Of course real problems do exist in Nassau County and must be dealt with in the coming year. In 2011 one of the wealthiest and highly taxed counties in the nation nearly went bankrupt. In June a state oversight board took control of the county’s finances when it failed to balance a $2.7 billion budget.
In the same year the county police department crime lab was closed down. Because of shoddy work hundreds of convictions are in jeopardy and criminals could be set free.
Although we are doing better than some communities, the rate of unemployment here remains far too high. This has contributed to a housing crisis and a record number of foreclosures.
And although we have some of the best public schools in the state, there are other schools in Nassau County that are so poorly equipped, offer such a poor education and are so dangerous that parents are willing to lie about their address if that’s what it takes to get their children into the better schools.
In these and other ways 2011 was a tough year but hope springs eternal and we believe that better times lie ahead in the coming year.
A Blank Slate Media Editorial
