I will again be supporting the Board of Education’s Proposed Budget on June 18th. If every person who says they will be doing the same physically does so, the budget CAN be passed by its needed 60%+. I believe the school budget information available, although complex as it may be, has been exhaustingly transparent and available to all. It deserves every voters time and effort. While the fairness and complex formula of NY’s 2% tax cap legislation can be debated, it is the law that all must follow.
For those that took the effort to educate themselves on the budget, and felt it necessary to vote “no” in the last budget vote, I respect your position without animosity. MANY good people with concern for our children’s education and our property values do find our local tax burden overwhelming, especially those on fixed incomes. Many are the same persons have helped retain our Manhasset community quality for decades and in a very real way are now forced to consider whether they can remain in Manhasset in light of its high taxes. The need for controlling ever-escalating taxes indeed has equal merit. The many involved dedicated school-parents have spent hundreds of hours working with the Board of Ed and School Administration on school budget development. Combined, they can achieve outstanding results. Only collectively as voters do we have the ultimate power.
What I can not comprehend is that the Manhasset community as a whole continually has such a low voter participation; not only in school board votes, but in all local elections. It has an adverse impact on Manhasset’s influence. WE CAN DO much better. Too many fail to engage in meaningful discussion of issues and participate in budget development forum opportunities. Too many feel that having one member of their family go to vote is ‘satisfactory’ or ‘enough’. Too many feel that it doesn’t matter. Too many feel that it’s someone else’s responsibility. Too many are too busy to vote. Too many don’t take the personal responsibility to VOTE. However, the secret is that It does matter and YOUR vote DOES counts.
Polls at the MHS cafeteria will be open from 6:30 to 10pm. Make it YOUR business to vote. And to the elected members of our Board of Education who voluntarily and tirelessly serve with dedication to our children’s future, I thank you.
Rich Bentley, President
Council of Greater Manhasset Civic Associations
