Winner, Loser

Though his name wasn't on the ballot, Gary DelaRaba was either the big winner or the big loser in Nassau County's elections. Opinions differ.

As you may know, DelaRaba used his position as leader of Nassau County's PBA to oppose the re-election of County Executive Tom Suozzi and Democratic legislators. Given the election returns, the PBA's $500,000 ad campaign looks like a big loser.

But think again.

The PBA used scary commercials to get its way in the Nassau Legislature. Just before the elections, the PBA's commercials--associating a series of home invasions to inadequate police staffing--helped stampede Nassau legislators into budgeting for another 100 cops; the PBA had demanded 300.

But how many cops does Nassau need, especially with crime rates falling?

It was also revealed recently that DelaRaba used his political clout to win an arbitration award making him the county's highest paid employee. He'll earn close to $280,000 this year, thanks to a $142,000 windfall.

The logic is mind-boggling: Arbitrator Martin Scheinman declared that DelaRaba and other union leaders were owed big bucks because union duties deprived them of opportunities for overtime pay as police officers. By the way, Suffolk legislators effectively banned Scheinman and other arbitrators working in Nassau.

There's nothing wrong with police unions engaging in politics. But why should the public have to pay the salaries of policemen who use their union positions to act like political bosses? Federal employees are bound by the Hatch Act, which forbids civil service workers, including FBI agents, from engaging in political campaigns. Sounds like a good idea. Steve Haar
Bayville, NY

DelaRaba is an embarrassment to the Nassau County police department. He is out for himself only and paying him $280,000 is insane. His job description calls for no more than $75,000 and the arbitrator who decided this should be jailed.