A Proposal for Tax Relief for Seniors
I’ve lived in Nesconset for over fifty years. Both the Town and I have grown and prospered. Being a retired couple, even though childless, we have to watch our spending.
Many times, I have seen my neighbors move once their children graduate from high school.
I propose that once a person reaches the age of 65 and has lived continuously in Smithtown township for over twenty years, they receive a 5% property tax reduction. At age seventy, a 10% reduction, and after that, every ten years an additional 10%. The above is an example and could be adjusted; the maximum reduction to be capped at 50%.
Paul H. Schmutz
Nesconset
Response to Steve Levy Article December 5, 2024
I was reading Steve Levy’s article dealing with concerns about conservative overreach. I think we should keep this discussion active concerning changes in education. For a long time, I’ve had the opinion that our education department has been used to indoctrinate and espouse only the views accepted by the intellectual elite. At the very least, we could provide a more balanced education.
There have been those that have developed better systems, ie: Admiral Rickover. I was trained in one of his systems that very quickly equipped his Nuclear Navy with new personnel.
The removal of the basic learning of history from our high school curriculum is alarming and seems to be the reason we have so many embracing the same ideologies that have led to destruction and oppression.
I have recently been watching on YouTube a series done for TV by the late Dr. Francis Shaeffer and I realized that he foresaw our day, even though he died about forty years ago. The series was called “How We Should Then Live.”
Fred Baumbach
Center Moriches
Hochul’s Pre-election Bribe
Governor Hochul’s (D) $3 billion dollar proposed Inflation refund to taxpayers funded out of a surplus of excess tax revenue is nothing more than a pre-election bribe to grease the wheels of her upcoming 2026 reelection campaign. Offering those with income under $150,000 a $300 check comes to $25 monthly over one year. Offering joint filers with income under $300,000 dollars a $500 check comes to $41.66 monthly over one year,
There are better alternatives such as reducing the state sales tax, using the funds as a down payment toward reducing Albany’s $423.4 billion long-term debt which represents $21,700 per citizen, or help fill the $33 billion shortfall in the MTA’s proposed $68 billion 2025 – 2029 Five Year Capital Plan.
Larry Penner
Great Neck
