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It is Tamagna Who Has a Problem with Over-Taxation
To the Editor:
Legislator Vincent Tamagna and his running mates and supporters seem confused about taxes and fiscal management.
In this paper three weeks ago, Tamagna running mate Barbara Scuccimara went on record saying the Town Council has a problem with "over-taxation." In fact, under current Town Supervisor Bill Mazzuca, Town taxes have been kept to a manageable annual average 3.1% increase for the last 15 years.
Two weeks ago in the PCNR, Tamagna's other running mate, Cary Downey, said we need to "stop taxes from getting out of control." Mr. Downey, a modest 3.1% increase is not out of control.
And last week in the PCNR, Tamagna political friend Greg Ball said Tamagna is "the lead voice for sound fiscal management." Regrettably, Mr. Ball's assessment is not based in facts.
Here are the facts about Tamagna's tax record and fiscal mismanagement: from 1998 to 2004, Tamagna voted in favor of 0% tax increases for the County. 0% worked for a few years - as long as Tamagna could balance the budget by voting to drain money from the County Surplus. While other legislators were warning that draining the Surplus was bad fiscal policy, Tamagna defended his actions, saying the budget was "rock solid, fiscally sound." After draining OVER $70 MILLION, the Surplus is now so low that the County has lost it's A+ bond rating, and the County must raise taxes by double-digits.
Two years ago, as a result of Tamagna's irresponsible actions, County property taxes went up to 7.75%. Last year, they were up to 18.65%. This year they are expected to be between 22 and 25%. Next year looks to be worse.
The simple fact is, 25% is a lot higher than 3.1%. It is Vincent Tamagna who has a problem with "over-taxation", Vincent Tamagna who has allowed taxes to "get out of control," but it is Bill Mazzucca who is "the lead voice for sound fiscal management."
John Plummer
Cold Spring
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