An Open Letter From Michael Uhl
Change.
Some say its inevitable. Others, especially in these parts, say its darn near impossible.
Still, change -- hopefully change for the better -- is necessary if we are to grow and thrive, as individuals, and, of equal import, as a community.
This is why I am running for Nassau County Legislator in the 8th LD, and challenging the longtime incumbent, Vincent Muscarella.
Change.
For more than 12 years -- since the Legislature's inception in 1995 -- Vincent Muscarella has held the seat in the 8th Legislative District.
Twelve long years.
When Mr. Muscarella was first elected to the Legislature, many of us truly believed he had what it takes to deliver that promise of a bright future for our towns, villages, and hamlets. An attorney. A former State Assemblyman. Someone familiar with the legislative process. Surely, he would be a leader, an advocate, a true representative of the causes of community. Sadly, it was not to be.
Twelve long years.
Through the Gulotta administration, when his own party ruled the roost in the Legislature and pulled the purse strings.
Twelve long years.
Through fiscal irresponsibility and the wink and nod of "turn the other cheek."
Twelve long years.
Through the policy of putting politics and party before people and practicality.
Twelve long years.
Vincent Muscarella has held that seat in the Legislature -- your seat in the Legislature -- and has done just that -- sat.
Twelve long years.
Silent. Stoic. Stiffled in the staleness of the status quo, our County Legislator sits -- with the notable exception of making appearances for ribbon cuttings and street namings, as the photo op may require of him.
Asked to run, to enter the fray, I thought to myself, "Is my quality of life better today than it was twelve long years ago?"
I took a good look at my 1995 property tax bill, and then at my most recent statement. No, I am not better off.
I took a walk along Hempstead Avenue, a County road, the plans for the reconstruction of which have been gathering dust on our Legislator's shelf for the better part of a decade. No, I am not better off.
I think about the County placing ex-cons, Level 1 Sex Offenders, and the indigent in motels and hotels in our neighborhoods, with our Legislator having the audacity to deny it. No, I am not better off.
I stroll through the local County park -- deemed "passive" (a code word for neglect) -- where the Legislature approved and spent more than one million dollars for a pond filtration system that gave out after a month, and hasn't filtered so much as an eyedropper full of water since the late 90s. No, I am not better off.
And what of the $150 million in Environmental Bond monies we voted for? Where and how has that been allocated by the Legislature? Where and how -- if at all -- is our money being spent?
No, I am not better off today than I was twelve years ago. Just twelve years older, and quite a bit wiser.
Yes, it will be an uphill battle to unseat someone who has, for all intents and purposes, been crazy-glued to his seat for twelve long years.
Then again, no one said change would come easy.
I am asking, as an independent voice in our community, not only for your support in this campaign and your vote on November 6th. I am asking you to take a long, hard look at the issues. Consider what matters most in your neck of our woods, to join the discussion and the debate, and to be a part of the Uhl Team in bringing real change to the 8th LD -- and maybe even some spare change into your wallet, once we address property taxes realistically, and not with political ploys that have no substance.
I invite you to read -- and, perhaps, contribute to -- The Uhl Blog. Your comments, your thoughts, your ideas matter. Hit our "links." Check out my website at www.uhlwin.com.
See how, together, we can begin to make a difference.
The opportunity to change, to move forward, to retake suburbia and recast our vision for that new Nassau everyone talks about, but no one seems to do anything about, is before us.
The power to effectuate that change is yours.
Please feel free to e-mail me at friendsofmichael@uhlwin.com, or to call me at 516-521-0044, with any questions, or to lend a hand.
Thank you!
Michael Uhl
West Hempstead, New York
www.uhlwin.com
Committee to Elect Michael Uhl, Nassau County Legislature
Change.Some say its inevitable. Others, especially in these parts, say its darn near impossible.
Still, change -- hopefully change for the better -- is necessary if we are to grow and thrive, as individuals, and, of equal import, as a community.
This is why I am running for Nassau County Legislator in the 8th LD, and challenging the longtime incumbent, Vincent Muscarella.
Change.
For more than 12 years -- since the Legislature's inception in 1995 -- Vincent Muscarella has held the seat in the 8th Legislative District.
Twelve long years.
When Mr. Muscarella was first elected to the Legislature, many of us truly believed he had what it takes to deliver that promise of a bright future for our towns, villages, and hamlets. An attorney. A former State Assemblyman. Someone familiar with the legislative process. Surely, he would be a leader, an advocate, a true representative of the causes of community. Sadly, it was not to be.
Twelve long years.
Through the Gulotta administration, when his own party ruled the roost in the Legislature and pulled the purse strings.
Twelve long years.
Through fiscal irresponsibility and the wink and nod of "turn the other cheek."
Twelve long years.
Through the policy of putting politics and party before people and practicality.
Twelve long years.
Vincent Muscarella has held that seat in the Legislature -- your seat in the Legislature -- and has done just that -- sat.
Twelve long years.
Silent. Stoic. Stiffled in the staleness of the status quo, our County Legislator sits -- with the notable exception of making appearances for ribbon cuttings and street namings, as the photo op may require of him.
Asked to run, to enter the fray, I thought to myself, "Is my quality of life better today than it was twelve long years ago?"
I took a good look at my 1995 property tax bill, and then at my most recent statement. No, I am not better off.
I took a walk along Hempstead Avenue, a County road, the plans for the reconstruction of which have been gathering dust on our Legislator's shelf for the better part of a decade. No, I am not better off.
I think about the County placing ex-cons, Level 1 Sex Offenders, and the indigent in motels and hotels in our neighborhoods, with our Legislator having the audacity to deny it. No, I am not better off.
I stroll through the local County park -- deemed "passive" (a code word for neglect) -- where the Legislature approved and spent more than one million dollars for a pond filtration system that gave out after a month, and hasn't filtered so much as an eyedropper full of water since the late 90s. No, I am not better off.
And what of the $150 million in Environmental Bond monies we voted for? Where and how has that been allocated by the Legislature? Where and how -- if at all -- is our money being spent?
No, I am not better off today than I was twelve years ago. Just twelve years older, and quite a bit wiser.
Yes, it will be an uphill battle to unseat someone who has, for all intents and purposes, been crazy-glued to his seat for twelve long years.
Then again, no one said change would come easy.
I am asking, as an independent voice in our community, not only for your support in this campaign and your vote on November 6th. I am asking you to take a long, hard look at the issues. Consider what matters most in your neck of our woods, to join the discussion and the debate, and to be a part of the Uhl Team in bringing real change to the 8th LD -- and maybe even some spare change into your wallet, once we address property taxes realistically, and not with political ploys that have no substance.
I invite you to read -- and, perhaps, contribute to -- The Uhl Blog. Your comments, your thoughts, your ideas matter. Hit our "links." Check out my website at www.uhlwin.com.
See how, together, we can begin to make a difference.
The opportunity to change, to move forward, to retake suburbia and recast our vision for that new Nassau everyone talks about, but no one seems to do anything about, is before us.
The power to effectuate that change is yours.
Please feel free to e-mail me at friendsofmichael@uhlwin.com, or to call me at 516-521-0044, with any questions, or to lend a hand.
Thank you!
Michael Uhl
West Hempstead, New York
www.uhlwin.com
Committee to Elect Michael Uhl, Nassau County Legislature
No comments:
Post a Comment