Michael Gaynor
NOT to be trusted: George Maragos political ads
By Michael Gaynor
This is America. Maragos can spent his fortune as he likes, even on a futile vanity run, but New Yorkers should not be fooled about the nature of his candidacy now.
Wealthy retired businessman, certified public accountant and first term Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos wants to be a United States Senator because he personifies the American dream and he's decided to give up his business for public office.
Maragos (www.maragos4ny.com/):
"My wife of 37 years, Angela and I have been New Yorkers since 1978. New York is where we realized our American dream. New York is where we raised and educated our three children — and now where our children are raising their children.
"It would be my privilege to serve as your next U.S. Senator."
It certainly would be, but Maragos is but one of many who personifies the American dream and New York needs the best possible new United States Senator.
These are dire times, and New York needs a Senator who is a constitutional scholar and principled conservative like Wendy Long; a person who knows what a Senator is supposed to do and will do it, like Long; and a person who can be trusted to be candid, like Long.
You haven't been candid with the people of New York, Mr. Maragos.
The functions of the Nassau County Comptroller are described as follows at http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Comptroller/biography.html:
Maragos has inflated his resume in his television and radio commercials, by claiming to have "consistently delivered balanced budgets with no tax increases."
Who are you trying to fool, Mr. Maragos?
The Nassau County comptroller is basically Nassau County's chief accountant and "monitor[s] Nassau's budget and financial operations."
NO comptroller delivers balanced or unbalanced budgets or sets tax policy!
The Nassau County Executive and the Nassau County Legislature either deliver balanced budgets or not, and raise, lower or keep taxes the same.
The real story of the Nassau County budget is set forth st www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/OMB/index.html, as follows:
MISSION
The mission of the Office of Management and Budget is to ensure that the County's budget is in balance and that it allocates its resources in a manner that is consistent with the County's priorities and with the goals and objectives of County departments.
OMB accomplishes its mission through the strict adherence to established and generally accepted financial policies and best practices. It also is dedicated to:
Develop an Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Financial Plan that are balanced, based on realistic assumptions and approved by the County Legislature and the Nassau Interim Finance Authority
Work with departments to ensure that spending and revenue generation are meeting targets, and that multi-year plan initiatives are being implemented
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is divided into three separate components. Central OMB is responsible for developing the annual budget and multi-year financial plan, monitoring expenditures and revenues, and providing fiscal support to County departments. It also serves as the primary liaison to the fiscal oversight community and the public. Vertical Administration consists of support staff, which is responsible for managing the operations of the Administration's six verticals. It also undertakes special projects designed to improve the County's financial infrastructure. Fiscal Analysis includes County Stat, which is responsible for monitoring departmental performance and improving operations, and a team of staff dedicated to providing additional fiscal support to County departments on an as-needed basis.
Maragos is a monitor with delusions of grandeur and no respect for the intelligence of voters.
That's not what we need.
Further, Maragos's claim of consistency is misleading.
Maragos was elected in 2009, and took office in January 2010.
It's May 2012.There have only been a couple of budgets since Maragos took office, that Nassau Interim Finance Authority is monitoring Nassau County as well as Maragos and things are still bad. The front page of the May 12, 2012 issue of Newsday highlights the problem this way: "MORE HEAT ON NASSAU $126M HOLE Budget watchgog warns of deficit on labor costs." See http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/report-nassau-faces-126m-payroll-deficit-1.3713622.
Also, at his campaign website, Maragos states: "As Nassau County Comptroller, I have proven that I can win elections...."
Maragos hasn't proven that he can win electionS.
Maragos won just ONE election (with Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano heading the ticket) and the next election for Nassau County Comptroller is a year and a half away.
Maragos vied with Long and Congressman Bob Turner at both the Republican and Conservative Party Conventions earlier this year.
Long was the big winner at each convention, but her much older(male) Republican rivals plod on to the delight of Team Gillibrand.
Long got more than 47% of the vote at the Republican convention, while Maragos and Turner split the rest about equally.
At the Conservative convention, Long won 91% of the vote, while Maragos and Turner split 9%, and then Long's nomination was made unanimous.
This is America. Maragos can spent his fortune as he likes, even on a futile vanity run, but New Yorkers should not be fooled about his record or the nature of his candidacy.
© Michael Gaynor
May 14, 2012
This is America. Maragos can spent his fortune as he likes, even on a futile vanity run, but New Yorkers should not be fooled about the nature of his candidacy now.
Wealthy retired businessman, certified public accountant and first term Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos wants to be a United States Senator because he personifies the American dream and he's decided to give up his business for public office.
Maragos (www.maragos4ny.com/):
"My wife of 37 years, Angela and I have been New Yorkers since 1978. New York is where we realized our American dream. New York is where we raised and educated our three children — and now where our children are raising their children.
"It would be my privilege to serve as your next U.S. Senator."
It certainly would be, but Maragos is but one of many who personifies the American dream and New York needs the best possible new United States Senator.
These are dire times, and New York needs a Senator who is a constitutional scholar and principled conservative like Wendy Long; a person who knows what a Senator is supposed to do and will do it, like Long; and a person who can be trusted to be candid, like Long.
You haven't been candid with the people of New York, Mr. Maragos.
The functions of the Nassau County Comptroller are described as follows at http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Comptroller/biography.html:
- monitor Nassau's budget and financial operations
audit government agencies and agencies with county contracts to uncover waste and abuse.
- review county contracts and claims
- report on matters that significantly affect Nassau's financial health and operations
work with the Administration and Legislature to help the county overcome its fiscal challenges
- prepare Nassau's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
- administer the county payroll and employee health benefits functions
Maragos has inflated his resume in his television and radio commercials, by claiming to have "consistently delivered balanced budgets with no tax increases."
Who are you trying to fool, Mr. Maragos?
The Nassau County comptroller is basically Nassau County's chief accountant and "monitor[s] Nassau's budget and financial operations."
NO comptroller delivers balanced or unbalanced budgets or sets tax policy!
The Nassau County Executive and the Nassau County Legislature either deliver balanced budgets or not, and raise, lower or keep taxes the same.
The real story of the Nassau County budget is set forth st www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/OMB/index.html, as follows:
MISSION
The mission of the Office of Management and Budget is to ensure that the County's budget is in balance and that it allocates its resources in a manner that is consistent with the County's priorities and with the goals and objectives of County departments.
OMB accomplishes its mission through the strict adherence to established and generally accepted financial policies and best practices. It also is dedicated to:
- Developing an operating budget, capital budget and multi-year financial plan that are based on realistic assumptions
- Monitoring spending and revenue collection on a monthly basis and regularly processing fiscal transactions on behalf of County departments
- Working with departments to ensure that multi-year financial plan initiatives are being implemented successfully and on schedule
- Linking performance to fiscal decision-making
- Regularly updating the fiscal oversight community and the public on the County's fiscal condition
Develop an Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Financial Plan that are balanced, based on realistic assumptions and approved by the County Legislature and the Nassau Interim Finance Authority
Work with departments to ensure that spending and revenue generation are meeting targets, and that multi-year plan initiatives are being implemented
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is divided into three separate components. Central OMB is responsible for developing the annual budget and multi-year financial plan, monitoring expenditures and revenues, and providing fiscal support to County departments. It also serves as the primary liaison to the fiscal oversight community and the public. Vertical Administration consists of support staff, which is responsible for managing the operations of the Administration's six verticals. It also undertakes special projects designed to improve the County's financial infrastructure. Fiscal Analysis includes County Stat, which is responsible for monitoring departmental performance and improving operations, and a team of staff dedicated to providing additional fiscal support to County departments on an as-needed basis.
Maragos is a monitor with delusions of grandeur and no respect for the intelligence of voters.
That's not what we need.
Further, Maragos's claim of consistency is misleading.
Maragos was elected in 2009, and took office in January 2010.
It's May 2012.There have only been a couple of budgets since Maragos took office, that Nassau Interim Finance Authority is monitoring Nassau County as well as Maragos and things are still bad. The front page of the May 12, 2012 issue of Newsday highlights the problem this way: "MORE HEAT ON NASSAU $126M HOLE Budget watchgog warns of deficit on labor costs." See http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/report-nassau-faces-126m-payroll-deficit-1.3713622.
Also, at his campaign website, Maragos states: "As Nassau County Comptroller, I have proven that I can win elections...."
Maragos hasn't proven that he can win electionS.
Maragos won just ONE election (with Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano heading the ticket) and the next election for Nassau County Comptroller is a year and a half away.
Maragos vied with Long and Congressman Bob Turner at both the Republican and Conservative Party Conventions earlier this year.
Long was the big winner at each convention, but her much older(male) Republican rivals plod on to the delight of Team Gillibrand.
Long got more than 47% of the vote at the Republican convention, while Maragos and Turner split the rest about equally.
At the Conservative convention, Long won 91% of the vote, while Maragos and Turner split 9%, and then Long's nomination was made unanimous.
This is America. Maragos can spent his fortune as he likes, even on a futile vanity run, but New Yorkers should not be fooled about his record or the nature of his candidacy.
© Michael Gaynor
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