Local government practices and administration in Oyster Bay, New York

Local NY Gov.

The Local Government Practices of Oyster Bay, New York

In order to have a better community in which to live and work, I believe it is important to have an understanding of how the government works at the local level. By having this understanding, one is empowered with the tools and knowledge to make the community even better. It also creates a sense of belonging and involvement one may have not had before. It promotes participation and encourages people in the community to exercise their rights. By holding back and not acquiring this knowledge and appreciation of one's hometown government, one does not have the right to complain, voice their opinions or find fault with outstanding problems or issues with the government. Complacency is far too prominent in our society today. Many people do not think that one individual or vote can make a difference. Still I believe this is not true and by getting involved at the local level combats this feeling and aids in inspiring involvement at other levels.

This paper will examine the local government of Oyster Bay, New York, a town located on New York State's Long Island. This paper will discuss the existing administrative structure and leadership. How do the town officials attain office and what are their responsibilities once they are there? The paragraphs below will explore recent issues the government has handles or become involved with for the town's better interests. How were these issues resolved? What kind of action was needed for the outcome? This paper will examine the local government's effectiveness in serving its citizens. What kinds of services are available to the public? The paragraphs below will also offer ideas for possible changes that I would make it I had the power instilled in me.

Administrative Structure

The administrative structure of the town's government is typical for a community of its size. As with other levels of United States government, this local government runs along the same premise. Therefore this government runs democratically, meaning that every citizen has a say or vote in how the government is ran and the town is managed. This applies to how its government officials are brought to office and how its decisions are made. Officials reach office by being voted in by their citizens. Because of Oyster Bay's population, the town does not warrant having an official position labeled as "mayor." The town is not large enough, however, it has a Town Supervisor who oversees the town's government process and manages the town's everyday functions. The town of Oyster Bay oversees the welfare of smaller towns in area or hamlets such as: Hicksville, Massapeequa, Farmingdale, Brookville, Cove Neck and East Norwich to name a few (oysterbaytown.com). These are towns that are too small in population to establish their own forms of local government and therefore, fall under the jurisdiction of Oyster Bay. These hamlets piece together the town.

The Town Supervisor manages a group of local government representatives from different hamlets within the town. The councilmen and women make up the town board as an official government body. These councilmen and women are appointed to the board and aid the Town Supervisor in making decisions. These councilmen and women must be re-appointed but there is not a limit of how many terms they can serve. The town has a clerk who handles Oyster Bay's court system. This person manages filings and other court documents for public use. The town also employs a Receiver of Taxes. This person is responsible for handling all taxes for the town including payment of citizen property taxes on a yearly basis. Both of these positions are decided through elections.

Leadership

John Venditto is the 59th Supervisor of the Town of Oyster Bay and took office January 1, 1998. He has nearly two decades of experience in public service to the Supervisor's office. He served as Town Attorney from 1991 to December 1997 and as a Town Councilman from 1981 to 1991. As the leader of Oyster Bay, Supervisor Venditto is respected as a hardworking, creative and dedicated lawmaker. He brings a unique blend of ability and experience that comes from serving the Town both as an elected and appointed official. No problem is too small to warrant his full attention. Whether his concerns range from securing new fencing for a ball field or drafting complex legislation to safeguard the Town's future, both get equal attention. Supervisor Venditto considers himself a fiscal conservative who works hard to make government efficient and provide quality public services at the lowest costs to taxpayers. He has cut spending and has kept Town taxes below 1989 levels. Homeowners are paying approximately $37 less in Town taxes now in 2001 than 12 years ago (oysterbaytown.com).

After looking at the town board's information page and biographies, it is safe to say that most of the board has decades of experience with local government issues, community service awards and years of providing service to the town. This year there are only two new members to the board. The addition of these new members will give the board fresh ideas to consider and possibly open up new dialogue.

Local Government Effectiveness in Serving Citizen's Needs

The town of Oyster Bay has been ranked of America's best towns to live, learn, work and play (oysterbaytown.com). This fact only becomes more evident as one looks at the resources available to the community. Not only does Oyster Bay provide a sense of natural beauty with its parks and beaches but it also maintains its historical glory. It does this by providing excellent recreational sites that encourage its citizens to get out and about. Many of the town's services are typical like public safety, schools, hospitals and libraries. The town goes a step beyond excellent service by providing childcare programs and housing programs not found in most places. The town has a housing priority in place that provides laundry facilities and a weekly lunch program for citizens in transition from home to home. It appears that keeping people from moving is a priority and by implementing these plans, the town is effectively helping and serving its people (oysterbaytown.com.

Recommendations for Change and Conclusion

One must keep in mind that while Oyster Bay is a town much in tune with its citizens and their needs, there is still much room for improvement at the government level. By making changes locally, opens the floor to new ideas and way of solving problems. One change I would allow myself is to put a term limit on the council people. By allowing new members of the community on the board as terms complete, offers representation of a larger segment of the town's population. I would like to see more women represented as well the younger segment of the population. By making this change, government practices will become more flexible to other changes. With the board as it is right now, things will continue as before, effective but not outside the box. I want to get younger people involved, people in their twenties and thirties. I would do this by recruiting them early at the high school and college level. This may mean that Oyster Bay's local government would need a face-lift in public relations. The web site is of good design but how else can local government be heard? Use local radio and television to put a youthful slant on community events and community service.

In conclusion, this paper examined the local government of Oyster Bay, New York. This paper discussed the existing administrative structure and leadership. The paragraphs above explored recent issues, the local government's effectiveness in serving its citizens and talked about possible changes.