Letter: Nassau residents can afford tax hike
Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano participates in a debate in Woodbury on Oct. 29, 2013. Credit: Howard Schnapp
The vote by Nassau lawmakers to override County Executive Edward Mangano's veto of the property tax hike was not in the interest of residents ["Nassau showdown," News, Nov. 14]. An average $23 annual increase -- or $1.92 per month -- would allow the county to maintain services that could now be eliminated.
This increase is something we can afford. No homeowner would be hurt by this increase. I did not hear the public condemning this increase. There was no uproar. All it would mean is one less dinner out per year, or one time you forgo lottery tickets or a pack of cigarettes.
If anyone feels his or her taxes are too high, I recommend filing a grievance to lower them. Now, the Nassau Interim Finance Authority plans to reject the budget as submitted, and return it to legislative leaders for $12 million in new cuts, which will affect our residents. This really was a bad legislative decision.
William Keats, North Merrick
