About eight years ago, Democrat Tom Suozzi, newly elected Nassau County Executive, was almost alone in the lobby after a Nassau County Council of Chambers legislative breakfast. And he took the liberty of expressing his joy in a little song and dance to “Happy Days Are Here Again,” the traditional political victory theme song.
Last week, Mr. Suozzi conceded an extremely tight race to Republican Ed Mangano, which should help the new administration get off to a better start than if we had had to wait through a protracted legal battle.
His nobility in defeat reminds us of an April 26, 2008, women’s baseball team between Central Washington University and Western Oregon University. Casey, the girl who hit the winning home run for the underdog team, was carried around the rest of the bases by two members of the opposing team after she fell and injured her knee, and the ump said her own team couldn’t help her.
We need that kind of bipartisan spirit as this county struggles to come out of the recession.
One way you can help is to do your holiday shopping in Nassau County. That will help us reach our projected sales tax revenues. The Nassau County Council of Chambers has started a new campaign urging everyone to remember “It starts here. Buy locally.”
Local stores will be displaying the slogan in their shop windows. They also help shoulder the tax burden and contribute to local PTA, sports and other fundraisers.
Together, we can bring back happy days.