Five Towns Letters to the Editor

Posted

Wants tax exemption considered

To the Editor:
I am a military veteran who lives in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District who was denied a vote on the tax exemption for veterans. I would like to shed some light on this matter. 
I asked Board of Education President Scott McInness why taxpayers were not notified about the public hearing vote scheduled for Feb. 12. A new state law allows school districts to grant property-tax exemptions to eligible veterans. He replied that nobody showed up at the hearing. I said it was because we were not notified.

  I was made aware of the board’s decision to indefinitely postpone the vote due to scant public attendance. No future date was given to move forward on the vote. They indicated they were not inclined to set one and tabled the issue.
  Their argument is that giving veterans a tax break would reduce the amount of collected tax dollars and shift the tax burden to non-veteran households. This argument is so flawed when looking at the salaries paid from this money: upwards of $200,000 per year plus extravagant fringe benefits and pensions.  
Please write letters to the editor about the suspect board’s decision on tabling the tax exemption benefit.
I just can’t believe there are people who would deny a small showing of appreciation to people who risked their lives for this country. Meanwhile the district has no problem paying administrators six-figure plus salaries and benefits. See Report of Examination Audit page 15 / Fringe Benefits Costs for 2006-07 at
 http://www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/audits/schools/2009/hewlettwoodmere.pdf.
  I am a retired senior citizen and disabled American veteran who cannot afford the exorbitant burden of taxes. Please help me help our veterans!

Joseph Barbaro
Valley Stream

Appreciates Leeper’s advice

To the Editor:
I would like to compliment the Herald for the weekly column “Ask the Architect” by Monte Leeper.
After Hurricane Sandy, I especially found it helpful to see his comments and recommendations for homeowners who were in need of immediate emergency repairs. His answers were thoughtful and sensible and I enjoyed reading them. I also often took his advice into consideration when doing my own home repairs.
I see that over the past couple of weeks his column has been only offered online. I look forward to being able to read it again in print when he’s back from what must be a much-needed vacation. Please continue to include this column in the Herald newspapers and online so everyone can make use of Mr. Leeper’s expertise.

Jody Linsky
Hewlett Harbor