Last week, Mr. Zapson wrote longingly about former County Executive Thomas Suozzi’s time in office (“My new tax bill is through the roof.”) Unfortunately, Zapson was no longer a Legislator for the majority of the time Suozzi was in office — I was, and I witnessed the damage Suozzi did firsthand.
Suozzi’s tenure was an unmitigated disaster for Nassau County taxpayers. While praising the excellent job Suozzi supposedly did, Zapson conveniently neglected to mention that Suozzi raised taxes significantly. Zapson can say that Suozzi and the Democrats balanced budgets however he chooses, but the real reason is that they balanced it with your money.
You know who else loves tax increases besides Tom Suozzi? Independent credit rating agencies, such as Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch. The easiest way to get a bond upgrade is to raise taxes. Keep that in mind the next time Suozzi says how proud he is of the 13 consecutive bond increases Nassau had during his tenure — you paid for those increases when you paid your taxes.
Since Ed Mangano took office in 2009, we have cut spending by $290 million, repealed the home energy tax, stopped the fast food tax, and stopped 16.5 percent in property tax increases. We’ve found innovative ways to reduce the size of government without burdening the taxpayer. We passed three consecutive no-tax-increase budgets, and have proposed a fourth for this year.
The county is finally heading in the right direction under the leadership of Mangano. I feel he deserves to be re-elected to another four-year term.

Francis X. Becker Jr.
Legislator, 6th L.D.

Santino has earned his support

To the Editor:
East Rockaway is on the rebound since Superstorm Sandy devastated our homes and flooded our streets. Leading the charge, partnering with Mayor Francis Lenahan is our town councilman Anthony Santino.