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Health & Fitness

The Coliseum Tax

My thoughts and serious concerns about the new property tax plan to pay for the new $400 million Nassau Coliseum.

There is no question that we’re all concerned about taxes on Long Island. It is one of the greatest challenges facing governments everywhere. As a Glen Cove City Councilwoman, I see firsthand how difficult it is to balance the city's needs for infrastructure repair and operational expenses with the desire to keep taxes as low as possible.

Oftentimes, we have no choice when it comes to expenses: water wells need to be repaired or a road is in need of repaving. On Aug., 1 we as taxpayers will have a choice. A special election is being held to decide if Nassau County should borrow $400 million dollars to build a new Nassau Coliseum. The election itself is costing the taxpayers $2 million, and since it is being held at an unusual time, I feel it is necessary to bring it to everyone’s attention.

County Executive Mangano has proposed that we, the taxpayers of Nassau County assist the Islanders’ billionaire owner Charles Wang in building a new stadium for his hockey team. The cost of this project will cause all Nassau taxpayers to pay an extra 4 percent in property taxes to finance the debt. This tax will stay in place for over 20 years and does not even ensure that all of the expenses will be covered.

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There are many questions that remain unanswered. Although we would all like to see the improvements made, we still don't know the exact cost of construction and future upkeep. We also do not know the way the revenue, if any, will benefit the county. Finally we don't know where Mr. Wang stands with this project. Just a few short years ago, he was ready to pay for the project himself. We need to find out these answers before we as a county agree to pay.

As a fellow taxpayer, I urge you to come out and Vote NO on August 1st! 

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Sincerely,

Delia-DeRiggi-Whitton

Councilwoman

City of Glen Cove

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