In support of the Community Preservation Fund

To the editor: I would like to take this opportunity to respond directly to the two gentlemen who have been writing in opposition to the Community Preservation Fund and Real Estate Transfer Tax. Anthony Portelli, as he has described himself, is a hardworking member of our community, holding a full-time job in the Bronx and actively working as a real estate agent. I imagine that Anthony, just like most of us, is working harder to keep up with the rising costs of living. As he eloquently points out, the hard-working middle class is being disenfranchised - not by a future one-time real estate transfer tax, but right now by our fast-rising property taxes. I would think that Anthony must realize that he, like the rest of us, would benefit over the long run from the adoption of the Community Preservation Fund and Real Estate Transfer Tax. And having a mechanism in place that will help contain those costs will also benefit people who move into our community, just as much as retaining the distinctive rural character of the community. I also am pleased to note that Anthony’s beliefs about government involvement in economic development have changed dramatically since his tenure as mayor and his subsequent championing of laissez faire market economics. I would hope that as a real estate agent Anthony would help us locate or develop the compatible commercial enterprises he speaks of. Perhaps that enterprise might even be able to capitalize upon or complement the agricultural base we already have. Matt Sullivan says that the highest and the best use of any land is to house a family. Even if we could preserve all 15,000 acres in the Community Preservation Plan today, that would still leave over two-thirds of our town available for development. Where would Matt rate the use of land by farm families (yes, we’re lucky in Warwick that our farms are family owned and operated) to raise their families and produce the variety of food and products that come off that land? Like Anthony Portelli, Matt and his family would also benefit from the enactment of the Community Preservation Fund and Real Estate Transfer Tax, helping contain his property taxes. Matt contends that it is difficult for people to attend public hearings and meetings. Perhaps that is why he and Anthony did not present their concerns to the Town Board at either the Aug. 17 or 30 hearings on the Community Preservation Plan and Real Estate Transfer Tax when they had an opportunity to have them considered. Their concerns aren’t in the public record. I urge you to look at the facts and vote yes for the Community Preservation Fund on Nov. 7. Penny Steyer Warwick