Letter: Overtaxing those who stay on LI
Officials and environmentalists are looking to protect places like this in Orient, shown on Monday, May 12, 2014, where there has been a call for the U.S Department of Agriculture to designate Long Island Sound and the Peconic Estuary as a critical conservation area. Credit: Randee Daddona
Nassau County is losing its tax base because of a shrinking population that is receiving higher education in other states and finding high-paying work elsewhere ["Study: 'Alarming' population trend," News, Nov. 20]. The cause is more than senior citizens leaving for warmer winter weather states -- it's clearly the high cost of living in Oyster Bay and Nassau County.
Newsday has done fine work in recent months showing the downturn in revenue to sustain the township and county budgets ["Oyster Bay: Town's credit rating drops," News, Aug. 22]. The tax burden is absurd, and the town just got another 8.8 percent.
The town says the increase amounts to an average of $90 per household. Many homes, especially on the North Shore, would pay more.
It seems to me the deception was in place right from the start when the Oyster Bay board couldn't figure out how to balance its budget. Board members knew that broadcasting their need for a tax increase would bring on the wrath of the people. Never did I see an article asking for resident input.
The escape from Long Island is happening. How long do our town and county leaders think they can bleed the people who stay?
Bob Selby, Oyster Bay
