Rotterdam Democrats have no interest in lowering taxes
I was surprised to see a volunteer come to my door collecting signatures for the creation of an independent ballot line called “Lower Taxes Now.” After questioning the volunteer, I learned that this new party had been created by the local Democratic Party with help from downstate volunteers. Who wouldn’t want to sign a petition to lower taxes now? However, after researching the endorsed candidates, I found that their political records did not support the idea of lowering taxes at all; in fact it was just the opposite.
One of the involved candidates has proposed tax exemptions for select groups of people and homes. Tax exemptions create a larger bureaucracy requiring more regulation and enforcement while raising the taxes of those not included. Another candidate recently voted in support of spot zoning. Spot zoning favors developers and has the potential to ruin the integrity and character of neighborhoods while potentially lowering home values. This may lead to increased taxes throughout the town. The ultimate hypocrisy comes from one candidate who spent most of last year campaigning for the creation of an entirely new taxing district that was strongly voted down by the taxpayers last December.
When I decided to run for office, the most important and challenging aspect to me was surrounding myself with people of integrity and character. It was not easy to find those rare politicians who say what they mean and do what they say. That was why I chose to run alongside [Republician-endorsed candidate] Brian McGarry on the Republican ticket, as he has shown himself to be a man of conviction and principle.
A few years back Brian created an independent ballot line called the “No New Tax Party.” This line was created for a simple purpose, to oppose the creation of any new taxing entity and hold the line of oppressive taxation. Brian has been a voice for the people, saying “no” to the creation of a new taxing district and saying “no” to the proposed development of a new multimillion-dollar public safety building.
The people agreed with Brian last December and they will remember again this November who truly stood by their side. No hypocrisy there.
Christopher Tomaselli
Rotterdam
|
Logged
