President's Desk

From the June 2007 Issue.

Written by James Altadonna

Tribute to Jack Williams
Underscores Day-to-Day
Battle Against Taxes;
Silver is Tarnished by Double-Dipping

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Nearly all men can withstand adversity. If you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Jack Williams, who recently ompleted his term as President of the NCVOA is an example of the man who has passed the test.

At our 82nd Annual NCVOA Dinner – a truly wonderful event held on May 8th at Crest Hollow Country Club - we were able to honor Jack for his service, as well as for his contributions as a leader throughout his career. The tribute to Jack was well-deserved and his message to us was most appropriate as he outlined the day-to-day responsibilities of village life in Centre Island. His words embodied what all of us strive to do, through the value and reach of village government.

Taxing Topics

The dinner was also a success in that it brought together a strong representation from our member villages, as well as from state, county and town governments. This gave me an opportunity to talk and meet with many of our colleagues. My conversations have made it clear that the overwhelming issue is taxation, especially school taxes. We all share the need for additional state and county funding as we try to maintain our own budgets without passing through new or higher taxes to our residents. I am glad to say that we collectively are addressing many of these issues with our lobbying firm and individual meetings with the appropriate levels of government.

Double Dipping Disables Fairness and Budgets

I am also glad to say that the NCVOA stands united against the current roadblock put up by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to stall the Collateral Source Bill (S.4164/A.2989) that would remove the double-dipping disability pensions for municipal employees. Silver's single-handed effort to prevent passage of this legislation that is a shameful example of catering to "special interests" while ignoring "doing what is right." An unprecedented and still growing coalition of more than 1,300 cities, counties, towns, villages and other government entities throughout the state have called upon the legislature to end this practice of double-dipping. The coalition's support from

Nassau County consists of the County, all of its cities and towns and 53 of the County's 64 villages. Why is there so much support for this Bill? Because everyone recognizes that it would help control soaring pension costs - one of the primary reasons municipalities across the state are being forced to raise taxes. Enough is enough! It is time for the State legislature to pass this legislation to end the double-dipping free rides and reduce the unnecessary financial burden on our hard-working, tax-paying residents. And, if Governor Spitzer is true to his reform mantra, he should sign the Collateral Source Bill without hesitation.

As we move forward, I encourage you all to provide me with your feedback, have open dialogues together to address common issues, and put your support behind legislation like the Collateral Source Bill, which can only benefit our fragile budgets.

Jim Altadonna
Mayor, Village of Massapequa Park
NCVOA President

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