Board member defends comments

Throughout my tenure on the Amherst Town Board, I have tried to remember the story of Solomon, who realized that in governing a nation, the most valuable of gifts is "an understanding heart." (1 Kings 3:9 (New American Translation). Thus, I take strong exception to your recent editorial, which suggests that Amherst should reject all notions of empathy in formulating condominium policy.

Your editorial falsely asserts that I based my position exclusively on personal experience, rather than on policy considerations. In response, I invite everyone to watch the recording of my remarks. Had your reporter listened, she would have heard the following introduction to my statement: "I will not be able to support the resolution in its current form ... [W]hen we talk about unfair tax discrimination, I think this would constitute a tax increase. Condominium status allows a predominantly senior citizen population to live affordably in our town, despite having a fixed income."

As disclosed at the board meeting, I enjoy the blessing of parents who could move to Amherst due to the availability of affordable condominiums. Your editorial states that because the proposed law would grandfather their current tax status, I should have had no objection to the tax increase. Clearly, you miss the point.

Elected officials serve all citizens. It is simply wrong to suggest that because my own parents were already protected, I should vote to tax other similarly situated residents. I base my position on both rationality and empathy. To suggest (as some council members have) that condominium status gives rise to "unfair" advantages is to wrongly stigmatize Amherst's law-abiding, predominantly senior citizen owners of condominiums, patio homes, and other deed-restricted properties. Condominium status can serve as a useful tool to benefit this important constituency.
Deborah Bruch Bucki
Council Member