Letter To The Editor: Grateful Putnam Valley Voted Down Occupancy Law

To the editor:

Recently in a four to one vote by Town Board members, the proposed Certificate of Occupancy and Rental Registration Laws were struck down. Residents of Putnam Valley voiced their opinions with calls, e-mails, and letters to Town Board members, they convinced the majority of the board to vote with common sense and for the good of our town’s future and stability. 

It was a victory for all to squash these onerous laws that would have affected our property rights and thus stopped the overreach of our local government. A big thank you to all of the residents that helped in spreading the word and standing up for what’s right for the property owners and the good of the town. The overwhelming responses and actions taken on by the residents of Putnam Valley proved that our voices do count and we can make a difference. 

We must continue our efforts to stand up and be heard on issues that adversely affect all of us. The next issue to tackle is our ever-rising school taxes. The Putnam Valley Central School District has published their preliminary 2016-2017 budget, they are proposing a budget lower than last year. However, our portion of local school taxes is being increased. Last year we were able to get $181,000 decrease in our local school taxes, this year they want to take that back. 

Join me in my crusade to change the tides of year after year increased taxes rather than curb expenditures. At $29,495 per student we should have a higher than 40% college ready graduates. We will need the same efforts from the residences that voiced their opinions and spread the word about the onerous laws struck down last night put into the school increasing our taxes. To the residence of Putnam Valley thank you for getting involved and uniting as a community to stand up and be heard. 

-Dan Vera Putnam Valley's Tax Payer Advocate

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