Honoring service with meaningful tax relief

When our country calls, our service members answer.

When an emergency strikes here at home, our police officers, volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers answer. I believe Yorktown has a responsibility to stand with them and their families in return.

At the Oct. 6 Town Board meeting, I will introduce four proposed property tax exemption laws and ask the town clerk to schedule public hearings in accordance with the timetable required by New York State law.

The proposals would benefit veterans who are permanently and totally disabled because of their military service; eligible service members who served on active duty in a combat zone; and qualifying surviving spouses of police officers, volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers killed in the line of duty.

No tax exemption can repay a veteran for a life changed by service or make a grieving family whole. But these proposals can provide meaningful support to people who have given so much to defend our freedom and protect our safety.

My commitment to Yorktown’s veterans and first responders means finding practical ways to support them and standing with their families when they need us most. I ask residents to watch for the published hearing dates, come to Town Hall and speak in support of these exemptions. Let’s show those who serve that Yorktown stands with them.