I see these images across the district I am seeking office for and I ask why has this happened and what is being done about it? Why are so many storefronts empty, so many “For Lease” signs in front commercial buildings? And why are there so many boarded up homes in our neighborhoods?
I ask these questions as my campaign finishes up. I spent months visiting over 1,400 homes in North Babylon, Deer Park, Melville, South Huntington and Huntington Station. I have spoken to hundreds of people who have voiced the same frustration to me time and time again: why are our taxes so high and how can anyone survive on Long Island?
There are many reasons why these images are reminders of our failed leadership in Suffolk County. These include:
- A steady increase of taxes at all levels.
Have your property taxes gone down without grieving them?
Find out what's happening in Deer Park-North Babylonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- A poorly managed budget process which reduces the effectiveness of our police.
There are rising incidents of crimes, just read the Patch over the past months.
- No ability to attract new business to Long Island.
Have there been any new jobs created on a large scale beyond retail jobs?
Find out what's happening in Deer Park-North Babylonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
These are just a few of the many problems facing Suffolk County today. But the courage to lead us out of these issues is sorely lacking. That’s why we need new leadership starting in the county legislature. We need people who are accomplished at achieving goals, not spending our tax dollars or borrowing constantly to plug gaps in the budget.
If you think the direction Suffolk has been going has been acceptable, then expect more of these sites across our landscape. If you are like me and are tired of seeing despair in our residential neighborhoods and our businesses in distress, then please have the courage to make the change this coming Tuesday which will be the beginning of a new direction for Suffolk County.
