At the Tuesday, Oct. 23 Town Board meeting, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto called this the "Silly Season." By that he meant a time when political candidates of the opposite party stand up and ask questions.

He made the announcement of "Silly Season" when Josephine Reder got up to question the budget. Watching the procedure, we took exception to the way she was treated. She had to justify asking a question by saying she was, after all, a resident of the town.

Mr. Venditto said, "For those who don't know, Josephine is a candidate for the upcoming election - This is the 'Silly Season.'"

Ms. Reder was asking how the board was able to come up with a budget when their audit for 2000 is not complete. She said, for school districts the law says they have to be ready in four months. It turned out the town has until Dec. 31, 2001 to finish the report. Ms. Reder has served on the school board for 18 years.

Town Councilman Angelo Delligatti quipped, "Are you going to raise taxes like the schools?"

Ms. Reder had her own answer saying it was because of the great schools in Nassau County that people want to live here.

Councilwoman Bonnie Eisler said "I've had these questions before. You can't ridicule people for asking them."

Mr. Venditto said Ms. Reder wasn't talking about taxes, she was grandstanding. "I remind everyone we are two weeks away from the town election and you are a candidate in this election and what is being overlooked is that we had extensive hearings, comments, in the preliminary budget. This resolution is to finalize the budget."

Lenny Symons said, "Let's set rules of discipline with respect and civility for each other." Later Mr. Symons commented that the Democrats were there because of a lack of participation of their team earlier.

Mr. Venditto held to his opinion that the time to raise the issues had passed, but said, "we will listen although the time has passed." He added that when there was time for changing the document, the Democrats weren't there to speak up. He added a comment about "an inaccurate, scurrilous piece of political rhetoric against the town budget put out by the Democrats about the town being $54 million in debt."

That was when Joe Loritz walked up to the clerk's desk and signed in as a speaker.

"Now you're signing up and making a joke of the process for the benefit of political gain because you didn't do it before," said Mr. Venditto.

Bonnie Eisler said, "This is a public meeting. If anyone asks a question, it should be answered. This is a tense time for those running. Please treat anyone with courtesy and without commentary. This speaker asked questions I asked before."

They did ask and they were given answers. Town Director of Finances Bob McEvoy answered questions, one of which was about co-mingled funds from cell tower revenue.

In the discussion Ms. Eisler suggested a different accounting entry method that Mr. McEvoy said could be used. Her comment was that it was more reflective of what's happening.

As the discussion wound down, Mr. Venditto said, "In the 'Quiet Season' we should get together with the department heads and talk about the budget."

"Did that mean we would be setting formal goals?" asked Ms. Eisler.

"We will have to see if it can be done," said Mr. Venditto.

He added that it was good for all elected officials to see the world from a department head's view and said that could happen in February when things are quieter.

Not to be stopped, Ms. Eisler asked for "enhanced reporting - footnotes."

"We will look to do footnotes," said Mr. Venditto.

He summed up the budget debate saying, "When I became supervisor we were on life support. We are breathing now. I hope this budget will turn the corner and we will see healthy surpluses."

Mr. Loritz still had a question. He said, "My understanding of budget gives indications that we have a 1998-1999 cummulative shortage and without the audit we can't see if the money has come in. We would like to know based on real documented evidence. We need some accuracy in governmental statements and candidate statements. We make statements on the material we have."

It was an interesting discussion and included Bond Anticipation Notes that it turns out are not listed as revenue. It was a lesson in accounting for all who were there: not a lot of us.

Councilman Delligatti said, "A budget is an estimate of expenditures and revenues. When the NYS Comptroller points out revenues are not realized that doesn't mean it's a deficit. Still expenses may be less and other revenues may be higher." As an example he gave a recreation figure of $600,000 that would not come in until after June 30, so it would look like a deficit before that time.

Ms. Eisler said, "I have a significant financial background. I've spent many hours going through the budget." She still had questions that needed to be answered.

Mr. Venditto answered, "I take what you say, but it's the height of the Silly Season. Criticisms are valid. We'll take them under advisement. But it's hurtful to town residents when my opponent crosses the line."

Mr. Lotitz defended himself saying, "When I read the summary report the fund deficit is $55 million."

There were more questions from the floor and Mr. Venditto said, "It's like a Marx Brothers movie."

Loyal board watcher Ted Swiencki said he never sees a Republican question the budget. He added most on the board are there because of loyalty to the party.

Mr. Venditto said while they may all disagree on the specifics: "Everyone wants to do the best for the Town of Oyster Bay. Once Election Day is over everyone rolls their sleeves up and does the work."

Mr. Swiencki commented on the signs all over town saying "Mostly the biggest signs are the losers." Mr. Symons said, "I have only three. I hope that makes me a winner."

Ms. Reder was back with a process question. "Do you all look at the budget line by line as a group?" The answer was no.

They said they had all gone through the budget however.

She asked if they could hold budget workshops next time. Mr. Venditto said he would put that "under advisement."

Ms. Eisler said, "Hopefully we will make progress for next year with goals, reportability and new accounting methods. Hopefully next year we can have meetings with department heads and can come up with an open budget process."

"Anything that improves the process I'm in favor of," said Mr. Venditto.

It was a long way to go to end in a good decision. We were glad to have heard it, and learned a bit more about the budget process. It is a shame there is such animosity in the air in what Mr. Venditto calls the "Silly Season."

Actually it is the one time when the town focuses on what is happening in government and maybe it should be called the Study Season.

The more we know, the better off we are. Knowledge is Power was the banner over my high school entrance. It was carved in American granite.

- DFK