All talk and little action

To the editor:

In regard to flooding in the town of Delaware and Kohlertown-Jeffersonville area: as of this writing there have been two political flood meetings in the past 10 days, and we’ve been under water three times from the little creek that runs behind Sal’s Restaurant and the auto wash. The Jeffersonville and Kenoza Lake fire departments have responded several times in a professional and helpful way.

However, not one politician has showed up during flood conditions (though one Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) official did take photos the following day). Note: Our neighbor was fishing from our new pond (Creekside Drive and Route 52) without permission, and perhaps I should turn him in—especially since a beautiful rainbow trout swam across the back of Kellers Glass, leaving the DEC-protected creek and headed to our new pond.

We need help, and the streams need help, and that rainbow trout doesn’t want to swim across Route 52 to a new home at the Costellos’ pond. No fishing allowed! We are thinking of inviting any politician to stay overnight during the next flood and help us with our three pumps, mud, mud, mud, and see firsthand what we all go through.

Just talk by many and little action.

Jack and Doris Costello

Kohlertown, NY

The road to Damascus

To the editor:

“‘Get up and go to Damascus. There you will be told everything you are destined to do.’ My companions led me into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.” (Acts 22)

Two thousand years ago, a charismatic scholar named Saul had such a zeal for Jewish law that it led him to become an anti-Christian persecutor. But on his journey to Damascus (Syria), he had a transformative vision, became enlightened, and re-emerged as “Paul,” the world’s most effective missionary. Paul was repeatedly embroiled in controversies with political and religious authorities as he taught and organized Christian communities.

Today’s world has been shaped by such people who have risen up to challenge the current world-view. And thus was born in the small town of Damascus, PA, Damascus Citizens for Sustainability (DCS), at a crucial time when our beloved river valley is under siege by the gas companies.

While many seize any opportunity for economic gain, and others wring their hands in dismay, praying for a miracle, the people of DCS have a vision, seeing our world as it could become: a depleted, industrial wasteland, controlled by robber-barons of a corporate gas industry.

Born from that vision is a courageous, controversial mission to slay the giant. No wishy-washy statements; no “responsible” drilling, no “it’s inevitable.” No compromise. And they are reaching out for communities to become empowered to effect change. The DCS members are not on the attack. Rather, they are acting in self-defense, in defense of us all, including those beings who cannot speak for themselves.

We need everyone to join us on the road to Damascus, to become enlightened to the true costs of gas drilling. And then we’ll see that the mission is clear: to just say “no”—no drilling in our watersheds.

Smoke and mirrors

To the editor:

Many taxpayers in the Town of Highland were relieved to receive notification from the town that their assessments were reduced by 25 percent. Anticipated tax relief was welcomed. I regret that it takes a spoilsport like me to correct the misconception. Your taxes are not going down 25 percent. In fact, your taxes are not going down at all.

In a bold smoke-and-mirrors move, the Town of Highland has opted to reduce everyone’s assessment by 25 percent, which in reality means that everyone’s share of the tax levy remains the same. Truly, I wish I was mistaken about this, but let me assure you, as sure as night follows day and God made little green apples, your school taxes in September will not go down and your county and town taxes in January won’t either.

What the town has done is the equivalent of changing your height from inches to centimeters and saying, “Now, look how tall you are!” The dirty little secret that the town does not tell you is that the over-inflated market it assigned to your property has not changed. The town has given the appearance that they have done something to reduce taxes, but the idea of simply reducing everyone’s assessment by 25 percent only gives the illusion that your taxes will be declining by a like amount and nothing could be further from the truth.

I predict that everyone’s school tax bill in the Town of Highland will go up nine percent this year. If you do not believe me, just wait until you get your tax bill this month.

A first step toward fairer taxes

To the editor:

Recently, there has been talk about smoke and mirrors in regard to our current level of assessment (LOA) for real property taxes. Unfortunately, such talk omits some key information.

When I took the oath of office it was apparent that the 100 percent assessment program was not only producing over-inflated LOA but actually violating the New York State constitution. The town board and I reviewed all possible solutions and determined that only swift action to reduce the LOA would stop the illegally high assessed values of our properties and begin the corrective process needed to end the horrible tax assessment issue facing our town. Additionally, the board had received multiple letters from a local attorney, Andy Boyar, who further reiterated the fact that the 100 percent LOA was unconstitutional. Mr. Boyar recommended a 25 percent reduction in the LOA to correct this “assessing disaster” or face possible lawsuits. Knowing the LOA needed to be changed, and potential lawsuits looming, the town board lowered the LOA by 25 percent.

The town board and I have worked diligently to make significant changes to help the Town of Highland be successful in this war against unfair taxation. Hours of discussion and personnel changes have been made to ensure we are on the correct road to assessment recovery. I’m sure some people will still try to convince you that the actions taken by the present board were done to trick the citizens; however, changing the level of assessment was a necessary step to correct a serious problem and stop all threatened lawsuits. I would ask those who challenge the LOA to demonstrate to the town what they have done to try to help the tax burden facing all of us.