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For this column I have interviewed Nassau's new Independence Party
Chairman, Mike Peragine.
2003 RACES IN NASSAU
It's too early to tell. The key issue will be taxes and reassessment,
which has been handled very poorly by Assessor O'Shea. The Village
Officials association offered to help O'Shea to increase the accuracy of
the process-but the offer was rejected.
ON FRANK MACKAY, INDEPENDENCE PARTY CHAIRMAN
One of the most energetic people I've met. There are approximately 300
State Committee Members scattered from here to Buffalo. At the State
Convention several months ago, where Frank received over 92% of the vote
in his reelection bid for Chairman, it was clear that he had a personal
relationship with every one of them.
BACKGROUND
Age 55; married with three children. Mayor of Oyster Bay Cove since June
1997. Thirty year resident of Long Island. Schooling included College of
Aeronautics at LaGuardia Airport and the University of Miami (Florida).
Master Electrician, Commercial Pilot, Past Regional Airline CEO and
current owner of Millennium Jet in Farmingdale. President of the Nassau
Village Officials association and recently elected Chairman of the
Nassau Independence party.
RESPONSE TO JAY JACOBS' COMMENT ON MINOR PARTIES
In a recent column, Nassau Democratic Chairman Jacobs stated "Minor
parties serve a purpose when they espouse a specific and unique
political view. When they exist to squeeze the major parties, they no
longer serve the public interest."
Historically, he may be correct to some extent, however, the playing
field has significantly narrowed. Some of the more myopic parties, those
with single issues
are gone for now. The major survivor, the Independence Party, will fit
neither of his characterizations in the future. Its members are likely
to have a greater influence prospectively, and will provide choices when
necessary and yes, may support incumbents identified as competent and
effective when appropriate. We call it "Independent thinking."
NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLATURE
The Legislature plays a very important role in the lives of County
residents and their proceedings should be televised for those that
cannot attend critical meetings.
Greater emphasis should be placed on the influence that each individual
legislator has on the issues effecting Nassau residents, and strict
party line voting should stop!
BUILDING THE "I" LINE
A priority for all the right reasons. Many people wound up in the
Independence Party by accident during the registration process. They
registered for the party and didn't realize it. Consequently, for years
it was a party run and controlled by a small handful of people. We are
determined to change that. We also must elect our own candidates in the
future, several County Legislators for instance, so that there is
balance in the Legislature and our Party's issues and platform receive
focus. Issues that we will be addressing include political reforms,
ballot access and providing alternatives when needed. Our immediate goal
is to build bridges for the future and recruit additional talent to the
Party.
JUDGESHIPS
It's a difficult decision for any political leader to pick judges base
don qualifications because there are so many prospective candidates that
are so qualified. We hope to elect several judges from the Independence
Party in the future, as we certainly have high qualified candidates to
offer as well.
19.4% TAX INCREASE IN NASSAU
It's horrible! Who could like it? But it's not out of sync with other
counties similar to Nassau, and I believe there was little choice. The
conflicts in the near future, however, will not just be over the
increase, but the awful way in which the load on the taxpayer has been
unfairly distributed by the flawed assessment review-perpetrated at the
cost of nearly $50,000,000. The Suozzi Administration has a very tough
task ahead, and the Republican Party now takes on the role of watchdog,
somewhat of a reversal of years gone by. I see the role of the
Independence Party as moving the fulcrum one way or the other, when
necessary, to insure that no 500 pound gorilla tips the scale
completely. History has taught us that such deportment simply leads to
dysfunctional governance.
VALUE OF THE "I" LINE (NEXT 4 YEARS)
Enormous. The Independence Party will be perceived as the "thinking
man's party" as time goes on. The Party will gravitate to those
disenfranchised by the major parties. I believe that within its ranks,
individual members will be a little bit Republican and a bit Democrat,
amalgamated into a force by a determination to select the best elements
of both, adding to them their own input-and thereby providing
significant checks and balances to the system. No doubt, Row C will be
the difference in many Nassau races over the next 4 years as we build up
the line for the benefit of every Nassau County resident |
