Nassau itself does deliver for tax bill

For the last several weeks, I have been reading about out-of-control taxes in Nassau County. I just got my property tax bill in the mail. My total bill is $13,193, of which the portion that goes to Nassau County is $1,979. So if Nassau County fired all its employees and closed, I would be paying $11,214 in taxes -- still a lot.

For your county tax you get police protection, parks, road maintenance, social services, sewers, college and more. The Town of Hempstead portion of my tax bill is $1,590. It provides garbage collection, street lights, road maintenance, parks and more. Both these service providers are essential to positive quality of life on Long Island and do not seem outrageously high.

The remaining $9,264 goes to the school district. Education is very important but since I am an "empty nester," with no children in the school system anymore, I am not getting a lot of bang for my buck here. People will argue that good schools contribute to my property values, but let's look at it this way: If I sent two children to some private schools, it would cost me about $12,000 a year. When the kids finish school, you are finished with your school bill.

Margie Nash

Wantagh