Letter: More Marsh, Sheffield Endorsements
Friday, 11 May 2012 00:00
For many years, Long Island school taxes increased at two and three time the rate of inflation. They are now the highest in the entire country. With great fanfare, a tax cap was recently signed into law, but unfortunately, when the dust has settled, we may find that it did more harm than any good it achieved.
Contracts with New York teachers’ unions have long provided step increases, a feature that guarantees annual salary increases for many of those employed. Thanks to the Taylor Law’s Triborough Amendment, these annual increases continue indefinitely, even when a contract has expired.
This acts like an engine continually forcing school spending ever upward. And the increases demanded, are much larger than can be accommodated under the cap. How will school districts deal with this? Some are beginning to trim programs and lay off teachers. A few others are asking voter approval for piercing the cap. Here in Massapequa, rather clever accounting is being employed.
For several years, the district budgeted and taxed us for more money than the schools actually spent. The surplus, almost $20 million was placed in reserves. This year, in order to operate within the cap, several million of the reserve funds were utilized and the plan calls for tapping reserves again next year.
Obviously, this can’t go on forever. When reserves have been exhausted, only three different actions seem possible:
• Reduce the teaching and administrative staffs and/or eliminate various programs;
• Get approval from the electorate to pierce the cap. Thus, sizable increases in spending and taxes would continue, or;
• The school board and the teachers’ union work out a new agreement providing a much-needed reduction in the upward salary spiral.
Parents and taxpayers would of course much prefer the previous option 3, but very likely, it will be difficult to achieve. Union leaders are usually in the business of asking for more. They seldom agree to less.
School employees have unions to represent them when labor contracts are negotiated. School boards are supposed to look after the interests of parents and taxpayers.
Dianne Sheffield and Joseph Marsh have lengthy periods of hands-on involvement. Moreover, they are educated, articulate, have children in the schools and have impressive backgrounds. They will have my votes.
Experience now seems very desirable. In Massapequa, the contract with hundreds of teachers is the single most important element in the district’s finances. Whoever is elected to the board on May 15, will immediately become involved in crucial negotiations.
On June 30, the present contract with the teachers union expires.
James E. Stubenrauch
News
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Navy SEAL killed in crash was top student athlete
Jonathan Kaloust, a 23-year-old Navy SEAL who hailed from Massapequa, lost his life last Wednesday in a freak Humvee crash during a training exercise in Fort Knox, Ky.
A 2007 graduate of Massapequa High School and standout wrestler, Kaloust was recruited to Binghamton University, where he continued to wrestle while pursuing a political science degree.
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Increased service will save local
commuters up to 40 minutes a day
A $40-million construction project, designed to modernize the Massapequa Station at Sunrise Highway (Route 27), just east of Broadway and Route 107, was announced by the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Long Island Railroad. The station renovations are part of a multi-phase initiative to improve infrastructure and train service at the station that serves approximately 6,000 customers every weekday.
The first phase is scheduled to begin on May 29, and the improvements are scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2015. Over the next two years, the rehabilitation project will include the sorely needed replacement of the station platform and canopy, heated platform waiting room, escalator, elevator and staircases, pedestrian walkway over Broadway, public address system, plus the addition of signage, energy-efficient platform lighting, and a decorative granite wall adjacent to ticket office. The railroad is also starting work on the installation of a pocket track just east of the station that will significantly improve train service and frequency, as well as on-board seat availability.
Sports
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
The U.S. Tennis Association Long Island Region has recognized Michelle Carnovale of Massapequa for her tennis playing in 2012. Michelle was honored for her ranking in the Girls’ 14s on Long Island.
With more than 9,000 members, the Region promotes the growth and development of Long Island tennis and supports USTA programs including Jr. Team Tennis, National Junior Tennis and Learning, High School Tennis, College Tennis, USTA 10 and Under Tennis, USTA League Tennis, and community tennis.
The volunteer-based Board of Directors works with USTA members to create programs and activities for all the tennis players on Long Island, from small children to seniors. For more information, visit www.longisland.usta.com or email ustaonlongisland@gmail.com.
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Last Wednesday the Massapequa Observer A’s had a come-from-behind victory 5-2 over the Trial Lawyer Mets, powered by key hits from Ray Anzelone, Michael Grisanti, and Jason Kopp. Evan “Mariano” Barrow came in again with no outs and the bases loaded to pick up the save.
On Saturday, the Observer A’s beat the Kleer Fax Yankees 4-2. The A’s were down 1-0 into the 4th inning due to an RBI single by Ross Mitton of the Yankees. Anthony Patullo drove in two runs with an RBI triple to give the A’s a 2-1 lead. This was followed by Brendan Castonguay driving in two runs with a double to make the score 4-1. Patullo pitched three solid innings in the start with Castonguay pitching the final three innings for the win.
Calendar
Marine Corps Barbecue
Monday, May 27
Wantagh Preservation Society Meeting
Tuesday, May 28
America’s Boating Course
Tuesday, May 28
Columns
Moving Pictures
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Private Power Isn’t Our Only Option
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Building Better Legislators
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
