Nov 4, 2009 7:29 pm US/Eastern
Nassau Exec Race Undecided, But High Taxes Remain
BETHPAGE, N.Y. (CBS) ―
An election cliffhanger has stunned voters and candidates in Nassau County. A recount has been ordered in the race for County Executive following an election night simmering with voter anger over taxes and the economy.
Sixteen years ago, Barbara and Thomas Poggio moved to their ranch home in Bethpage. "We moved in August of 1993 and our taxes were around $4,000-$4,200 at the time," they said. Now their property taxes have tripled.
"We have two children. One just finished college and one is a freshman right now, and things are difficult," Thomas said.
"And keep in mind we both work two jobs in order to do that and keep ourselves out of debt," Barbara said.
The Poggios said they're buried under whopping property tax assessment bills.
"It's the taxes. It's jobs," Barbara said. The Poggios crossed party lines and took their complaints to the polls, pulling the lever for Republican challenger Edward Mangano in the still undecided race for Nassau County executive.
"Property taxes is the number one issue. Everyone that we spoke to, it's on their mind," Mangano said.
The Democrats' expected victory party turned somber. A county court order has frozen machines and paper ballots. Absentee votes were still coming in. Incumbent Thomas Suozzi was predicted to breeze to victory.
"The public is very upset. It's happening nationally. It's happening statewide," Suozzi said. "Here on Long Island it's clear: people are mad as hell about property taxes."
But, the Democrats argue, most of that whopping property tax bill is school taxes, over which they have no control.
Still, "this is no longer about Democrats, Republicans, conservatives, it's problems that need to be solved. And they are fiscal problems. I'm feeling the pinch. My husband's feeling the pinch. I'm sure our neighbors are feeling the pinch," Barbara said.
After ten years, the Republicans just reclaimed the Legislature in Nassau, but the county executive race wont be decided for at least two more weeks.
Suozzi held a slim lead of less than 300 votes. Their fate will be decided by absentee ballots.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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