Majority Leader Schmitt Passes, Maragos Audit Finds Deficiencies

Nassau County Legislative Majority Leader Peter Schmitt died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack, a spokeswoman for the Legislative Majority said.

Schmitt, 62, who had a health scare last year, had a heart attack in the office of County Executive Ed Mangano. He was taken to Winthrop Hospital, where he could not be revived, according to spokeswoman Christina Brennan. He died at 11:55 a.m.

Legis. Norma Gonsalves, R-East Meadow, will take over for Schmitt as presiding officer. Funeral arrangements for Peter Schmitt are as follows:

Viewing:
Massapequa Funeral Home
4980 Merrick Road
Massapequa Park, NY

Saturday, Oct. 6; 2-4 p.m. & 7-9 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 7; 2-4 p.m. & 7-9 p.m.

Funeral Mass:
Saint Rose of Lima
2 Bayview Ave.
Massapequa, NY

Monday, Oct. 8; 11 a.m. Click here to read more about the late Peter Schmitt.

Maragos: Audit of the County’s 2011 Federal Awards Finds Compliance Deficiencies

An independent audit prepared by the Office of Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos, known as the single audit, found two-thirds of the 2011 federal funds programs tested had deficiencies, some dating back to 2007, with the federal compliance requirements or internal controls surrounding compliance.

Upon learning of the audit’s findings, the Mangano administration submitted a corrective action plan that focuses on comprehensive education and training of employees that will result in improved checks and balances, monitoring and oversight. According to a release from Maragos, this is important as the county is awarded millions of dollars in federal money for various programs on an annual basis. Compliance by the county is a major factor in determining whether municipalities will receive future awards.

"The future federal funding of these programs depends on the county implementing corrective actions immediately," Maragos said. "The numerous programs our residents rely upon will no longer be in jeopardy if compliance issues are fully addressed. I commend County Executive Mangano for already taking corrective steps to eliminate these deficiencies, some of which date back to 2007, to ensure the future funding of these programs."

County Executive Ed Mangano said an arrest of at least one long-time Department of Housing employee was made after his administration notified federal authorities of suspected improprieties and a lack of compliance with Federal requirements.

"With assistance from the Comptroller, District Attorney and HUD Inspector General, we have implemented corrective actions and will increase oversight and employee training to prevent neglect and abuse from occurring again," Mangano added.

The Department of Housing had issues with three of four programs tested, noting both non-compliance and significant deficiencies in internal control over compliance. The major programs with audit findings were the Community Development Block Grant, Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant, and Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing. Deficiencies generally included: errors in federal reporting of expenditures to the Comptroller’s Office, lack of supporting documentation, lack of employee training, inadequate checks and balances and poor cash management. 

The Comptroller’s office is responsible for annually preparing an audited report on the county’s compliance with the requirements of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s Circular A-133 regarding expenditures of federal funds. The audit selected 31 federal programs from which the county received awards during the 2011 calendar year. The selected grant awards were received by the county departments of Housing, Health, Social Services, Public Works, and Human Services.

Hofstra Presidential Debate to Affect Travel

Hofstra University will host the Presidential Debates at its Hempstead campus Tuesday, Oct. 16. Because of the highest level of security surrounding this historical event, NICE bus service in the surrounding Nassau Hub area will be greatly impacted.

Multiple road closures and detours will severely restrict travel in the area around the university. NICE bus riders traveling in the area may experience major delays and detours and should plan accordingly. The Nassau County Police Department and the Secret Service will lock down the area surrounding Hofstra University in phases beginning at 5 a.m. on the morning of the debate and continuing through approximately 11 p.m. that evening. Because of the high level of security, NICE bus will not know specifics about closures until just prior to the shut down, but will make every effort to keep passengers apprised of changes to the schedule and when and where buses are running.

Affected Bus Routes: n16, n23, n24, n27, n43, n45, n51, n70/71 and Able Ride. Bus stops in the lock down areas will not be serviced at those times and security demands that specific information regarding service suspension cannot be made available in advance. Able Ride passengers that may be affected will be contacted directly.

With reporting by Matthew Hogan