Warwick: Tax capital of Orange County

To the editor: Why is the special interest group Smart Growth Alliance so willing to turn our community into the tax capital of Orange County? Is it because many of them will directly benefit from this tax the way they have from the PDR Tax? The hard-working middle class people of Warwick have preserved their land and now through the Real Estate Transfer Tax we will be paying to maintain it and improve its structures. This is an insult to every taxpayer. I’m not against open space and community preservation; however, I’m against nonessential taxes that will only benefit a few. The Real Estate Transfer Tax will further disenfranchise the middle class from fulfilling their dream of homeownership in our community. Do you realize the State of New York and Orange County both charge Real Estate Transfer Tax? Warwick is the only town in Orange County that has put the Real Estate Transfer Tax Proposition on the ballot. This tax will escalate the already high closing costs and will, in my opinion make marketing a home more difficult, time consuming and more costly to sellers. Sellers you may have to contribute thousands of dollars toward closing costs. Taxpayers living in the three villages, ask yourself: how your village will directly benefit from this nonessential tax. Let’s welcome newcomers with baskets of produce, not with an entrance fee. Anthony Portelli Warwick