Nuzzi Receives GOP Nomination, Will Face Schneiderman

It's official — Southampton Town Councilman Chris Nuzzi is the Republicans' pick to attempt to unseat incumbent Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman.

Nuzzi, a Westhampton Beach resident and member of the Republican Party, received the Suffolk County Republican Committee's nomination Tuesday in an uncontested vote.

“The campaign officially begins," Nuzzi said Wednesday. "It’s going to be an exciting and interesting few months till Election Day.”

Suffolk County GOP Chairman John Jay LaValle said he has known Nuzzi for some time as an "extremely hard working conscientious individual.”


Nuzzi worked under LaValle as deputy chief of staff when LaValle was supervisor of Brookhaven Town.


"He did a phenomenal job; he’s a brilliant guy ...” LaValle said. "He’s the perfect type of person to have in public office."

Nuzzi said he is looking forward to talking to both ends of the district, which runs from East Moriches to Montauk, about some of the successes Southampton Town has had during his seven and a half years in office. He said he will also raise issues that he feels have not been adequately addressed by the County Legislature and Schneiderman in particular.

Schneiderman, a Montauk resident, is a member of the Independence Party. He is in his fifth term and seeking a final two-year term.

Nuzzi said the latest reports have shown a $150 million 2012 budget deficit for the county. He said Southampton has been faced with similar challenges, especially when the recession hit, but solutions were brought forward such as hiring freezes and cutting staff that have closed deficits while also cutting the tax levy.

In the same vein, LaValle said Schneiderman is not fiscally responsible, adding, "He has voted for every tax increase he could possibly vote for, and he did so in exchange for political support.”

But that is far from the truth, according to Schneiderman. "I haven't voted for any tax increases," he said. "My district doesn’t pay a dime more than when I took office."

In fact, he said, during his nine-plus years as a legislator his district's residents have not seen their general fund property taxes go up at all. A small sliver of the Second Legislative District that lies in the Suffolk County Police District saw a modest increase that did not affect residents of Southampton and East Hampton towns, he said.

He has been part of the difficult decisions the Legislature has made to get the projected deficit under control, including hundreds of layoffs, he said.

Another goal Nuzzi wishes to accomplish as a county legislator is for Suffolk to make a new commitment to environmental preservation, ensuring that the last remaining areas that should be preserved for open space or historic purposes are indeed preserved. Plus, he urged that the county put incentives in place for the upgrading or replacement of outdated septic systems that threaten local waters.

Schneiderman said the county has done a tremendous job of preserving open space and farmland — nearly $1 billion worth.

With the GOP nomination in hand, Nuzzi said he plans to persue the endorsements of the Independence and Conservatives parties, which backed him during both of his campaigns for councilman.

Independence Party Chairman Frank MacKay said Wednesday that Nuzzi is welcome to screen with the party, "but he probably has better use of his time.”

MacKay said Nuzzi is a formidable candidate, but, “No question: We’re with Jay Schneiderman 100 percent.”
 
Schneiderman was a Republican when he was first elected to his seat, but in 2008 he switched his registration to the Independence Party. Since he left the GOP, the Montauk resident gained the backing of the Suffolk Democrats.