To the Editor:

As a resident and taxpayer in Tisbury since 1980, I request that all resident senior citizens (65-plus) be exempt from any proposed tax increase for the contemplated construction of the Tisbury Elementary School.

Seniors receiving Social Security in 2018 received a 2 percent increase ($40 on average per month), 0.3 percent increase in 2017 ($4 a month), and 0 percent increase in 2016.

Most seniors living on Martha’s Vineyard are beset with financial constraints in their respective “pursuit of happiness” for their golden years. The possibility of seniors being taxed an additional $100 per month for this project is of most concern. Seniors in Tisbury have paid their dues many times over for our town.

Save the Tisbury School!

Frederick Rundlet
Tisbury

3 replies on “Seniors should be exempt from school costs”

  1. Frederick —Not so sure I agree with you. I am taken aback by your assertion that “Seniors in Tisbury have paid their dues many times over for our town. ” According to the fiscal year for 2018 budget, the town is appropriating nearly $ 2 million (1,961,500) for interest payments. If the average interest charge to the town is 6 % , that means the town, and the younger residents here are saddled with with about $33 million worth of debt racked up by your generation. Now, I appreciate that some seniors have a tough time with the financial situation here, but so do young people. I find it unacceptable that they are starting off with this debt.
    I certainly don’t want to disrespect your opinion, but the facts do not back you up.
    Just for the record– I am 65, have lived on the vineyard since 1986, and I am voting for the new school. Not because I want my taxes to go up, but because I want the next generation to have a better education than we did. And perhaps, with that education, they will not leave their children with their debts.

  2. Dondondon and I agree on something for a change. I question why the seniors, aren’t getting the residential exemption if they are in fact year round residents. There are other exemptions out there as well, legally blind exemption, military etc. As many people don’t know Fred, you just don’t want the school because it will be moving even closer to you as it was before. Since you’ve been back you have been raising holy hell about anything to do with the school so just hating on the school is what this is all about. Let’s be transparent Fred, your thought to make it exempt is just another ploy after the fact it passed at town meeting. If you were sincere you’ve had over 2 years to bring this up but didn’t.

    Town meeting on the 3rd night was mostly over 65. They approved everything and didn’t vote one thing down. They had their chance to vote no and not raise their taxes but they didn’t.

    You’re negativism toward the school is apparent when facts come to light.

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