Letters

Southampton Village residents have recently received their real estate tax bills. The bills contain the wording “The Full Market Value,” and it gives a non-sensible low ball number.

In my grievance hearing with Bill Manger and Gina Arresta, they assured me this wording would be corrected this year. But, of course, they were untruthful. Why did I object to the wording? Because the dollar amount given is nowhere near the truth, and suggesting that fair market value has anything to do with your assessed value is a deception.

Look at your last year’s bill. You will see that assessed value is the same as this year, even though they changed the fair market value amount. They start with the assessed value and back into the full market value. Full market value has nothing to do with the computation of the assessed value. It should but it doesn’t.

Why do the trustees continue this untruthfulness and deception? Because they use the power of their office to punish select residents and to satisfy their own greed. Note that they refuse to even tell residents how assessed values are actually determined. They like treating each of you as fools.

What is the result this deceit and the use of an arcane and unfair system? The residents of 16 Windward Way are charged $1,411 in village taxes. If they were charged at the same ratio as residents on Ox Pasture Road, they would be charged $450. Almost $1,000 a year in excess village taxes. The residents of 53 Windward Way are charged an excess of over $700 a year. I could give you a score of additional examples.

I believe that most of this community cares about others. I believe that the community is concerned that residents who can least afford it are being forced to pay a disproportionate share of the village tax burden.

The good people of this community need to get involved. They need to attend trustee meetings and be vocal. They need to write letters to the editor. They need to directly communicate to the mayor and trustees. Being passive enables Manger, et al., to continue to pursue their selfish interests and ignore everyday residents.

If you are someone who cares about others, get involved.

David Rung

Southampton Village