THIS WEDNESDAY (January 13) AT THE GREENBURGH TOWN BOARD MEETING:
DISCUSSION--ELIMINATING PROPERTY OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENT HARTSDALE PARKING COMMISSIONERS
FINANCIAL HEALTH OF HARTSDALE PARKING DISTRICT ---IMPACTS FROM COVID 19
In the 1700s one had to be a property owner to vote in some states. A sad requirement that disenfranchised many citizens from participating in our democracy. Gradually property ownership requirements ended. https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/elections/right-to-vote/the-founders-and-the-vote/
THE HARTSDALE PARKING DISTRICT REQUIRES COMMISSIONERS TO BE PROPERTY OWNERS: To be a Commissioner of the Hartsdale Parking Commission residents have to be a property owner. In 2009 Barry Kessler was appointed by the Town Board as a member of the Hartsdale Parking district. Mr. Kessler, a former School Board member, was advised by the other two members of the Parking district that they would not recognize the appointment- because he did not own property at the time of the assessment rolls were finalized (the property was in his wife's name). He never served.
The Town Board will discuss seeking state legislation to change the law on Wednesday January 13, 2021 at 7:30 PM to enable renters, spouses of property owners to serve. Those wishing to speak or who have comments can e mail townboard@greenburghny.com. I have always found the law very offensive. The law was approved by the State Legislature in the 1950s. There is an article I found from the Library of Congress about property ownership voting requirements that I found interesting. Link below
I have also invited the Hartsdale parking district to provide the public with a report on the financial health of the parking district at this meeting. The pandemic has resulted in parking spots not being used. And the parking district has suffered losses in revenues and finances. At the meeting next Wednesday the Town Board has invited the Parking District to make a presentation to the Town Board on the state of their finances.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor