The recent Village of Sea Cliff change to once-yearly tax collection seemed, on the face of it, to be benevolent enough. It was, after all, presented as one more concerned action from a concerned government trying to save us money. Closer inspection has revealed to many, however, that it was nothing more than a tax in sheep's clothing.

The mayor claims that the village is "saving" some $43,000 per year by the change, if those numbers can be believed. This "savings" comes mainly from the interest earned on the money by the village. Early collection means longer time on deposit and, thus, more interest.

Truth is, the change is a thinly disguised tax increase of a little more than 1 percent beyond the level that taxes have already been increased this year. The interest that the village earns on deposit is interest that the taxpayers have lost by virtue of having to pay early.

I find the approach, in total, to be less than forthright, intimidating to vulnerable groups like seniors, a burden to those less well off and just plain unnecessary. I'd ask the mayor, once again, to deal with us with greater integrity.

And when the board reverses its action, as eventually it must, it will not be a noble gesture, as I am sure that they will try to paint it. It will simply be the reversal of a poorly conceived policy that shouldn't have been attempted in the first place.

Dom Candido

New Village Party Chair