In recent "Letters to the Editor" Seth Bykofsky wants to clean up the "evil" of illegal rentals in our communities, together with County Assessor Harvey Levinson, by penalizing severely homeowners who see fit to exercise the right of freedom in how they use their homes and private property. "Quality of life" issues are his stated reasons. Cleaning up garbage or aesthetic concerns for the appearance of a neighborhood is one thing. Attempting to restrict individual freedom of choice in how one's home and private property is used is another. The thousands who supplement their income by giving up their privacy to pay their taxes are also unpaid laborers who maintain the interior and exterior of their homes and property to try to justify the escalating real estate values.

Bykofsky has assumed the role of enforcer and crusader against thousands of homeowners and wants to deal a "death blow" to their individual decisions in how they use their property. In his letters he suggests employing anonymous snitches and time wasting scanning of newspapers to uncover "illegal" renters and "law breakers." Such methods are illegitimate and detestable and are designed to instill fear in homeowners. Snitching, ratting, betrayal of neighbors are reminiscent of dictators who by fear would exercise absolute control over their populations.

Hysteria is not leadership. The underhanded methods suggested would intimidate and make homeowners criminals and destroy communities by setting neighbor against neighbor. We are not ready to surrender our property right freedoms so that Bykofsky, et al, make a name and power grab for themselves.

Bykofsky, et al, need to focus more on county and local government excesses, abuses and fraud, as well as escalating school taxes and expenditures that have created conditions necessitating a change in how thousands of homeowners are forced to live.

Katherine Aliferis

Franklin Square