Opinion: Cold War Veterans should not be penalized

Dear Editor,

When will Tioga County and the town of Owego stop discriminating against honorably discharged service personnel who served during the Cold War period of Feb. 1, 1955 to Jan. 31, 1961 (among other specific periods)? A reserve status extended the service commitment for an additional three to four years beyond the separation date.

New York State had adopted the exemption in 2007 and revised it to remove the ten-year limit. Most of the municipalities in the state have recognized New York State law. 

Was the time honorably served any less appreciated than other veterans who are currently and have been receiving exemptions?

“The Cold War Veteran is defined as someone who served from September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991. The exemption in which the Legislature passed and then Governor Spitzer signed into law in 2007 provides for a real property tax exemption for Cold War veterans and permits each county, city and village to adopt a local law to provide the exemption for qualifying residential real property. 

“Under the State statute the duration of the basic exemption is ten years, and commences with the first status date occurring on or after the effective date of the local law allowing the exemption. 

“Under this proposal, a municipality or school district can by local law or ordinance extend the duration of the basic exemption, as long the qualifying owners of the qualifying real property remain the qualifying owner.

“Allow for a county, city, town, village or school district that has adopted a local law or resolution to grant the Cold War veterans exemption for a ten-year period to adopt additional local law or resolution to extend such exemption to qualifying owners of qualifying real property for as long as they remain qualifying owners, without regard to such ten-year limitation.”

I believe this is something that should be addressed by the county, town and respective school boards. When I last requested action, I was told that the county must first approve it and then the town board would consider it. This is the proverbial catch 22.

I have been a resident and payer of property and school taxes since 1973. I realize there are not many of us out here, but those that live in this community do deserve to be recognized for our commitment to serve. We should not be penalized for the fact that there was no official hostile action at the time.

Respectfully

Roger R. Williams

Apalachin, N.Y.