By Hank Russell
At his State of the County address on March 12, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman was quick to point out the bright spots in his administration as evidence of why he deserves another term, while his Democrat opponent said Blakeman will “distract, divide and deceive” to stay in office.
His main topic was public safety. “We are funding the police, not defunding, here in Nassau County,” Blakeman said, adding that he hired more than 300 new police and correction officers over the last three-year period.
In the past, Blakeman has proudly announced that he has worked with Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) to deport illegal immigrants, especially those with criminal records. He also told those in attendance he is working with President Donald Trump’s administration to stop the flow of fentanyl “that’s coming in from China and Mexico and into our neighborhoods.”
In his rebuttal to Blakeman’s speech, Legislator Seth I. Koslow (D-Merrick) — who is running against Blakeman for county executive, said Blakeman played “dangerous political games” by withholding $1 million in funding for fire departments, EMS services and police departments located in Democrat-majority districts.
“Requests for essential life-saving equipment — including turnout gear, CPR devices, and crucial communication upgrades — are being denied by Blakeman, not because they’re unnecessary, but because these brave first responders have the audacity to serve in districts represented by Democrats,” Koslow said. “It’s shameful. It’s dangerous. And it’s un-American.”
Koslow also blasted Blakeman’s dangerous militia program, which gives police powers to untrained civilians who own property and own a gun.
“Imagine you completed months and months of intense police training only to see your authority matched by someone with just hours of training,” Koslow said. “It’s insulting and it’s dangerous. Let me be clear: Only police officers should do police work.”
On the issue of taxes, Blakeman announced that he will introduce a budget that he says will contain no tax increases for the fourth year in a row. But Koslow accused Blakeman of breaking his promise to immediately cut taxes and fix the county’s broken assessment system, “making it more expensive to live here than ever before.”
Koslow also noted that Town of Hempstead residents saw their taxes go up 12%. “Ask anyone in Nassau County: Are your taxes higher or lower? The answer is clear — Blakeman broke his promise.”
“Our future has never been brighter,” Blakeman said. But Koslow responded, “Blakeman has shown that his only strategy for Nassau County is to distract, divide, and deceive. We deserve better.”