Bee Editorial
Town's mistake shouldn't cost the school districts
No comment at this time. That's basically what Supervisor Satish Mohan told us when questioned about the increased school taxes that resulted from the reduced equalization rate.

He had no comment for the residents who will now see an increase because the town couldn't return to 100 percent assessment. He had no comment for those whose STAR assistance will be reduced. All he had to say was he was going to call the Office of Real Property Services because he thinks all three school districts are wrong. The same people who have calculated school taxes for years are wrong, but he thinks he has it right. Based on what expertise? Your guess is as good as ours.

Enough of the sidestepping. Mohan needs to step up and take responsibility or prove everyone else wrong. But in the meantime watch the mail for those school taxes and save a little extra this time around to pay the bill.

Little by little everyone who was good enough to assess the town for seven years has been removed or left. First it was GAR Associates, then the state pulled its aide, and it's reasonable to think that Mohan will not be reappointing assessor Harry Williams, who has been with the town since 1986.

The statements made by the three school districts - Amherst, Sweet Home and Williamsville - have expressed frustration, and reasonably so. They had to raise their taxes because of something they had no control over, because of something they proactively tried to stop 12 months ago.

The response was "There is still time, still time." Well, there seems to be only one person left in the entire equation who thinks the assessment process is still OK and on track. Only one company said they thought they could reassess the town in time for 2008, but the contract is now floating in an abyss, probably never to see the light of day.

We have been beating this issue to death, following it since January, when the funding for GAR was cut from the assessor's budget. Eight months later, the issue is beyond repair for next year, and who knows if it will be fixed by 2009.

Mohan did have one comment on the 100 percent assessment program. His response was that only 29 percent of towns in Western New York are at that level.

As if that makes his slip and the increase in school taxes OK. Let the supervisor know he can't sidestep anymore and an official response to the matter should be made. If he thinks all three school districts are sending out incorrect bills then make him prove it with figures and facts.