LETTERS: Suozzi proposal highlights taxes and failures
Suozzi's proposal
to take over schools
Tom Suozzi's creative and courageous proposal to address the real estate tax problem in Nassau County finally identifies the elephant in the room: Obscene school taxes, which make up 65 percent of a property tax bill ["At the root of raging property taxes," Opinion, Nov. 8]. The bulk of our school taxes pay for the generous salaries and benefits enjoyed by teachers, administrators and staff.
Rather than criticize a proposed solution, everyone should first acknowledge the source of our outlandish school taxes and then work to remedy the situation.
Peter K. Keogh
Old Brookville
Suozzi provides a compelling argument for exactly why the county executive should not be given control of Nassau schools.
In his entire article, the words "student" and "education" do not appear even once! The word "educating" appears only once. Yet, what is the most important issue confronting the boards of every school district? Education for our students.
If Suozzi wants to do something about the tax burden, how about addressing the glut of empty and undeveloped properties? Lighthouse project? Get it through. Old Grumman site? Turn it into a movie studio. Continually upgrading Nassau County's stature as a desirable living and working environment will bring in the tax dollars.
Using the school system to deflect a poor showing at the voting booth is unnecessary.
Jonathan Schwartz
Suozzi needs to look at the way business is conducted in Nassau. The office of county executive has a reputation for arrogance, political patronage and failure to work within the Democratic and Republican parties to get the job done.
Both Democratic and Republican politicians should take heed - we the taxpayers have had enough.
They need to conduct themselves as stewards of the taxpayers' money and reduce costs to provide essential services. We demand that political patronage be ended and that they work together. If not, there will be more surprises in the next election.
Frank L. Kurre
Manhasset Hills
Who is more tone deaf? Tom Suozzi or the Nassau legislature's likely incoming presiding officer, Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa)?
After eight years as county executive, Suozzi has the audacity to attribute political blame for his unimpressive election results to his lack of control over Nassau school districts, while failing to hold himself accountable.
Voters who decided after 10 years to return the Republican Party to the majority in the legislature were rewarded with irresponsible pay raises for Schmitt's staff ["Postelection raises in Nassau Legislature fuel GOP discord," News, Nov. 8].
Michael P. Mulhall
