Elections give us more of the same

To the Editor:

Now that local elections are over, I think it is appropriate to draw some conclusions regarding the results. On Nov. 8, a fractional number of the eligible electorate overwhelmingly expressed their view that the incumbents, who have gotten us to our current state of affairs, deserve another opportunity to give us more of the same. It is hard to believe that the same officials who brought us the current tax rates and structure will now act to reduce taxes and change the criteria for assessing and levying those taxes.

It is also difficult to understand why the electorate believes an entrenched one-party domination of local government in Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead will foster accountability, proactive change and the encouragement of new ideas and approaches. In fact, it almost ensures the perpetuation of the status quo. Of course, those in the high-risk (AE) Federal Emergency Management Agency flood zone will not have the benefit of the status quo. In 12 months, mandatory flood insurance rates are scheduled to return to pre-2011 rates or higher, possibly $2,000 or more per year. FEMA flood map victims have no reason to expect help from incumbents, who have made no proactive efforts to modify the tax assessment process to reflect high-risk flood status in individual tax bills.

Unfortunately, FEMA flood map victims are facing extraordinary mandatory increases in flood insurance by the end of 2012. It is puzzling why local newspapers chose to ignore the flood insurance issue and problem when endorsing candidates and forecasting the challenges ahead. Some of the incumbent candidates were those who had a chance in 2009 to voice to FEMA strong objections to the new maps and did not. The incumbents also had the opportunity to seek tax relief and revision of the criteria for tax assessments to include flood zone status. They did not. Yet the local newspapers did not find this an issue worthy of reference during the campaign even, though thousands of families are on the verge of a financial catastrophe.

I would hope that the newspapers avoid the omission in the 2012 elections. If they need assistance, they can always go online to www.radiofreegibson.com or contact the victims of the AE flood zone designation themselves.
 
Joseph B. Margolin
Valley Stream