Mineola, NY - Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury), was joined by members of the Democratic majority in the Nassau County Legislature in approving changes to the County's financial disclosure forms that are designed to streamline the process and highlight areas of potential conflicts of interest. The measure was unanimously adopted.

In addition, the annual disclosure statement, which certain County officials are required to file, would expand the power of the ethics board to impose sanctions that include fines, damages, and civil forfeiture. It also imposes a three-year bar against contracts between the County and any person who intentionally or knowingly violates the ethics code. Many of the changes were recommended by the Board of Ethics.

Members of the Legislature also heard testimony from the Department of Public Works regarding the preparation of a map showing real property and easements to be acquired by the County for the improvement of I.U. Willets Road in Searingtown, from Oak Ridge Lane to Searingtown Road. Some residents in the area expressed concern about the acquisition and its impact on their property. The measure will come before the full legislature for a vote at the next regularly scheduled meeting on June 10, at 6 p.m.

In other business, legislators approved:

• An ordinance authorizing the issuance of a replacement quitclaim deed for two real estate parcels to Frank Beaulieu. The deed will replace the original deed, which could not be located following a house fire several years ago.
• An ordinance appropriating $40,328 for Lyme Disease Surveillance, education, investigation, and prevention. These expenses are 100% reimbursable by the New York State Health Department.
• An ordinance appropriating $200,000 for Comprehensive Prenatal Perinatal Services. These expenses are 100% reimbursable by the New York State Health Department.
• An ordinance appropriating $213,496 for Community Health Worker to provide assistance to low income families in the Village of Hempstead for primary and preventive health care.
• An ordinance appropriating $103,600 for HIV Prevention. These expenses are 100% reimbursable by the New York State Health Department.
• An ordinance appropriating $25,973.74 for the Police Headquarters Fund. These funds are revenue received from the sale of seized vehicles and may be used only by the Nassau County Police Department for narcotics enforcement purposes.
• An ordinance appropriating $136,197 for Selective Traffic Enforcement Program to reduce aggressive driving, speeding and impaired driving. The grant award is for participation in the statewide program.
• The appointment of Eric Brown to the Nassau County Democratic Committee to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Commissioner Barbara Patton.
• A resolution confirming the appointment of Stanley Nussbaum and Sean Strife to the Nassau County Bridge Authority. The terms expire on 12/31/07.
• A resolution appointment Sheldon Swirsky as a member of the Nassau County Board of Parole.
• A resolution requesting the legislature of New York State to accept a retirement application from Edwin T. Ellison, an employee of the Nassau County Sheriff's Department, as of October 17, 1997. The first two times it was passed in the County Legislature, the state failed to act on it before their term expired.