Former County Executive Thomas Suozzi acknowledged to reporters during his first two years in office that the county’s parks system was not a top priority. It’s no wonder the condition of county parks did worsen throughout his term.
Crumbling playgrounds, uncared for athletic fields and broken park benches were Tom's legacy.
Not only should Suozzi have paid more attention to the parks, he should have paid more attention to the people he chose to run them.
Deputy County Executive Michael Klein, hired from New York City to lead the parks, resigned after revelations in Newsday that his two aides had been earning full-time pay while designated as “seasonal” employees.
In fact, the two seasonal clerks, also from New York City, were paid a total of $250,000 over the two years they worked in the parks department.
Peter Sylver and Michael Klein were allegedly both Suozzi lackeys trying to do his bidding under the political radar screen. Unfortunately for Tom, they were caught and we all know the parks suffered.
Crumbling playgrounds, uncared for athletic fields and broken park benches were Tom's legacy.
Not only should Suozzi have paid more attention to the parks, he should have paid more attention to the people he chose to run them.
Deputy County Executive Michael Klein, hired from New York City to lead the parks, resigned after revelations in Newsday that his two aides had been earning full-time pay while designated as “seasonal” employees.
In fact, the two seasonal clerks, also from New York City, were paid a total of $250,000 over the two years they worked in the parks department.
Peter Sylver and Michael Klein were allegedly both Suozzi lackeys trying to do his bidding under the political radar screen. Unfortunately for Tom, they were caught and we all know the parks suffered.
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