LIpolitics.com : Long Island\'s Political Network

STATEMENT FROM NASSAU COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBER
DR. PAUL PIPIA ON THE COUNTY DEMOCRATS REFUSAL TO ACCEPT STATE FUNDS:

“On Monday, February 6, 2012, [Nassau] County Legislators Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, Dave Denenberg, Judy Jacobs, Judi Bosworth, Kevan Abrahams and Wayne Wink played politics with public health in legislative meetings by refusing to provide the votes necessary to accept New York State funds for mandated essential public health functions.

Dr. Pipia

To be precise The State of New York wants to give Nassau County $542,096 to run several State mandated programs that protect the health of the citizens of this county.  To receive this money the Nassau County Legislature needs a super majority vote. The Democrats would not provide the votes needed and the matter was tabled.

As a result, the following Nassau County Department of Health programs are jeopardized:

• Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Program that provides for 5.5 full time employees.

• Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia Treatment Programs in the high risk inmate population at the Nassau County Correctional Center.

• Rabies prevention and control services program throughout Nassau County.

These  by not accepting these state funds.  At this point the vote appears to be stalled because of a laid off lab director.

The County’s acceptance of these funds has no bearing on the Laboratory Director position and a loss of state funding will require the County to make up the difference from Nassau taxpayers as these programs are mandated by the State.

The Department of Health will not play games with public health.

At my confirmation hearing  I was asked by the Democrat Delegation if I would put all things aside and do my very best to protect the health of the residents of Nassau County.  I am doing that by my statement.  I now ask that they do the same.  Take the funding!

At a time when Nassau County taxpayers are concerned about their tax bill, our elected officials should be fighting to obtain every dime they can.  The state is giving you funding for these programs, accept the money.

I call on these legislators to vote yes on February 27^th and end the political games that jeopardize public health.”

Dr. Paul R. Pipia is a Nassau County Board of Health member.

The Nassau County Board of Health and the Nassau County Department of Health were created in 1938 by the Nassau County Charter.  Members of the Board of Health are appointed by the County Executive to five year terms. The Board enforces the New York State Public Health Law as well as New York State and local sanitary codes.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the BOH.