Gary Ackerman has tried to strong arm a Housing Help / Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development project on East Northport, and these are the facts behind this case.

"It was announced that Housing Help would honor Mr. Ackerman at it's upcoming fundraiser." -The Observer, March 7, 1996

"Ackerman, (D - Queens), who helped broker the compromise, continues to describe the deal as a "huge victory" for the town." -Newsday, March 7, 1996

"He (Gary Ackerman) continued this week to defend the Housing Help plan as good for the community." -The Record, February 29, 1996

"U. S. Rep. Gary Ackerman ... takes credit for brokering a deal." -The Record, February 29, 1996

Gary Ackerman has voted to fund the Department of Housing and Urban Development 11 times since he became a Member of Congress. Ackerman voted against the 1996 VA - HUD Appropriations bill (HHR 2099) because it cut 10.5 billion from the HUD budget. 12 million dollars of the 20 million dollar Matinecock Court project comes through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"As the facts behind Matinecock Court become more clear, it is evident that Gary Ackerman has favored the interests of Housing Help and the Department of Housing and Urban Development over East Northport," concludes Lally. "Any rhetoric to the contrary is simply a smokescreen by Ackerman that cannot hide the fact, that, after eighteen years of siding with liberal social welfare special interests over his constituents, it's time to retire Gary Ackerman."