Mineola, NY-Nassau County's Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) probably never dreamed that she would spend so much time thinking and talking about sewers and storm water, but the issue is very much entwined in the future financial health of Nassau County. The County's request for State authorization for a new Sewer and Storm Water Authority would save the County approximately $25 million per year, a large part of County Executive Thomas Suozzi's plan to get Nassau back on firm fiscal footing.

"Without the Sewer and Storm Water Authority, there is the looming threat of layoffs and drastic cuts to all discretionary funding in the budget that will effect health and human service organizations," said Jacobs. "That is why I have been working non-stop, meeting with as many health and welfare, drug and alcohol, youth board, etc. groups explaining why the sewer and storm water authority is so crucial."

The recent submission of the County Executive's updated 2003-2004 multi-year plan to the Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) outlines two possible scenarios for the County's financial future: Option A: requires $32.5 million in labor concessions for 2004 and approval by the state legislature of the Sewer and Storm Water Authority; and Option B: which, in the event the county does not receive help from Albany and labor unions, it will implement its contingencies and call for layoffs of up to 650 employees and cuts to discretionary and unmandated health and human services and recreational programs.

"Through our health and human services department and its numerous programs, we protect the county's most needy and extend a helping hand to those in crisis," said Jacobs. "I will not let the ax fall on those in need of help and hope."

Meanwhile, Republican minority members, led by Legislator Peter Schmitt, have been critical of the Sewer and Storm Water Authority, while offering no alternative suggestions or plans. In addition, minority members have disseminated misleading and erroneous information concerning the Sewer and Storm Water plan.

"This kind of obstructionism leads to nothing constructive and will only harm the people who are assisted by the County's health and human service programs," Jacobs said. "If you are going to just stand in the way, I say 'Move out of the way.'"

Jacobs has been spending the past several weeks speaking to dozens of leaders in the health and human services community urging them to lobby their Albany officials to approve the authority. She has also dispensed numerous informational packets, explaining about the Sewer and Storm Water Authority issue.

"September will not be the time for demonstrations, aggravation and protestations, should the threat of cuts to human services become a reality," Jacobs said. "People have to realize that they have a small window, right now, to be part of the solution and I am working right besides them."

For an informational package about the Sewer and Storm Water Authority plan, call Presiding Officer Jacobs' office at 516-571-6216.