A Veterans view of the "Property Tax Exemption for Veterans"

Note: The following letter was written by Tom Garvey, a Disabled Vietnam Veteran 1967-68 to Ms. Gina Piskin, President of the Merrick Board of Education, Merrick Union Free District 21, Babylon Road, Merrick, NY, 11566

Dear President Piskin,

I would like to thank you and the Merrick Board of Education and Administrative Staff for giving me the opportunity to speak at your Board Meeting on March 11, 2014, in favor of the "Property Tax Exemption for Veterans - School District Taxes".  It is difficult for me to describe my disappointment at the Board's refusal to vote on this very important issue and then decide to refer the decision to a referendum vote as part of the School Budget process.  Since the March 11th meeting, I've discovered that a referendum on this issue is illegal under New York State Law and that Schools Boards must vote yea or nay on the Veteran Exemption.  This decision on the Veterans Exemption cannot be transferred to the public through a Referendum.

I'm not an attorney so I'm a bit surprised that the Board's legal staff did not realize that a Referendum on the Agenda Item (the Veteran's exemption) was not a viable option.  Furthermore, it appeared that the Merrick Central Office Administrative Staff were not prepared at the meeting to state exactly how much this exemption would cost the average Merrick household taxpayer.  It is my understanding that on the same night of the Merrick School Board meeting, the North Merrick School Board met and "approved" the Veteran exemption.  From what I have heard, the North Merrick School District estimated that the cost of the Veterans Exemption for North Merrick taxpayers would be approximately $45.00 per household annually.  I would certainly hope that in the future a dollar amount for the cost of the exemption in the Merrick School District would be established.  Finally, I understand that the towns of Bellmore, Freeport, Valley Stream, Melverne, East Rockaway, and Oceanside have voted yes in favor of this bill to support our veterans.

Let us keep in mind that the standard of living and the life style that all Merrick residents enjoy is not cheap.  Veterans in World War II, the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan have made personal and professional sacrifices so that every resident in Merrick can live in Freedom and Peace.  Is it too much to ask that those that did not serve or sacrifice pay a few more dollars a year so that those that did sacrifice can have a few extra dollars in their pockets?  I do not think so.

Seeing that the referendum approach is not feasible - what will the Merrick Board of Education do now?  I await your response and look forward to discussing the "Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans - School District Taxes" with you in the future.

I remain,

Respectfully,

Tom Garvey
Disabled Vietnam Veteran 1967-68