Beginning his second year in office, County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi addressed the combined Rotary Clubs of Port Washington, Manhasset, Roslyn and Great Neck on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at an 8 a.m. breakfast meeting in the Fish Kebab restaurant in Port Washington.

After an introduction by Edward Pakel, president of the Port Washington Rotary Club, Suozzi's address to the approximately 75 Rotarians began with high praise for Nassau County's assets, citing the rising property values and the lowest crime rate of the nation's major counties. This positive note was quickly erased by his charge that Nassau County has everything, but "its government stinks," referring to its past poor record keeping and administration of its resources. His strongest criticism of Nassau County government was leveled at the county's one-party Republican control in the past three decades.

Suozzi went into his five-point plan for Nassau's recovery. He cited numerous examples of his administration's initial successes, including improved ratings from Moody's and Standard and Poor, a work force reduction of 10 percent, and the initiation of his long-term plan for debt reduction. He explained his concept of economic development areas, which merge communities such as Port Washington and Manhasset, to foster approaches that best serve larger areas such as the Port Washington peninsula. He reassured homeowners, repeating his pledge of no additional increases in real estate taxes during his first administration.

Suozzi made flattering remarks about the beauty of the Manhasset Bay waterfront community. He remarked that people drive to their primary highways in other Nassau communities only if there is a reason to go there. He noted that Port's Main Street is a thoroughfare motorists enjoy as they drive through to reach the community centers of attraction such as the Landmark, the town dock and the waterfront. He professed support for the fledgling interest in developing Port Washington as a tourist town. His presentation was followed by a question and answer session.

In his delivery, Suozzi expressed his concern for the young and the old, the environment, schools, preservation of open spaces and quality of life issues. In a note that may speak as much to his future as his past, he expressed admiration for the 100,0000 Republican voters who helped elect him.

A lawyer and CPA, Suozzi's credentials include his four terms as mayor of Glen Cove. He is the youngest elected Nassau County executive and the first Democrat to hold the office in three decades.