Suozzi’s impact and ideas went beyond Nassau County

By Joye Brown

Thomas Suozzi more than once Tuesday patted himself on the back for his eight-year stewardship of Nassau County.  But in many ways Suozzi's reach extended beyond the county (and not just when he was running for governor or laying the groundwork for some other, higher office).  Even some of Suozzi's harshest critics agree that Suozzi was at his best when he focused his attention on Long Island and his job here. Here are six ways he made a difference as county executive:

Suozzi made the region safe for Big Ideas, from the proposed Lighthouse project to the revitalization of New Cassel.  "He used his office as a bully pulpit in raising awareness of issues like economic development and downtown revitalization," Eric Alexander, program director of Vision Long Island, said Tuesday.  "He became Long Island's educator-in-chief on critical issues," Alexander said. Unfortunately, after the first term, "what was missing was the implementation," Alexander said.

He updated Nassau County government, especially during his first term, focusing the public's attention on mundane, but essential matters, such as why municipal bond ratings matter. And on why the county should be more aggressive in curtailing expenses such as overly generous union contracts - even if he had mixed results.

In so doing, Suozzi helped clear the political way for another fresh face, Steve Levy, who later took the reins in Suffolk County, to focus attention on the some of the same issues.  Suozzi's administration also spawned some nationally recognized innovations like No Wrong Door, a program that pulled the county's fractured system of health and social services together under one roof.

He helped the region see itself - as a region. And helped break down barriers that traditionally have kept developers, residents and governments from talking to each other. Such collaboration is key if Long Island is to tackle issues from open space and economic development to the biggest issue of all, property taxes.  "Suozzi was at the core of revamping the Regional Planning Council, with Steve Levy as a willing partner," said Michael White, the council's executive director.  "We've been able to move well beyond the counties talking to each other to counties and towns and villages talking to each other," he said. "It's a change and it's an important one."

He openly and directly addressed issues of racism and immigration in a region where minorities and immigrants are the fastest growing populations.  "His willingness to talk about immigration and race and to deal with structural racism issues was significant," said Elaine Gross, executive director of ERASE Racism.  "He approached controversial issues in a direct, straightforward way that was productive," she said. "It helped create an atmosphere in Nassau that is much more open and positive."  Suozzi crossed into Suffolk County on more than one occasion to lead the way at public forums addressing racism and discrimination.

He helped make Nassau County, the nation's first post-World War II suburb, matter again.  "Suozzi understood Nassau County's place in a broader regional and national context," said Lawrence Levy, a former Newsday colleague who is now head of Hofstra University's Center for Suburban Studies.  "He tried to get ahead of the curve on some of the problems and issues that are facing suburban communities," he said. "He sounded the alarm, understanding that Nassau isn't the only suburb facing issues like taxes and changing demographics."

He helped shed light on Albany's dysfunction and its practice of forcing state costs down on local municipalities - and local taxpayers.  "He was the first guy to stand up and say Albany is broken and we need to fix it," said Judy White, a partner in CJ2 Communications Strategies, a public relations firm in Suffolk.  "He focused attention on what was bad," she said, "and now we can all look to Albany and see that it's just gotten more and more broken."