By Cindy Jackson
Reporter
October 12, 2021
The process of approving a budget for Nassau County is indeed long and very procedurally driven – as required by state law.
And every step of the process provides ample opportunity for public comment. The meeting relating to non-profit allocations is perhaps the meeting with the greatest attendance.
On the evening of September 27, 2021, however, that budget meeting witnessed a few “new faces” at the podium.
One speaker was Bill Gingrich, the Chairman for the organization known as Citizens for a Better Nassau County. To learn more about this organization, go to https://www.citizensforabetternassau.com
Gingrich stated “I am here to talk about our collective future,” going on to [acknowledge/agree] that Nassau County has great needs for roads, parks and other infrastructure,” but noted that while “residential development has already found its’ way here” . . . . [Nassau County] has failed to attract sufficient commercial and industrial development” to pay for the wages and cost of the County’s development.
Those comments were echoed by Stuart Nazarro, President of Aldebaran Partners, Inc. To learn more about his company, please go to https://aldebaranpartners.com/about
During Nazarro’s three minutes at the podium, he stated “I have worked hard to bring capital investment into Nassau County,” but went on to explain that there is a perception out there that Nassau County is very “insular” perhaps “implying” that Nassau County is corrupt.
Nazarro stated that he has had great difficulty attracting capital investment to Nassau County as a result of those impressions. “It’s a challenge,” said Nazarro.
After Nazarro came John Baker who began his comments by saying, “I think you know who I am.” Having contacted the Nassau County Clerks Office, that man was Dr. John Baker, a current visiting professor at Georgetown University and an expert in mediation.
It was in that vein (as a mediator) that Baker took major exception to the “mediation” ongoing between Nassau County and Rayonier . . . and the fact that (so far) it has cost Nassau County taxpayers (at the very least) — $500,000!!!!!
I am not sure what the point of this article was except to facilitate rumors and innuendo. There was very little context and no substance,
Agreed. What IS the point of the story?
Good Morning, Mr. Rowe. I appreciate your comment and as I responded to Mr. Tomas, suffice to say, perhaps it helps to dissect all the rumors and innuendo but putting actual names and faces to individuals and companies that have had some “skin in the game” — and who took to doing so in a very public way.
There was no need to repeat ad nauseam all that has already been said, but instead to report on a very public dialogue that took place.
Good Morning. Appreciate your feedback. Suffice to say, perhaps it helps to dissect all the rumors and innuendo but putting actual names and faces to individuals and companies that have had some “skin in the game” — and who took to doing so in a very public way.
Well, if nothing else, I’m glad that someone said it, that is that so far, it has cost the taxpayers of Nassau County, $500,000 at the very least. Unfortunately, I believe this is only the beginning and the county will continue to rack up costs trying to defend their actions, when we should bite the bullet, admit that we were operating outside of the Sunshine laws and pay whatever costs and fines associated with such. As things are going right now, the costs will continue to mount with defense attorneys, even though it is obvious that the county is in the wrong when it comes to the Raydient / Wildlight development.
These say when you find yourself in a hole, to stop digging!!
County taxpayers have spent more than $700,000 in legal fees for the Rayonier lawsuits. The county manager and clerk can provide total expenditures to anyone who asks.