Thursday, February 28, 2013

Councilman should "sell" tax increase to residents himself

As published in the 2/27/2013 issue of the Southern Dutchess News, to subscribe as I do. Call 297-3723 for 52 weekly issues delivered for $26.


Fishkill taxpayers who have been hit with a 53% town tax increase, 78% water rate increase and a 25% sewer rate increase this year. Are now facing a Republican controlled board, which now wants to pass a Hotel Tax. Even though these businesses also had their taxes go up 51%.

At the 2/20/2013 Special Town Board meeting, that was not televised and attended by myself. Councilman Buck told the supervisor, that he could “sell” the Hotel Tax just like he did with the 53% tax increase. Well I got news for Buck. The supervisor was unable to “sell” the 53% tax increase to his own board which was 5-0 GOP in 2012.

For those that don’t know. The supervisor of the 5-0 GOP board produced a budget that included a 53% tax increase. When put up for a vote. 2 members voted no and Buck was absent for the biggest fiscal vote in Fishkill history. That made the vote 2-2 and the budget failed to pass. What happened next, was that the budget passed by default. Reverting to the preliminary budget which had the same increase.

If Buck, wants to raise taxes in Fishkill. He should “sell” it himself. He should take it to the public and tell the citizens of the town why this is a good idea. A real leader does not let someone else do their homework.

Ozzy Albra

Fishkill

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