Kings Pt. election gains write-in candidates for trustee race

Jessica Ablamsky

The Village of Kings Point trustee race heated up after two write-in candidates came forward to challenge incumbents Peter Aron and Ron Horowitz in an otherwise uncontested election.

The challengers – real estate attorney Mojgan Sasson and cardiologist David Schifter – said their candidacies were prompted to run by a 9.8 percent tax hike in village taxes.

Approved by trustees March 31, residents saw property taxes increase by $3.07 per $100 assessed value, to $34.32 per $100 assessed value.

Village of Kings Point Mayor Michael Kalnick previously said costs to the village rose 13 percent due to state mandates such as health insurance and pensions, but trustees were able to cut spending without reducing services.

“It’s interesting because the tax issue is effectively moot now,” he said, referring to 2 percent tax cap proposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Elected officials always have a responsibility to review the budget and “cut the fat” wherever it may be, said Sasson, a 47-year-old mother of two. She has lived in Kings Point since 2003.

“I want to see if I can help,” she said. “We have a very competent mayor and we have very competent trustees. I thought maybe a fresh set of eyes to look at the budget would help.”

Although she does not think that the real estate taxes are necessarily driving away potential residents, she said it is a consideration for buyers.

“The banks are looking at every penny that the borrower has to spend,” she said. “Believe it or not, even $100 up or down sometimes makes a difference for borrowers who are trying to get approved for loans to purchase a house.”

Win or lose, Schifter is hoping his write-in candidacy will spur more involvement in local government. The 51-year-old is a father of three who has lived in Kings Point for nine years.

“I’ve been a resident here for a while, and most recently its been a lot of talk in the community regarding the property taxes,” he said. “People are very upset.”

Although Kings Point is an affluent community, he said times are hard for everyone.

“I think that people want some fiscal responsibility they want some cost cutting,” he said. “In the medical field, a lot of the workers are made to do more with less. That’s what you have to do. You have to tighten your belt.”

Sasson and Schifter head the Kings Point Civic Association election committee, which is responsble for getting out the vote, said civic association president Marsha Rotman.

Seven-term incumbent Aron could not be reached for comment.

Horowitz was appointed March 2011 to fill the remainder of the term vacated by former trustee Richard Sokolov.

The 50-year-old has lived in Kings Point for 21 years. He is married and has three children.

“I care about the village,” he said. “I like to use my expertise to give back when I can.”

Horowitz is an associate trustee for the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and a member of the executive board of the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts.

He said trustees cut spending but further reductions would have to come from services.

“I think our priorities are to maintain the level of services that we provide to the village residents at the most reasonable cost, and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our residents,” he said.

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