To the editor:
Wake up fellow seniors and smell the hypocrisy!
The new senior tax abatement “proposal” that Timothy Herbst sent to the Town Council reeks of desperation. After telling residents for months that there isn’t any money in the budget for our schools or other programs, Herbst suddenly comes up with a plan that would cost the town between $340,375 and $575,000.
If this isn’t a transparent attempt to lure senior voters with a wink and a promise, why put forth this slapdash plan now? Why not wait until the details are fully thought through and (as always seems to be the case with Timothy) the town attorneys consulted as to the legality of the plan? At the moment, all we have is an ill-conceived idea that may or may not be legal, and that may or may not be enacted.
I’m sure most residents—I included—would gladly support easing the financial burden on seniors who are truly having trouble making ends meet. In fact, First Selectman candidate and Town Councilwoman Mary Beth Thornton has co-sponsored some of the strong senior tax relief programs that already benefit our neighbors today. Unfortunately, her most recent proposals to aid seniors were tabled by the town Republicans who did not consider senior tax relief a priority before election season.
One big problem with the current Herbst proposal is that it could end up giving tax breaks to wealthier citizens, while offering no tax relief to those in need. As currently described, the plan would offer a deduction of $5,000 from automobile tax assessments to all seniors, regardless of financial status. So a senior who is well-off financially, and who owns an expensive car, would get a whopping savings of $125 in his or her taxes at the current mill rate. Would I like that? Sure, but not at the expense of our schools, parks and roads. And meanwhile, another senior who cannot even afford a car, and is clearly struggling, would get nothing.
Furthermore, where will the money come from to offset the cost of this program? Should younger and middle-aged residents—including many who are also struggling to get by in the sagging economy—be asked to pay for a program that benefits even financially secure seniors?
Clearly, in his haste to release this plan during election season, Timothy has not thought this through. Either that or he sent this “proposal” to the Town Council in its slipshod state, hoping that our senior would fail to see through his attempt to sway them with empty promises. What clearly bothers me is that Mr. Herbst thinks that seniors can be bought. Not so! Our seniors are either of “the greatest generation” or are their children and we know our responsibilities as citizens.
Mr. Herbst and his Republican-controlled Town Council had two years to enact senior tax abatement. If they really had the interests of our seniors at heart, why did they wait until now, and then put forth a flawed proposal?
Carole A. Lalor
Trumbull
Did you ever consider making a call to the town Tax Assessor, the man Herbst appointed, and asking him if this proposal was even legal? I'm certain he would have said no and that would have ended it. But no, you guys want to misrepresent an illegal tax credit to our seniors. That's just beneath contempt.
She has however been a champion of senior tax relief. She and John Rotundo sponsored what was I believe the most recent improvement in our program.. You can look that up to see I am right. By the way, to be fair, those improvements were also passed by a bi-partisan majority. Finally, she did offer another improvement 2 years ago but the Republicans would not even consider it...too bad.
The tax relief program falls under the malun prohibitum concept because it does not cornorm to the law. So no arrests will be forthcoming but this program will not be forthcoming either. Bet you didn't expect that response :)
I'm also concerned that if the Seniors get a tax abatement, that money is going ot have to be made up somehow. What is the plan for making that money up? Would the taxes on the rest of the town residents who are not seniors be raised?
I think you are geting a bit testy but, it is OK. My post was tongue in cheek as well but I think you missed my point. State rules in this instance exist for a very good reason, to be sure tax relief goes to the needy not the wealthy. Mr. Herbst proposal was timed for political effect, not to provide real tax relief. No other rational conclusion is possible. The only other possible excuses are that Mr. Herbst and his advisors are incompetent or ignorant. I choose to believe neither of these.
Second, Ms. Thornton by herself could not raise your taxes. In fact, the increases she voted for were passed by bi-partisan majorities. The results were improved schools, paved roads, senior tax relief, the purchase of available land to preserve the character of Trumbull and to prevent over development and on and on. The success of these initiatives is seen in the recognition by several publications that Trumbull is a great place to live. Bonding, for all intents and purposes is the Town credit card, we buy things today and pay them off over time. The kind of project appropriate for bonding depends on the length of the bond and the type of purchase. Bonding for the restructure of Stonehouse road is appropriate but bonding for road maintenance is not as an example.Bonding for computers usually is not but if the bond is equal to or less than the useful expected life of the bond it is.
Your statemnt is incorrect whether you give tow or twenty hoots. Ms. Thornton along with a bi-partisan majority voted for the spending programs you talk about. Alone, a single legislator can do nothing. However, this bi-partisan majority did result in Frenchtown school, the pre school, senior tax relief, the purchase of land, expanded parks, Trumbull Day and so many other things that we enjoy today.
Thornton has shown the leadership to actually get tax relief programs passed, whereas Herbst has only made a weak attempt to propose an illegal tax relief program weeks before the election hoping our seniors would be fooled. So, who is the one who understands what taxes do "to regular people?"