Race for Police Commissioner

Chris Byrne, Dave Franklin, Barry Loeb, H. Reed Markham, and Robert Hogan are running for Port Washington police commissioner.  Franklin and Loeb are both write in candidates. Patch posed the following questions to each candidate as they face a tight race. Polls for this and other special district elections take place Tues., Dec. 14, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. at .

1. Why are you running?

Byrne: I consider my most important job as a parent to be ensuring the safety and security of my children. With three kids in our schools I take comfort knowing there are dedicated police close by to respond in any emergency. I want to make sure that school safety remains a priority of the police district and that it keeps the school safety officer program, enforces traffic safety and works closely with schools to be alert for child predators near school properties.

Having moved into town near the peak of the real estate market and with three college tuitions to plan for, I am keenly aware of the financial stresses many of my fellow residents are feeling in the current economy. So, I am also seeking to ensure our tax dollars are used efficiently and that fiscal matters are carefully considered in order to get the best protection for our money.

I see opportunities to elevate the level of transparency in the district's operations. It's clear to me that resident's need more effective channels of communication to stay informed about public safety and department matters. 

I believe that commissioners should personify integrity, champion local government and be committed to safeguarding the community's quality of life.

Franklin: Last year, when Maureen O'Rourke was stepping down, she approached me and suggested I run. She knew me as a person of honesty, integrity and fairness, and knew my skills would lend to the commission. My wife and I chaired the fundraiser last year, so I ran an abbreviated campaign. I was, however, energized by the thought of serving the community. I spent the last year getting to know the personalities, problems and issues of the commission and the police, attending over 30 meetings of the Board of Commissioners. There seems to be a lack of real communication between the two sides, and between the commissioners as well. My communication skills and leadership would eventually get the commissioners and the police on the same side, where they should be. They are all part of the same force dedicated to serve Port Washington. The relationship need not be adversarial, as it seems now. I am also dedicated to serving the community as well. I have no hidden agenda, no ulterior motive. I have a long record of community service. This is one more way to serve, and give back to the people of our town. Sometimes attitudes and approaches get stale. Sometimes the status quo needs a kick. I am an interested outsider, asking questions about where our money is going and why. I want transparency, and I want you to want it too.

Hogan: A great benefit of the is its mission to serve only Port residents, and is not subject to other deployments as directed by Mineola or Albany. Our police district has the advantage of safeguarding our community while closely interacting with its residents. Port Washington Police District has a 90 year tradition of providing this sense of security to Port residents – a tradition I wish to continue and expand. I believe I'm the candidate best qualified to do this based on my lifetime of public service.

Loeb: I am running for the office of Port Washington Police District commissioner because I believe that this is a critical time for our police. Contract negotiations are ongoing. There are heated discussions about a new headquarters. The crunch of everyday policing continues. Our community needs a commissioner who can "hit the ground running." I am that candidate. My unmatched 20 year attendance at police meetings makes me the only candidate qualified to do so. 

Markham: I have lived in Port and worked in Port all my life.  I have always loved this town and this police department. I want to give back to the community.  I know this town more intimately than any other candidate. I am a retired businessman and have the time to bring my extensive business experience to the police district. This is an asset because the position of police commissioner is that of a business administrator, not a police officer. I am always available because I live in Port Washington. I know the historical background of Port Washington. I can link the past to the future for the good of all our citizens.

2. As a commissioner, what strength would you bring to the position?

Byrne: Objective executive management skills. The commissioner role is, fundamentally, executive supervision, which is my current profession.  As a senior vice president of a major financial services company, I headed an internal compliance audit division where I interacted with Federal and State regulators; enforced policies, laws and regulations; conducted fraud and misconduct investigations and executed management functions including hiring; capacity planning; staff and operational performance evaluations; budgeting and logistics.  I believe this experience will allow me to bring fresh perspective and independence to the board. With no personal business interests in town and no prior relationships with the board, I do not have any conflicts with the best interest of the community at large.  

Franklin: My strengths are diverse. In my life I have worn many hats. I was a shop steward for HBO for 12 years, elected each year by my peers to negotiate the contracts, and to give guidance to their careers. Every day I work with the cutting edge of communication technology, including many devices, which could be used in bettering the flow of information to the police. I bring excellent communication skills, which will lead to greater community involvement and transparency. I will post a weekly blog telling the public what we are up to. I would bring cameras into our meetings and broadcast via public access for greater public awareness. Above all I bring leadership. Silly as it may sound I have been voted captain of every team I've ever been associated with. As stated above, elected shop steward 12 consecutive years for the leadership I provided. People put their trust in me, and I do not let them down. As a writer, I am also an abstract thinker. I look outside the box, and am often recognized at HBO for my creative problem solving. I run toward problems, not away from them. These skills present different and complementary ideas and opinions to the two commissioners who bring police experience to the table. 

Hogan: I have several important qualifications for success in this position. Several candidates believe law enforcement experience in a law enforcement job is unnecessary. I disagree. My varied law enforcement experience together with my accomplishments and successes in leading organizations is what makes me the strongest candidate.

The inability of the other candidates to lead is evidenced by their inability to follow the simple – yet necessary – requirements of the nominating petitions' procedures. Two of the four are running as write-in candidates. One of your other choices was disqualified from the formal ballot because he couldn't prepare the official nominating petition properly; the other didn't care enough about the job to bother submitting the nominating petition or to appear at the recent forum hosted by the League of Women Voters. Are these the skills or attitudes Port Washington needs?

The voters of Port Washington, when considering candidates' qualifications, should decide whether community involvement and tenure as a Port resident, alone are enough to succeed as police commissioner. In addition to merely living here and attending community and school meetings, wouldn't it benefit Port Washington to have a commissioner who also brings applicable skills and experience as practiced in both a governmental and community setting to the board of commissioners?

That is the one strength I bring to this position, a strength none of the other candidates possess.

Loeb: The strength I would bring to the position of commissioner is this community. Aside from my 20 years of attendance at police district meetings, I have been involved in diverse community related activities. I have been involved with civic associations, our , our special districts, our , our school board and our visioning process. Many in our community know of the battle I do each year with the town board at their budget hearing over excessive administrative fees the town charges our special and fire districts.

Our elected commissioners are not only the guiding body for the police district but the conduit through which the community makes its wishes known. My broad based community experience is my strength. I am already conversant with many of the issues that concern Port Washington.

My 20-year involvement with our police district is also my strength. I am more schooled in the operation of our police district than any other candidate.

Markham:

•  Experience of meeting a payroll for approximately 14 employees for over 28 years.
• Owned two businesses – Glen Head Electric Shop and GHE Energy Conservation Systems.

• Served on the Board of Directors of the Nassau Electric League and the National Board of Directors of the National Association of Insulation Contractors in Washington, DC.

• Served as a consultant and advisor for the recent multimillion dollar renovation and restoration of the Bayles Building, the current home of .

• Managed a Trust; I have been involved with real estate sales, rentals, maintenance and construction.

• Been involved in the planning and renovation projects for my customers.

• Lifetime experience in the private sector (U.S. Navy excluded) dealing with financial and construction projects. I am the only candidate with this experience. This would be an asset to the Port Washington Police District because I would carefully review all financial and construction proposals.

I would like to reiterate once again the position of police commissioner is that of a business administrator, not a police officer.  I have the lifelong experience of overseeing finances.

3. Where do you stand on the proposed plans for a new police station?

Byrne: My position is that the PWPD needs to step back and reassess the current plan. Given that Port North had/has this property in mind to complete its plan to add its own village facilities and more public recreation/green space, it seems to me that the best course of action is to step back and work together to consider solutions that work well for everyone – we are, after all, neighbors.

That means I would support exercising the opt-out in the current contract in order to allow time to explore alternatives.... with all interested parties involved. I don't see the urgency to rush such a far reaching and important decision.

I do believe however, that the current police headquarters facility is insufficient and that our police need to be properly and adequately equipped. Clearly, there is a need for an upgrade. However, I'm most concerned with the potential impact to taxes that could result and believe more needs to be known in this regard in before moving forward with any remedy.

Franklin: As I have stated since the beginning of my campaign, I am against the proposed new building at its present site. In this era of tax and spend, we need to draw the line and say no to more taxes. We do need a new building, but nothing on the grand scale that was presented to us on Dec. 2nd.  I propose to bring the existing building up to code, and find a smaller auxiliary structure to house administrative personnel, files, all the things lending to the overcrowding of the existing building. Then, we could renovate the existing building to meet the needs of what would now be considered a "precinct" of sorts. With the files moved out, the garage could actually be used as a garage and alleviate some of the parking problems. When I asked about the cost of bringing the building up to code, nobody had an answer, as though it had not been considered. My first act will be to get our deposit back, and focus on the best ways to expand without adding more burden that the taxpayers should have to bear. Now that the Bush tax cuts may be allowed to expire, many residents would have to pay more before we talk about a new building. With this in mind we need to be more cost-effective. We know what we have and we know what the present commissioners want. Let's focus on what we need without breaking the bank.

Hogan: Since 2006, I've been aware of the proposed options for a new headquarters, as I covered this topic for the Port Washington News. Over the years, expanding needs in the Port Washington community have resulted in increased demands on our police department. These demands would best be met with increased office and parking space to accommodate this increase at whichever facility houses our growing department. Minimally, the district must ensure that whatever facility/location houses the department, compliance with all building regulations is paramount. Compliance is more difficult in our current 50-year-old facility because safety/community needs have increased, causing the personnel and fleet requirements to expand. Our headquarters and motor vehicle facilities have surpassed capacity.

I commend the steps already undertaken by the department to educate the public on the condition of the present headquarters and the plans for new one. The public meetings and tours of the present headquarters will go a long way to ensure Port residents that a solution needs to be reached – are public safety and budgetary considerations best served by acquiring a new facility?

There is another important and immediately pressing decision borne out of this relocation debate. Residents may be called upon to address, via referendum, the completely opposite alternative of merging the Port Washington Police District into the Nassau County Police Department.

Loeb: We need a new headquarters facility. The current facility is both inefficient and unsafe. I have always been a strong supporter of safety for both our community and our police. My business side deplores the inefficiency.

I am in favor of a reasoned approach to a new facility. The current building could be razed and rebuilt but several factors argue against that. The current physical property is too small. Even if we built an acceptable building, we would still be hampered by a property one-third the size recommended for our needs. During such a rebuilding process, the police functions would have to be moved off-site. This is a very expensive process.

I have many reservations about the proposed site in Port North. I would consider it only as a "last resort."

In the recent past I have proposed several other sites to the commissioners. As commissioner, I would revisit these sites and any others put before the board before I made a decision.

Markham: This should actually be a two-part question.

A.  Purchase of Property

The commissioners contracted to purchase 4 ½ acres of land for $2.5 million.  This will be paid for with Federal asset seizure money – in other words, money that was seized from drug dealers.  This purchase will not increase the budget of the Port Washington Police District.  This real estate purchase was done on the down side of the market.  In three or four years, if the public finds a better location, if they decide to do nothing, the property could be sold.  More than likely real estate values will rise and the district could break even or possibly make a profit.  The commissioners made a very prudent business decision, therefore I would not vote to rescind the purchase.

B.   New Police Headquarters

The present Police Headquarters is over 50 years old.  It is overcrowded and cannot be expanded or renovated any more.  Structurally, a second story cannot be added and the parking problem would still exist.  It is not practical to try to resolve all these issues with a 'fix' to the current headquarters building.

Over the next few years, there will be many opportunities at public meetings to get input and ideas from the community before any plans are drawn up.  I encourage all concerned citizens in Port Washington to consider these issues seriously and be prepared to provide input to the police commissioners.  I for one will be ready to listen. 

4. How do you feel about consolidation?

Byrne: Against it.

Consolidating our police with Nassau's would undoubtedly alter our community's quality of life, property values and ability to influence service priorities.

While it's possible the police tax could be lowered a bit if the district is dissolved (how much is anyone's guess), homeowners insurance rates will surely rise, offsetting any potential savings. So, without real reduction in out-of-pocket costs, such drastic action seems rash, hardly beneficial and could even backfire.

Nassau's bond rating outlook was recently downgraded due to the county's tenuous finances (deficits in three prior fiscal years). By contrast, North Hempstead's ratings are improving. To close its' budget deficits, Nassau will either raise taxes, cut services or both. Consolidating now would be jumping from the tax frying pan into the tax fire.

Moreover, the message to gangs and criminals currently deterred by PWPD would be "Port Washington – now open for business" and we run the risk of higher crime rates – similar to other Nassau towns using NCPD. 

Most importantly, once the Police District is dissolved, that's it. No trial runs, no do-over. It's irreversible.

Interestingly neighboring villages currently using NCPD have asked about switching to PWPD. Such overtures reinforce my belief that PWPD is a valuable asset that we must protect.

Franklin: I will always oppose consolidation. On a house valued at $822,000 the savings you would see from consolidation would be roughly $500, which I equate to a cup of coffee a day. I think it is well worth the money. If you call 911, barring an existing emergency you will have two police cars at your door within three minutes. Right now the town is divided into four sectors, with a roving patrol car and a shift commander available as well. If we switched to NCPD, we would not have the same service. Speaking of service, should you get locked out of your home or car, Port Police will respond to help you, while NCPD would not....I breathe a little easier knowing that the Port Police are patrolling, and my family and property are safe. I could never put a dollar value on that piece of mind. I think we have a great department from top to bottom, and I would never do anything to get rid of them. 

Hogan: Two primary considerations are how a merger impacts public safety in the Port community, and would the cost savings/expense to Port residents make it worthwhile? Factors to be considered in making this determination are:

1. Would a merger shift decision-making and patrol employment on the level of police coverage from Port Washington to Mineola in a way unfavorable to [Port Washington]? If the latter, I believe consideration would first be given to Nassau County, and only then to Port Washington as one among many towns being served. Secondly, police staffing will be reduced further depending upon conditions in the Sixth Precinct which would cover [Port Washington] as well as communities as far south as Northern State Parkway.

An audit of the estimated tax impact compared against the potential consequences cited above is required to answer these questions, so that Port residents can make an informed decision on what's best for our community.

Loeb: I am against consolidating the Port Washington Police District into any larger police organization. Nassau County has never been forthcoming with much information but there are several things we do know. Any police facility we have will be abandoned. Our officers will be dispersed throughout the county and we would lose the current advantage of officers who know our streets and people.  Staffing would be cut by 50 percent. Patrol would be reduced. 

We pay a differential to have a two minute response time, officers who know us and our community and locally elected officials to hear and respond to us. That said, this differential in cost has to be managed and it has been, is and always will be my goal to keep the Port Washington Police District affordable to our community.

Markham: If [I] am elected commissioner I would not vote to dissolve the Port Washington Police District.  My reasons are as follows:

a.    I love this town and this police department.  Our officers do a great job protecting us.

b.    My family was involved in creating this department before Nassau County had a police department.

c.     The response time to a call for our Port Washington Police is about 2 ½ minutes.  The average Nassau County response time is about 20 minutes.

d.    The police officers are around town; they know the community and their problems.

e.    If residents have a problem they can always go to the chief of police and if they do not receive a satisfactory answer, they can go to the Board of Commissioners.  This would not happen with the Nassau County Police force.

When I was on the Port Washington Police District Charter Revision Committee, we put in the provision that the voters, if they were dissatisfied with the police department, they could petition to have a resolution on the next ballot to dissolve the department.  Prior to that, only the Board of Commissioners could dissolve the Department.  If the voters wanted to dissolve the department, I would not stand in their way.