Long Island
The New York Times
229 West 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036-3959

To the Long Island Editor:

The article "Nassau Increases Nonresident Hires" (April 25) suggests that there is something wrong with the idea of Nassau County hiring nonresidents when they are exceptionally qualified and when no local candidate with similar experience is available. I would argue that this is preferable to the practice of previous county administrations of hiring residents when they are unqualified but carry the right party affiliation.

One of the exceptional individuals mentioned is my chief deputy comptroller, Jane Levine. Ms. Levine previously had served as deputy New York City comptroller for pensions under Alan Hevesi, as his general counsel, and as his representative to the city's procurement policy, pension and deferred compensation boards. I hired her after an extensive search, because no one in Nassau, or anywhere else in the state, came forward with her experience and expertise. I am proud to have her serve as my chief deputy comptroller, a position in which she most ably advances the interests of Nassau's taxpayers.

In the article, former Comptroller Parola notes that hiring of nonresidents was practically unheard of while he was in office (1994-2001). I'll say. It's interesting to contrast our respective choices for chief deputy comptroller. His chief deputy was not only a Nassau resident but also a high official in the Nassau County Republican Party and treasurer of Mr. Parola's re-election campaign. He played a key role in hiring BPA, the insurance company that bilked county taxpayers out of more than $60 million. When called to testify over his role in that scandal, he stated that he shouldn't be held accountable for his actions since he had "no knowledge or expertise" in that area.

I believe in looking first to the talent pool in Nassau County when filling positions. But I place a higher value on merit in hiring than on providing patronage jobs for friends of the administration or party hacks.

Howard S. Weitzman
Nassau County Comptroller