserve. The concerned citizens at this meeting seemed pleased with his efforts and did not feel as Legislator Peter J. Schmitt stated in his letter to the editor of last week that the Preserve has not been given "proper maintenance."
Further, the Nassau County Police Officer present at the meeting, Officer Golden, was complimented for her efforts at dealing with any crime at the preserve. While it is impossible for perfection, Officer Golden stated that "we do not have a lot of crime" in the Preserve.
Mr. Schmitt’s efforts in obtaining the funding of nearly $7.5 million to rehabilitate t he Preserve is a fine accomplishment, however, he should not minimize the efforts that the County of Nassau Department of Parks has made in continuing to keep the area in quality condition.
Now that the County is on a sound financial footing, the Suozzi administration has made a commitment to meet the environmental needs of other people of Massapequa. The Suozzi administration understands the importance of maintaining our natural beauty and I am certain that they will continue to insure that the Massapequa Preserve is properly maintained.

Craig S. Heller, North Massapequa

The writer is the Democratic candidate running against N.C. Leg. Peter Schmitt in the 12th district.

Worries about Winning

For the Nassau GOP legislators, winning would be a great prospect, right?
Not entirely.
If the Nassau GOP actually pulls off a win (doubtful) in november, they face the prospect of Majority Leader/Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt.
Who on the republican side can find a problem with that?
A few legislators who know having Schmitt as the Presiding Officer is as bad or worse than having him as Minority Leader.
Schmitt has a big mouth and when he opens it, he usually sticks his foot in it. His heavy-handed, highly partisan ways are from an era when Nassau GOP arrogance could be backed up by electoral prowess.
With 3 consecutive losses for the majority in the legisalture, the republicans are getting antsy for power but at what cost. When the republicans were decimated in the 1999 elections losing presiding officer Bruce Blakeman, Schmitt a machine ideolouge became the top dog.
Schmitt spent his entire adult life paying his dues climbing the party ladder. The machine elevated him and the machine remnants keep him on top.
One republican legislator who would be leader except for the "seniority" issue within the party feels uncomfortable with the prospect of Schmitt as Presiding Officer.
As Minority Leader, Schmitt has kept the troops in line only because the party itself leaves the threat of no re-election support hanging over legislators heads.
With every lie and mis-step, Schmitt embarrasses more moderate legisaltors.How bad will they fare if Schmitt takes Presiding Officer and continues to act like a child?
Schmitt as leader for the republicans is actually manna from heaven for democrats. He wages war when there can be concensus. He picks the wrong issues to go public with and gets spanked, most recently by republican DA Dillon.
The worried republicans want the majority but not with Schmitt in charge.The only thing they can hope for is for Schmitt to lose this election cycle, get the leader they want and then try to gain the majority in 2007.Schmitt represents the Margiotta/Mondello GOP machine of old and for the GOP legislators to survive, he will have to go.