Here I am! For better or for worse I will be your editor for the foreseeable future. It will please you to know that I am not a complete stranger to the streets of your community; I attended Holy Family School and Holy Trinity High School, and I used to play intramural basketball at Lee Avenue School and baseball at Dutch Lane School. I know it's not as if I were the mayor, but it's better than nothing.
I will do my best to present Hicksville to you in an honest and unprejudiced way. I am looking forward to getting to know all of you as we jump into a new year. I would like to extend my warmest holiday wishes to you and your families.
Hicksville Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edward Finn, recently forwarded a letter to all Hicksville homeowners stating that they may qualify for a partial exemption from school district taxes pursuant to Section 425 of the New York State Real Property Tax Law.
This section of the law refers to Governor Pataki's school property relief program (STAR). Eligible senior citizens may receive reduced school taxes under the "enhanced" STAR exemption for the first time for school year 1998-1999. To be eligible, property owners must be 65 years of age or older, with incomes that do not exceed $60,000 a year. For property owned by a husband and wife, only one of them has to be at least 65 years of age. Their combined annual income, however, must not exceed $60,000.
Seniors already receiving the "Senior Citizen Exemption" authorized by Section 467 of the Real Property Tax Law and have renewed and qualified do not need to apply for the STAR exemption. Those seniors receiving the "Senior Citizen Exemption" automatically qualify for the "enhanced" STAR exemption.
Seniors eligible for the "enhanced" STAR program who are not already receiving a "Senior Citizen Exemption" must submit their applications no later than Dec. 31, in order to qualify for this STAR exemption for the 1998-1999 school year. Applications may be obtained from the Nassau County Department of Assessment located at 240 Old Country Road, Mineola. For your convenience, my Hicksville office located in the Goldman Brothers building at 183 Broadway, Suite 310, also has a limited supply of applications.
All homeowners not meeting this criteria should be assured that the "basic" STAR program will be extended to all primary-residence homeowners, regardless of age or income, starting in school year 1999-2000, and will be phased in over the course of the next three years. Applications for the "basic" STAR program are not required at this time.
For more information, please contact the Department of Assessment at 571-1500.
Marc Herbst
Member of Assembly
In reference to Mr. Walsh's letter pertaining to school board ethics I resent his opinion. He suggested that sitting board members should not have a client relationship with school board attorney, Greg Guersio. Mr. Guersio is a very proper and ethical human being.
I have worked with the seven school board members and they are all of excellent character. I have never been approached by any fellow board member to change or alter my vote. Mr. Guersio and Mr. Steffenta have been with the district for many years and bring honesty and dignity to the school board.
I can understand Mr. Walsh having problems thinking as he does. His background of business experience is with the New York City Police Department. There is no doubt in my mind his experience introduced him to many corrupt situations, therefore he is not capable of thinking that decent and honest people work as school board trustees.
I don't think Mr. Walsh has the right to tell me where I can seek legal advice.
Mary E. Carton.
Thought For The Week: The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.
Herbert Spencer
