Editor, The Spotlight
I was disappointed to read that Glenville’s Town Board is contemplating exceeding Governor Cuomo’s Property Tax Cap (Sept. 29 Spotlight, “Glenville to hold public hearing on removing state’s 2 percent tax levy”). This confirms that Glenville needs someone on the Town Board to serve as a check and balance for this all Republican board and their inability to control rising costs and taxes.
Supervisor Koetzle and his Town Board promised to cut taxes when they ran for office, yet they have raised taxes every year they have been in office, including a 6.6% tax levy increase last year with Village of Scotia residents seeing a 7.9% increase in their Town tax levy. Now they want to override the tax cap. This is unacceptable. As the Democratic Candidate for Town Board, I am ready to ask the tough questions on all aspects of the budget, and I am prepared to offer real solutions.
First, the Town Board could easily save $105,000 each year if it would just stop blocking Central Dispatch.
Second, the Town needs to look at innovative health care reforms such as those instituted by Schenectady County and other area municipalities that have saved millions annually for local taxpayers.
Third, the Town needs to put aside partisan politics and have serious discussions with our neighbors to find ways to share services, not consolidations like the proposed merger of the Town and Scotia Police that would have actually raised Town residents’ tax bills by $58.
Glenville does not need to evade Governor Cuomo’s tax cap. Clearly, a check and balance is needed.
John N. Lockwood
Democratic candidate for Glenville Town Council, Scotia
