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Tuesday, November 5, 1968 FARMINGDALE OBSERVER Page 3
Tax Views
By Stanley Feigenbaum
So far, two different proposals
for revising state operating aid
to public schools have been announced.
The first is sponsored
by the New York State Educational
Conference Board. The
second was proposed by William
O'Donnell, Democratic candidate
for the New York State Assembly
from the 9th Assembly District,
which includes part of School District
22 in S. Farmingdale,
Massapequa Park, N. Massa-pequa,
and Plainedge.
The Conference Board proposal
calls for an increase in the
per- pupil aid ceiling to $ 900, and
requires the state to pay an increased
percentage of the costs.
For District 22, this would mean
an increase in per pupil aid from
the present $ 467 to $ 594. It is
e s t i m a t e d that this would be
equivalent to a tax rate reduction
of $ 1.80 per $ 100 assessed value
in the Oyster Bay section of the
district, for the next school year.
Mr. O'Donnell's plan is more
far- reaching. For one thing, it
would eliminate the annual fight
with the legislature about the aid
ceiling. It would set the ceiling at
the state- wide average per- pupil
cost for the previous year. Then,
as costs rise, the ceiling would
rise automatically. This would
make it much easier for the local
school districts to plan their
budgets, since they would know,
in advance, how much s t a t e aid
they would receive. Also, to make
the state an equal partner with the
average district, the O'Donnell
plan would require the state to
pay, on average, 50% of the operating
ceiling.
Mr. O'Donnell believes that all
school districts should have the
same true school tax rate for the
average cost of operating the
school systems. At present, the
wealthy districts have a lower.'
tax rate than the poorer districts
for the same expenditures. To
correct this, the O'Donnell plan
would require all school districts
in the state to set the same
minimum full- value tax rate. In
effect, this would average out the
local rates. Since we are in a district
of high tax rates, our rates
would have to decline to the
average.
In those wealthy d i s t r i c t s,
where the minimum tax rate will
produce more money than is
needed to pay the average cost,
the excess would revert to the
state. In most districts, where
there will not be enough money
collected, the state will make up
the difference, drawing, in part,
on the excess from the wealthy
districts. The amount the state
will be required to pay to each
district will be the difference between
the amount raised by the
minimum tax and either the actual
per- pupil operating cost, or the
s t a t e average operating cost,
whichever is lower.
Since the O'Donnell plan does
not change local control, but deals
only with average costs and
average tax rates, all expenditures
above the average will have
to be financed entirely by the local
district, as is done now.
An analysis of Mr. O'Donnell's
plan shows that District 22 would
receive about $ 606 per pupil from
the state, equivalent to a tax rate
reduction of about $ 1.90 per$ 100
assessed value in the Oyster Bay
section of the district.
Dear Editor:
May I sincerely ( hank you for
your fair news coverage in the
contest for a one year post for
Town of Oyster Bay Councilman.
With the focus on the national
- political contest, the Town of
Oyster Bay Councilmatic race
may seem minor. But both Observer
publications have shown
a keen awareness of its importance.
You have not been a
ploy to political considerations
but have shown respect for your
readers intelligence in fairly
presenting both sides of the Town
Councilman contest.
It is a pleasure to find a newspaper
motivated by publishing
information that is factual and
helpful to their readers.
May your newspaper prosper
and continue its journalistic excellence.
The community should
be proud of your independent
stand and your integrity as publishers.
Endorsements CiuS Coletti
Poulos
George V. CHaire ( D- C) and
Edward J. Poulos Ot- L) are vying
for the newly- created post of
Fourth District Court Judge. Both
are well qualified. O'Haire is
Deputy Town Supervisor and has
done a magnificent job. Our choice
however, is Edward J. Poulos,
' who has Republican as well as
Liberal endorsement.
Marino
Ralph J. Marino ( R), has served
on the Town Board and is majority
leader. His background here
and as a school trustee would
serve us well as State Senator
in Albany. His opposition Richard
B. Schwartz ( D) and Gerald A.
Peragine ( C) don't measure up to
Marino's background or experience.
Incumbent Henry Curran is
not seeking reelection.
AS WE SEE IT
by Sandra and Charles Gersfon
Coletti
The advent of a new school season brings forth, from the depths
of some murky bog, new issues of DEBT, the official flyer of the
. District Educational Body for Taxpayers. Negative in name, approach
a n d p e r s o n a l i t y . r> F^ r_ s e e k s ^ t o " " f a f Au~ soeefcre o* d i v i s i ve
and discordant issueswiiicfl TOe so successful in creating a
rift amongst last years voters. Even while refusing to identify
themselves, DEBT attempted to create a creditility gap between
the established forms of news media and the community and demanded
that we depend only on them for facts. In an early issue
DEBT said, " thereportingofeventsintheLong Island Press, News-day
and Farmingdale Observer are blatant misrepresentation of
facts and events. Honest homeowners who are seeking true facts
are maliciousy abused by lies." These " lies" were never listed,
nor were the accusations substantiated. Isnt it absurd to assume
a conspiracy of the newspapers against Farmingdale?
In the April issue they entiled a paragraph, ** Lang for dissolving
Wyandanch School District." Yet, when the School Board did make a
public statement they unanimously agreed they were against busing
Farmingdale children into Wyandanch. DEBT continued to bring up
the Wyandanch question long after it had been established that the
Board had no authority so far as Wyandanch was concerned.
Even Roy Spinetta, after his election to the School Board, stated that
busing was not an issue. Yet it became an issue in the minds of the
voters because DEBT made it an issue.
Supporters of this organization are now trying to turn our Board
meetings into rabble rousing sessions. They use every underhanded
type of tactic to smear members of the school and library Boards.
Supporters are fed questions in advance and attempt to dominate
the meetings. This preplanning and prearrangement is another
example of the fraud DEBT is perpetrating on the taxpayers. At a
recent Board meeting, one woman revealed that her child is a poor
reader. Although the administration promised to investigate, others
began showing up at meetings with complaints regarding the reading
program. The administration has shown that the reading level of the
Farmingdale students is above New York State average, yet the
criticisms continue. The tactic is to have different people ask the
same questions over and over again, until repetition gives the subject
an air of credibility. Why couldnt these problems be solved
by a private discussion between parent and teacher? Why did
this woman bare her soul during a public forum? What are the
underlying motives for DEBT'S new tactic?
DEBT'S recent headline states " Lang Organizes Teachers,"
a reference to the teacher's affiliation with the AFT. DEBT continues
by writing 300 words on the subject, but not once does it substantiate
the charge. Why does an ex- School Board member continue
to be their whipping- boy? Isnt this just a smoke screen to
cover the feet that it was DEBT'S smears, and not Lang, that convinced
the teachers of the need for a strong union?
DEBT asks for a ' Rejection of all State or Federally funded programs
that require district matching funds in equal amounts
This implys that the government initiates
holds its share of the funding. The truth
and federal governments never approach a school district and offer
funds to initiate an experimental program. The initial request must
come from the school district itself and must be based on the district's
belief that a deficiency exists in some academic area. In this
case, the government will share the expense of a program until such
time that the local system can pick up the program by itself. At
present there are no programs in District 22 which we are obligated
to continue. Only 1/ 2 of 1% of the cost of all District 22 programs are
contributions to federally funded projects.
DEBT objects to any experimental programs. Unfortunately,
no truly pilot programs are currently offered in District 22. However,
to oppose such programs is to oppose educational progress,
and points up DEBT'S reckless and irresponsible attitude towards
the community.
Gus Coletti ( D) is our choice
for the Town of Oyster Bay Councilman
post.
incumbent Philip B. Healey has
b e e n it>, o f f i c e , bj- appointment*
since January and not until late
last summer, did he make an
attempt to address himself to
the critical eel grass problem
in the Great South Bay. While
neighboring bay communities
were working hard on the
problem, Healey should not have
let the golden opportunity pass
when Nassau County dredging
contractors were dredging fill
at no cost to townships to be
used as fill in Seaford for the
sewerage disposal plant. By the
time Healey got around to the
problem it was too late.
We almost think that Healey
is in the wrong post in Oyster
Bay. He tries too hard to be
in so many places at once as a
full time councilman, perhaps
it would be better for all concerned-
if he were given an appointive
position rather than
serving on the Town Board.
Coletti has issued a well-rounded
program for the Massa-pequas
and for Farmingdale.
Healey is content to rest on his
laurels and not come up with what
he intends to do.
HUMPHREY'S VISIT HERE SATURDAY
( Continued from page t)
dale Observer of October 31 pointed out to Congressman Otis G. l i k e,
that we had endorsed Humphrey. He blew a kiss in appreciation. Then the
first Plane arrived, it was the national press group that had been following
Humphrey throughout the United States; the plane flew in from Ohio. The
music was playing this November Day, the day was warm and full of sunshine
we all felt so comfortable and protected. Congressman Pike addressed
the crowds and said, " L e t ' s take the Vice out of Washington. Let's make our
great Vice President, the next President of the United States. He said that the
Suffolk County Democratic Leader had had so little faith in a large crowd
and apologized for the way the crowd was on top of each other in the section
in front of the platform. He said that he guessed he didn't want the crowd to
look small in comparison with Nixon's crowd at MacArthur he should
have known that you people, may come around a little late in the Democratic
Party, but you come through in the end."
The Vice President's plane arrived and this magnificent man, looking
tanned, healthy and young and vigorous came down the plane steps. He
was greeted by cheers from the crowd. He joined Pike on the Platform and
the Vice President began talking to the friendly crowd. And then the microphone
went dead: the electricity failed. Pike picked up a megaphone and
handed it to the Vice President. " We Democrats may not be as slick and
have as much money as the well organized Nixon team - where this would
never have happened, but - we improvise". The crowd was with him and
then as he spoke with great effort through the makeshift device be said,
We Democrats may have arguments among ourselves, but at the end we get
together but this is democracy. With humor he said, " We have on this
platform Paul O'Dwyer, who was a little late, but it's all right, he came
through in t i m e . " Then he said, I would introduce you people to someone else
on the platform, a ixjy who is the product of the l^ verty Program, which I
authored, the very Poverty Program, which Nixon wants to abolish. This
magnificent young American has brought glory to this country he has come back
from Mexico City with the Gold Medallion, for the United States for the he •. v
weight boxing championship of the world. And there stoodGeorge Foreman, a
tall Negro American with the gold medallion around his neck, and a small
American flag in his hand. This brought tears to theeyesof this reporter as
she felt ashamed of herself not to have seen the light e a r l i e r , not to have
endorsed Humphrey, this very great man whole heartedly.
And then the electricity came on for the microphone, and Humphrey
with his humor said, " Oh we all see, the Democrats may be slow and not so
slick, but we come through in the end". The applause was thundering.
As Jose and I were lead through the barricades to the left exit by Pokress,
our photographer, we happened to land at the very spot where Vice President
was entering his limousine. Half in, I said, " Mr. Vice President, 1 want
you to met my Rotary F. xchange student from Mexico". This considerate
".'. man got- back out of the car, as if he had all the time in the world and shook
'•' hand's with Jose and asked him alxnit his home town, Chihua and where he
went to high school ( Farmingdale Senior High School). And then I said,
Mr. Vice President, I'm a Republican voting for you, and my husband and I
publish two newspapers, The Farmingdale Observer and the Massapequa
Observer and we endorsed you. He then said, " My dear, how did you ever
reach this conclusion. And I told him about prayerfully considering my
decision and how I was led to emplify to the words of Dwight D. Eisenhower
in the November Readers Digest 1 told him when Ike wrote in " Thoughts of
the Presidency" that the personal characteristics needed in a great President
were ' humor' ' humility' the ability to choose the right staff. 1 said, and
your first decision was choosing a Muskie and Nixon's an Agnew. And I
thought of the kind of men you would choose for the Cabinet and the justices
of the United States Supreme Court and then I knew there was only one logical
choice, you were the one." He said. Bless you and got back
into the limousine for his t r ip to Levittown.
We got into a New York City Press bus on wings, I guess ( The Nassau
County Press bus was stuck) and just sat and thought of this very moving
experience. The Press Aide sitting in front of me turned to talk to me. I
noticed an accent and asked. She said I'm not yet a citizen. I came from
South Africa. It was The Vice President that got me my visa to come into
this country. She said but t h a t ' s not why I'm a Press Aide because of the magnificence
of this man, and I felt ashamed that I had written only a left handed
endorsement on Wednesday. Now ifLLcould do it over again, I would write
an endorsement with such conviction of the greatness of this man.
We looked outside the window when we got off the parkway to Hempstead
Turnpike in Bethpage and saw lines of people and c a r s . One car had Vote
Row C and we cringed. And then we stopped. It was the Vice President's
car that had stopped. He was out of his car talking with the people at that
spot. The police escort continued and we were soon at Times Square in
Levittown. There we were escorted by the police in front of the speakers
platform, with only the Secret Service agents in front of us and the Vice
President at the dais. The emotion of MacArthur was gone. The humor and
oppla of the happy occasion of the friendly surging crowds was here. Humphrey
was saying " We even have a balloon today, the biggest balloon, Before this
Nixon had his dozens of balloons." We saw the friendly faces of Gus Cole
t t i , Demorcratic candidate for Town of Oyster Bay Councilman, Jack English,
and the reassuring face of William O'Connell, Democratic candidate
for the 9th Assembly district and a sea of other dignitaries, including
Michaej N. Petito, Supervisor of the Town of Oyster Bay and County Executive
Eugene Nickerson. And it was Mr. Nickerson who leaned over to take
my Farmingdale Observer to give to the Vice President after the
and introductions were ended. It was a gay spirit, a happy spirit, and as
we stood lost in the crowd from our photographer's Judge Al Vitale and
his very lovely family came to our rescue to take us back home to Farmingdale.
It was the most moving experience of our whole life. And to think
up until ten days ago 1 could have voted wrong. Our endorsement would
read differently if we could have a chance to correct our first editorial.
We endorse Humphrey because he is a very great man, a kind man, considerate,
with great discerning ability to choose the right men on his staff.
We would feel very safe, to place the destiny of the United States and that
of the world's in such very safe hands as those of Hubert Humphrey.
Ginsberg 8th AD
Incumbent Assemblyman Martin
Ginsberg ( R) has won the
respect of both parties in the
8 A. D. His opponents Lewis
J. Yevoli CD), John R. Kappler
( C) and Donald R. Gaudio cant
measure up. Ginsberg is a dedicated
public servant and should
be returned to Albany.
VI r u u u i d i i . y IUIIUCU yiv—
nds in equal amounts
I programs and then with- JfctrmtUUuaU ( DlUif H W
of the matter is, the state cr -'
Published every Thursday by
THE OBSERVES. INC
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Frank f. KU- sh - Caroline l » . Kleal
Editors and Publiahen
The Farmingdale ( Observer is
entered as second class matter
at the Farmingdale Post
office, Farmingdale, New York
with publishers office at 33
MerriM Road.
Endorsements Javits
The senior Senator from New York, Jacob J. Javits gets our
sincere endorsement. He has been a good friend for many years.
We don't change good friends nor do we change our endorsements
because a liberal Republican is not in favor this year. His major
opponents are Paul O'Dwyer ( D) and James L. Buckley ( C). We
want to keep Javits in the United States Senate.
Baker And Vitale
Of the five candidates for County Court Judge we will vote for
Edward A. Baker CR- C) and Alexander ViteJe ( DX The others
running are Allan E. Meyers ( L) t Henry W. Schober ( D- L) and
Harold M. Spiteer ( R- CX
Speno
The author of over 260 laws , Senator Edward J. Speno and his
14 year record of accomplishment in the area of public education
and safety in office, has made him one of New York State's outstanding
legislators and rates among the most respected, especially
among his colleagues.
The Democrat opponent David Schechter has a most interesting
background and an excellent grasp of the issues favoring the State
today Since he is pitted against a Goliath in Speno, 1 hope that he
will be asked to run again by the Democratic party, but in an equal
race. The Conservative candidate is James E. Morrow.
