Seeking higher taxes? In Bellport, yes
A welcome sign at South Country Road in Bellport Credit: James Carbone
The things we want cost money. That's a reality some taxpayers don't seem to grasp, demanding more services and lower taxes from their various government entities at a time when providing those amenities is getting more expensive. It seems many of the people of Bellport do get this, and 30 of them descended on a meeting of the village's trustees Monday evening to demand their taxes be increased so the quality of their community ferry, golf course and beach amenities can be maintained.
About 20 residents spoke at the meeting and every one of them supported a tax hike. Many who spoke even argued it should be larger than the proposed 8.4 percent.
We often get angry about our ever-increasing taxes, and that's often justified. Many government entities are inefficient and secretive, wasting money pointlessly and supplying jobs for pals and pols in need whether there's work being done or not. That's disgusting, and residents saddled with such governance should work loudly and tirelessly to change and defund it.
But even honest, efficient governments need money to run. In villages like Bellport, where so much of the budget goes to spiraling costs like employee benefits, they need more of it each year.
Understanding what the majority wants from the village and what it costs, and being willing to pay it, is responsible, realistic citizenship on the part of these Bellport residents. Their community will be better for it.
