Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman wants to use $10 million in federal coronavirus relief aid for a series of events celebrating the county’s 125th anniversary next year, but Democratic lawmakers say the money They argue that the money would be better spent on mental health and social welfare programs.
In 2021, the federal government awarded Nassau County $385 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. Under U.S. Treasury guidelines, Nassau must designate the funds by Dec. 31, 2024, and spend by the end of 2026.
The county allocated $186.6 million and spent $69.5 million, according to Treasury Department data through June 30.
Blakeman said in a statement that commemorative events could include concerts, car shows and professional golf tournaments. His request to set aside $10 million was approved by the county council’s finance committee on Dec. 4.
What you need to know
- Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman wants to use $10 million in federal coronavirus relief aid for a series of events to celebrate the county’s 125th anniversary next year.
- The county is specify The $385 million received from the American Rescue Plan Act will be received by December 31, 2024 and disbursed by the end of 2026 in accordance with U.S. Treasury guidelines.
- Democratic lawmakers say That money would be better spent on mental health and social welfare programs.
“The funds that Congress authorized to be transferred are solely for the purpose of establishing a secession fund for various potential and actual 125th anniversary commemorations,” Blakeman, a Republican, said in a statement. “Funds provided by the federal government have specific usage criteria, including tourism and economic development, both of which will be part of the 125th commemoration.”
He said the county council would need to approve all expenditures related to the celebrations.
Blakeman will finalize the plan in January and seek input from lawmakers, officials said.
“The plan is to advertise and hold large-scale events, as this will promote tourism and comply with national regulations.” [American Rescue Plan Act] ” Nassau Budget Director Andrew Persich told lawmakers in the Finance Committee. “This is part of what we have to do to promote this county and it’s a good mechanism to do that.
“We need to get the ball rolling in order to come up with a plan,” he added.
The committee approved the bill 4-2 on a bipartisan basis. Regis. Carrie Solage (D-Lawrence) and Arnold Drucker (D-Plainview) opposed it. The full House is scheduled to vote on Dec. 18.
Soges asked Persich, “Why aren’t you putting this money into that area, whether it’s social services or mental health?”
Persich said the county is increasing funding for social services in next year’s budget and will use other aid to address these issues.
“To prioritize tourism over other critical needs of our residents, such as treating mental health issues, substance abuse, homelessness, veterans, economic hardship, and challenges experienced by small businesses,” Drucker said in an interview. “This is where $10 million will go.” You should go to ”
Nassau has earmarked the largest portion of its coronavirus aid, $30 million, for grants to help small businesses and nonprofits that have suffered losses during the pandemic. The effort cost $20 million.
The county also distributed one-time $375 checks to property owners who met income criteria or demonstrated pandemic-related hardships, for a total of more than $28 million.
The county has allocated more than $2 million in coronavirus aid to tourism campaigns, according to Treasury Department records. Nassau spent $600,000 on the 30-second commercial, which aired for two weeks in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arizona, upstate New York and metropolitan areas, and on right-wing TV channel Newsmax.
Mr. Blakeman appears at the end of the commercial wearing a gray pinstriped suit with the words “Nassau County, Golden,” next to the county logo and his name, “Bruce A. Blakeman, Nassau County Executive” From coast to coast,” it declares.
His proposed event for next year would officially coincide with the anniversary of the separation of the three towns of Nassau from Queens on January 1, 1899.
On January 3, 1899, the Nassau County Board of Supervisors held its first meeting at the firehouse on Main Street in Mineola. Board members decided on the coat of arms (lion, azure). Its seal (7 pieces around the lion). and a flag (orange).
In 1999, then-County Executive Thomas Gulotta organized an event featuring historical reenactments at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, a three-day conference at Hofstra University, and the opening of a time capsule placed in the county courthouse in 1900. Oversaw the year-long 100th anniversary celebrations.
According to Newsday archives, actors reenact footage from the first Board of Supervisors meeting, when Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay county leaders adjourned after failing to agree on the appointment of the first county clerk. It is said that it was reproduced.