April 2, 1999
The Three Village Times, posted on April 2,
1999 a reflection of the potential dangers of reassessment. The
editorial published can
also be found
via Three Village Times. The opinion is shown below.
The only motivations to change the current property
tax assessment system are personal or political ambitions. The current
system is not in any way discriminatory to any race or culture. Those
who believe it is are fooling themselves.
Living in Elmont, for over 20 years, I have seen
major changes in my community including the change from a mostly
majority population to a minority one. However one thing that hasn't
changed are the property taxes, they stay the same. People who moved
know where they are going to, and they must be aware of the taxes of
what they are going to pay. Reassessment is not going to solve any so
called problem. If anything it will do, is create more problems by
doubling or maybe even more the taxes we have already.
But where is the huge problem which the federal
government has to intervene? Where is the discrimination? One hundred
percent reassessment is almost an idea in which someone who doesn't
understand the assessment process could come up with. Common sense
shows that the current system is working perfectly fine. Why change
it? Well, if you really are upset about your property assessment, you
are entitled to go to court to challenge it. Why for a couple of
people think it is better that everyone must reassess, that the whole
would have to suffer?
The assessment isn't "slavery." No one is telling
you or forcing you to live in Nassau County. It is your choice and
your will. With that, it requires responsibility. This isn't an issue
that "whites" are paying less than "blacks." Assessment is an issue
that whites and blacks are paying almost the same. So what does the
Civil Liberty Union want in the Nassau County Assessment system?
Affirmative action, or perhaps segregation? The motivations aren't
clear, but they do seem political.
We must look out for the best of the community. I as
a community leader for many years, see this as a crisis. One hundred
percent reassessment will be the worse thing that can happen to our
property taxes. Once again, if anyone believes that they are
unjustified with their assessment, there is always the courts to
handle that.
Leave the property assessment alone. It hasn't been
changed for a long time for a reason, and it shouldn't be changed. One
hundred percent reassessment is a horrible idea, and I strongly oppose
it.
Ruth Jakab
